Exemplifying a mission: Futurpreneur Canada ceo julia deans honoured as ywca woman of distinction
Signature annual event recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of women and girls
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO, CANADA – MARCH 8TH, 2018 – Nominated and selected by their peers, Women of Distinction are leaders in their fields whose work improves the lives of women and girls across Toronto, Canada, and the world. A true champion for women in business and the economy, Futurpreneur CEO Julia Deans will be honoured for her long list of successes by YWCA Toronto on May 24, 2018.
“Like the amazing women who have received this distinction before me, I am doing everything I can to help Canadian girls and women realize their aspirations and potential, and to get more female leaders at the highest levels of our organizations,” said Deans. “By connecting women to skills, resources, and opportunities to build and promote their stories, I believe that we can accelerate gender equality and create the future that our country wants and needs.”
As CEO of Futurpreneur Canada, Deans’ passion for connecting people to the resources and opportunities they need has helped the organization’s Start-Up Program to support more than 10,000 young people in launching new businesses – 40 per cent of them women.
Deans joined Futurpreneur in January 2013 with a track record of success in the corporate, entrepreneurial, non-profit and public service sectors. She practiced law with Torys LLP in Toronto and Hong Kong before taking the leap into entrepreneurship. She built a business in Singapore before becoming CEO of CivicAction and later chairing the panel that developed Ontario’s first immigration strategy.
Named as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network in 2014 and 2017, Deans has received many accolades and awards for the impact of her work and volunteerism including the University of Toronto’s Arbor Award. She has been recognized as a Woman of Influence – Canadian Diversity Champion and served on the board of the International Women’s Forum (Canada).
A graduate of Queen’s University, Columbia University, Osgoode Hall Law School, and Harvard Business School Executive Education, Deans is qualified to practice law in Ontario, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong.
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About Futurpreneur Canada
Futurpreneur Canada has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of enterprising young Canadians since 1996. We’re the only national, non-profit organization that provides resources, financing and mentoring to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Our internationally recognized mentoring program matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of over 3,000 volunteer mentors.
Futurpreneur is a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance, the Canadian member of Youth Business International, and the Canadian host of Global Entrepreneurship Week.
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For interview opportunities and media inquiries, please contact:
Zandra Miljan
Public Affairs and Media Relations
Futurpreneur Canada
Call or Text: 647-680-8165
Email: zmiljan@futurpreneur.ca