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After an immersive morning in the Community Wealth LabÌýbetween University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ students of Sustainable Business Models, Health, Environment, and Planning courses,Ìýstudents from Conestoga College, and a variety of community business leaders,ÌýÌýthe conversation will turn to a WICI-WISIR panel discussion on the topic of Community Wealth.

The Panelists:

Naudia Banton, Manager of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region Small Business Centre, isÌýan innovative force with a background in entrepreneurship and talent management, Naudia has worked across industries such as publishing, health care, insurance, education, and manufacturing. Known for her energy and drive she helped build À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region’s first Women Entrepreneurs Bootcamp, recently opened the regions newest innovation space focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and currently manages the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region Small Business Centre.

Trevor Charles, Executive Director of LiftOff, Professor of Biology, and Director of the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Centre for Microbial Research, isÌýa microbiologist, trained at UBC, McMaster and University of Washington with a focus on Circular Bioeconomy and Sustainable Development.ÌýTrevor is also the founder, CEO, and CSO of the bioscience start-up Metagenom Bio Life Science. LiftOFF is the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ region’s first and only Black-led incubator and accelerator program.Ìý

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Eric AvnerÌýisÌýPresident and CEO of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region Community Foundation.Ìý As the region grows to one million residents, Eric is working with the board of directors, committees and team at WRCF to ensure our communities are equitable, connected, and sustainable, and our people are thriving. Eric collaborates locally, provincially, and nationally to amplify voices, maximize resources, and co-create solutions linked to WRCF's core area of focus: building social infrastructure across À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ region.

Carla Leon, President and CEO of Just Like Family Home Care, is an innovator, having spearheaded the first social acquisition by charities in Canada, and transforming Just Like Family into a Social Enterprise, with the majority of profits going to charities.ÌýDuring her career, Carla has provided leadership, coaching, mentorship, and education to thousands of entrepreneurs and small business owners. She strives to make a social impact, transforming home care across Canada for franchise owners and the families they support. She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from University of British Columbia.

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The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Sean Geobey, Director of WICI, Co-Director of WISIR, and Professor in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development at the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ. Sean Geobey applies expertise in social innovation theory, sustainable finance, planning, governance, and decision-theory to his research, teaching, and social innovation labs.

In-person attendees will be provided a light lunchÌýand an opportunity for informal networking at the start of the event. The talk is open to all WICI and/or WISIRÌýmembers, University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ students, and the public, but guests must register to be included in the lunch!Ìý

Can't make it in person?Stay tuned for a recording of the session, which we will share in a future newsletter, and/or join the discussion at the next Community Lab event on Wednesday, March 27th.