We are thrilled to share that Kelly Hoey, Executive Director of HIEC and ApprenticeSearch.com, has been named a finalist for the 2024 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards for the Social Change: National Impact Award category. These prestigious awards, now in their 32nd year, are Canada’s foremost recognition of the country’s leading women entrepreneurs. The awards are an initiative of Women of Influence+, an organization dedicated to advancing the achievements of Canadian women.
“It’s an incredible honour to be recognized among such inspiring women. I joined HIEC over 30 years ago to support the organization’s vision to increase collaboration between industry and education and to help connect young people to the world of work. That mission is more important now than ever. Helping young people and career changers feel positive about the future of work and finding education and training aligned with their aspirations is paramount. We often say we help with the next step in finding your place in the labour market of today and tomorrow,” said Kelly Hoey, Executive Director of HIEC and ApprenticeSearch.com.
“Over the years, HIEC has evolved into a national organization with over 40 employees driving our mission of supporting career development, workforce development and mentorship – some of our initiatives, like ApprenticeSearch.com, have scaled to be Canada-wide. This recognition celebrates not just my journey but the transformative impact we’ve had together as a team, and all the volunteers, industry partners and champions who have helped along the way.”
From a pool of nominations that spanned the entire country, 21 Finalists from coast to coast have been selected to represent 7 Award Categories. The Social Change: National Impact Award is dedicated to a female entrepreneur who is an exceptional leader of a registered charity, social enterprise, or not-for-profit dedicated to their unique brand of social change at a national or international level. Hoey is one of three Regional Finalists being recognized in this category, representing the Central-Ontario Region.
The winners will be announced and celebrated in person at the 32nd Annual Awards Gala on Friday, November 8, 2024. This inspiring red-carpet event will occur again at the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto. During this special event, nominees, executives, dignitaries, and notable industry guests will come together for an evening of celebration and meaningful connection with business and nonprofit leaders nationwide.
The RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards recognize women business owners across Canada who make impressive and substantial contributions to the local, Canadian, or global economy. These awards recognize businesswomen and leaders of non-profits from three major regions across Canada: East, Central, and West. All nominees must submit thorough applications, which are reviewed and judged by a panel of prominent business leaders and subject to a due diligence review performed by Deloitte.
“The 2024 finalists exemplify the remarkable impact of women entrepreneurs in today’s business world,” said Dr. Rumeet Billan, CEO of Women of Influence+. “They lead with purpose, inspire through action, and demonstrate the power of vision and commitment. We are proud to spotlight their achievements and pave the way for a new generation of leaders who will continue to drive meaningful change.”
HIEC is a not-for-profit social enterprise focusing on partnership, mentorship and workforce development. With 35 years of experience as an active community-focused organization, HIEC develops and delivers innovative programs and services that leverage technologies, advance community collaboration, strengthen economic development, inspire mentorship, and help young people succeed. HIEC strives to empower youth in their career exploration and contribute to overall mental wellness in relation to future planning and opportunities.
One of HIEC’s most successful programs is ApprenticeSearch.com. Launched in 1999, ApprenticeSearch.com is a first-of-its-kind online matching service that connects job seekers and employers in the skilled trades.
Since then, ApprenticeSearch.com has established itself as a leader in supporting apprentices and employers. After 23 years of successful operation in Ontario, ApprenticeSearch.com launched nationally in 2022, and is now a national solution to workforce development issues related to the need for skilled trades workers.
ApprenticeSearch.com has addressed and removed barriers to apprenticeship by helping candidates find jobs, and has made it easier for small, medium and large Ontario employers to hire the skilled workers they need to grow their businesses.
The 2024 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards are presented by Women of Influence+. Award presenters include RBC, TELUS Health, and Bell. The official Due Diligence partner is Deloitte and the gift sponsors are Bulova and Dean Davidson.
About the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards
The RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards are the pre-eminent national business awards recognizing the country’s leading women entrepreneurs. The awards are an initiative of Women of Influence+, an award-winning global organization dedicated to advancing women in the workplace.
About Women of Influence Worldwide Inc.
At Women of Influence+ (WOI+), our ethos is rooted in making meaningful and impactful change. We do this by placing ourselves and our community in positions of influence and power — places where we can drive transformation. We are dedicated to sharing and elevating the unfiltered success stories of a diverse group of role models. We know that when done right, from the podium or the page, these stories not only inspire, educate, and connect — they start to redefine our perceptions of gender roles and abilities. We are changing the narrative.
For interview requests or further information, please contact:
Meghan Paton, Communications Manager, HIEC-ApprenticeSearch.com, mpaton@hiec.on.ca
Amanda Kruzich, Program Director, Women of Influence+, akruzich@womenofinfluence.ca
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