Category: Community News

Community Achievement Award: Calgarian of the Year presented to Heather Culbert

Exciting News!

Axis Connects is thrilled to celebrate our incredible co-founder and board chair, Heather Culbert, who has been honoured with the prestigious Community Achievement Award: Calgarian of the Year!

Heather’s impact on Calgary is nothing short of extraordinary. After nearly three decades in the oil and gas sector, she dedicated herself to community service, leaving an indelible mark on our city. Her leadership and innovation have driven countless initiatives, enhancing the lives of Calgarians.

From her pivotal roles as chair of SAIT’s Board of Governors and co-chair of the Promising Futures Campaign to her relentless efforts with Board Ready Women and Axis Connects, Heather’s dedication to advancing women in business is unparalleled. She has also made significant contributions as a trustee for the Alberta Cancer Foundation and as past chair for United Way of Calgary and Area, among many other roles.

One of Heather’s most significant achievements is her leadership in the OWN.CANCER campaign, raising an astounding $225 million towards the new Arthur JE Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre. This centre, set to open this year, will revolutionize cancer treatment in North America, thanks to Heather’s tireless efforts and the support of many volunteers and donors.

Join us in congratulating Heather Culbert on this well-deserved recognition! Her passion, vision, and dedication are truly inspirational.

Global News Calgary: CIWB Highlight

Global News Calgary covers the 2024 Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards.

“The community should be very, very proud of the amazing role models we have in Calgary. Calgary is a true enabler, and that is why this is so exciting. Calgary corporations are getting behind this initiative, and it’s helping our community grow,” remarks Heather Culbert, Axis Connects Co-founder and board chair.

Reflecting on her achievement as the recipient of the Large Enterprise Award, Doreen Cole expresses, “Winning this award to me means that I am given the opportunity to represent the many successful women that are part of large business in the energy sector here in Calgary.”

Wendy Beauchesne, recipient of the Social Enterprise Award, shares her thoughts, stating, “As a winner, I do think it is a reflection of the project I get to be a part of, which is the new cancer centre opening in less than 6 months. It is truly going to be a cancer centre built for the community by the community, and if this is a reflection of that, then I am very, very proud.”

CTV News Calgary: CIWB Highlight

Coverage of the 2024 Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards by CTV News Calgary.

Hear from Doreen Cole, recipient of the Large Enterprise Award, as she shares her perspective on the promising future for women in Calgary. In Doreen’s words, “There are so many women who are accomplishing major deals, projects, investments, opportunities, and pursuing thoughts all across the province and very early in their careers“.

“The Awards are so important to profile exceptional women and male champions in our city,” says Heather Culbert, Co-founder and board chair of Axis Connects.”So people in our city can see it. If they can see it, they can be it!”

‘A slow-moving machine’: Calgary’s top businesswomen taking charge as gender gaps prevail

Axis Connects and two CIWB Award winners, Lorraine Mitchelmore and Jennifer Massig, had the opportunity to speak with Matt Scace Calgary Herald yesterday on gender parity in leadership. We are proud to be celebrating female leaders and male allies at the CIWB Awards, Presented by National Bank Financial and TransAlta who are committed to changing the status quo and advancing diversity in leadership roles.

“This year’s recipients have “set a tone and pace of strong leadership and haven’t backed away from challenges, and have addressed them head-on,” said Nuvyn Peters, CEO of Axis Connects”

Join us in congratulating this year’s winners, who will be honoured at the gala this evening: Lorraine Mitchelmore, Wendy Beauchesne, Jennifer Massig, Doreen Cole P.Eng. ICD.D, Alicia Quesnel and Bryan de Lottinville

CIWBAwards2024

READ HERE

Amplifying Diverse Voices: Advancing Women in Leadership

Today on Collisions YYC, Amber Griffith had the pleasure of being back on the show to share the latest from Axis Connects! Join us in championing gender diversity and leadership equality at our flagship event of the year: the Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards, Presented by National Bank Financial and TransAlta! Last chance to grab your ticket for tomorrow: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2024-calgary-influential-women-in-business-ciwb-awards-tickets-872174416157?aff=Axiswebsite

Calgary Chamber: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Forum

 

Last night, Axis Connects proudly supported the Calgary Chamber in presenting the sold-out Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Forum, a pivotal event sparking insightful dialogue and actionable strategies. As a supporting sponsor, we were thrilled to contribute to an evening dedicated to fostering positive change within corporate environments.

The forum featured an esteemed panel including Alex Gysen, TD Regional Manager of 2SLGBTQ+ Business Development in the Prairies, Daniel Monzon, Entrepreneur and Founder of Catapult Startups, and Rachel Wade, Director of DEI & Employee Experience at Alberta Investment Management Corporation. Guided by Brian Lanier, Founder & CEO of The Leaders Circle, these passionate panelists shared invaluable insights into cultivating diverse and inclusive workplaces.

Throughout the discussion, attendees gained a deeper understanding of the profound connection between diversity and organizational performance, the importance of intersectionality, and the transformative potential of inclusive hiring practices. Panelists underscored the significance of becoming employers of choice for immigrants and underrepresented communities, emphasizing the competitive advantage that diversity brings to businesses.

POST EVENT RECAP 

Opinion: Investing in women must start with investing in good data

Pleased to partner with the Business Council of Alberta once again to help lead the charge on gender equity in the economy!

“With old or outdated or non-existent data, we don’t know how well we are progressing. Gender data scarcity is not merely a statistical inconvenience, it has real-world implications.”

Nuvyn Peters and Adam Legge ‍‍

https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-investing-in-women-must-start-with-investing-in-good-data

Axis Connects welcomes inaugural CEO, Nuvyn Peters

CALGARY, AB, – Axis Connects board chair, Heather Culbert, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nuvyn Peters, Chief Executive Officer.

Peters joins Axis as a seasoned executive with a track record of achievement in campaigns, community engagement, leadership development and strategy. “I am delighted to have Nuvyn at the helm of Axis as the organization continues to accelerate efforts to advance gender diversity in leadership,” notes Culbert.

Last year, Peters launched a consulting firm, Peters & Associates, committed to helping nonprofit organizations amplify their vision and impact. In her previous role as VP, Advancement at the University of Calgary, Peters led the ambitious $1.3B Energize campaign. Peters’ unique vision to develop a culture of lifelong philanthropic engagement earned the University of Calgary a place on the Globe and Mail’s list of the top 25 fundraising institutions in Canada.

As CEO of Axis Connects, Peters will lead the organization in its mission to advance gender diversity in leadership. “Gender diversity at the leadership table matters and I am honored to build upon Axis’ tremendous success. This is an organization committed to changing leadership: through its programs, workshops, networks and events, Axis supports and propels women in their leadership journey,” says Peters.

Peters first earned her reputation as a philanthropic leader as Development Director of the Tahirih Justice Centre, an organization in Washington, DC that protects women and girls fleeing human rights abuses and gender-based persecution. Through subsequent leadership positions, including management of Georgetown University’s $1.5B campaign, Peters continues to be an influential leader. She was named one of Canada’s top newsmakers of the week by Maclean’s magazine, and is a recipient of Avenue magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” (2016) and Canada’s “Top 40 Under 40” (2018).

Organizational Profile

Axis Connects is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing gender diversity in the business community. With over 4,000 individuals in its network, Axis creates and facilitates programs, workshops, mentorship opportunities and networking events geared at advancing more women into positions of leadership. Axis Connects also hosts the annual Calgary Influential Women in Business awards, to be held on April 12th. This event recognizes 6 outstanding individuals, (5 women and 1 man), for their significant accomplishments in leadership and championing women’s initiatives.