Women in Business | Yes, things are moving and there is hope

The glass ceiling has cracked in business, but it is holding strong. Despite everything, things are progressing. Recent years have opened the door to another, more inclusive form of leadership. Not to mention that programs and initiatives designed to help women advance are multiplying.

Ruth Vachon has been President and CEO of the Quebec Business Women’s Network (RFAQ) since 2010. She is therefore at the forefront of the changes that are slowly but surely taking place in Quebec for women.

She cites the example of the RFAQ support cells, which wish to stimulate cooperation between businesswomen and entrepreneurs. “These cells have existed for 35 years and they evolve over time,” she emphasizes. The more women who rise in organizations, the more opportunities there are for female entrepreneurs. »

Professor in the management department at ESG UQAM Christina Constantinidis agrees. Business women’s networks are a very powerful lever, according to her.

“They offer funding, mutual assistance and the opportunity to meet women who experience the same reality as us. When you are in a male environment, you can feel alone. The informal atmosphere allows you to drop the mask and be yourself. It leads to business collaborations and mutual trust. »

She also notes that role models are extremely important for women.

Ruth Vachon adds that the snowball effect of all these small initiatives is real. “The Quebec Business Women awards allow, for example, to see a multitude of models in all under-represented groups. It’s one of the best ways to show the strength of ambition. »

Diversify the supply chain

The RFAQ also launched the Maïa project earlier this year, to help women small business owners do business with large companies. The idea is welcome, when only 1% of annual purchases in the supply chains of large companies are made from SMEs led by women.

In a few months, Maïa has already managed to rally a dozen large organizations across the country. “They can thus easily diversify their suppliers while stimulating the growth of small, female-owned companies. »

The RFAQ will continue to build the platform in the coming months in order to “maximize its impact”. “The market that women have to work together is great,” believes the CEO.

Action in the region

Some incubators or accelerators now focus on women or, at the very least, offer programs specifically for them.

Initiatives are growing in Montreal, but also increasingly in the regions, notes Ruth Vachon. COlab, an organization in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, has notably set up a program targeting students in the science, technology, engineering, digital arts and mathematics sectors who have a business project .

“The organization wants to instill in them the entrepreneurial spirit, give them leadership and networking skills and support them in their business approach,” explains Christina Constantinidis.

Take your place

Michel-Ann Champagne took over the Expertbâtiment group founded by his father in 2022. If his path has been traced since he was 18, it has nevertheless been strewn with obstacles. She notably recounts having been refused an inspection contract because we preferred to have a man.

She carved out a place at the head of the company by studying in the field – in civil engineering – before occupying every possible role in the organization. “I grew up with the company,” she sums up.

Under his leadership, Expertbâtiment changed its approach. “My way of doing things is much more collaborative. I surrounded myself with people with whom I could build a business that corresponded to my values. »

Even if the company of 178 employees does not have a program for women, it is parity at all levels. “We are very well balanced in our gender distribution,” rejoices Michel-Ann Champagne. We have advisors, project managers (with and without e), directors, vice-presidents and a president. »