Ocean Brands is accountable to our core values and our mission to feed the body, love the work, respect the planet, and champion equity. Championing Equity challenges us to do more than speak about inclusion; it calls on us to take meaningful action to create opportunity and representation in leadership at every level.
Over the past several years, we have built a strong connection with Minerva BC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating women in leadership. Through Minerva’s programs, several of our team members have completed leadership development training as part of our succession and future leadership bench planning. Their growth and contributions demonstrate the impact that intentional investment in equity can have on our organization.
We are now taking this commitment a step further by supporting Minerva’s Youth Leadership Program called LEARNING TO LEAD™. This program understands the needs of young people as they discover themselves and navigate key transitions between high-school and post-secondary, and eventually the labour market. Learning to Lead™ is a leadership program designed for self-identified girls in grades 10-12, helping participants develop their confidence through interactive workshops that identify their key strengths and core values, while shaping how they can positively impact the world around them.
Program participants learn from expert facilitators, inspiring guest speakers, as well as corporate and community leaders. By bringing in a variety of relatable, accomplished women working in a range of fields, the program aims to combat stereotypes that hold girls back. Programs are delivered virtually and in-person to ensure wide access to youth across British Columbia, including rural and remote communities. Programming is also delivered in Prince George, continuing Minerva’s longstanding commitment to serving young women in the North.
Ocean Brands’ decision to invest in Minerva’s work reflects who we are as a company, and it demonstrates commitment to the mission. By supporting both emerging and future women leaders, we are contributing to a more equitable workplace, a stronger leadership pipeline, and a more inclusive community. Our commitment will also afford us new opportunities to work even closer with Minerva in the years ahead.
