For Immediate Release
Challenging companies to address the critical need for diversification on boards in Canada
VANCOUVER, BC, October 13, 2020 – Two Black Canadian women executives have launched a company that will give corporations access to executive, board ready candidates from the Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) community. Recognizing the gap, Mandewo and Mkondiwa, came together to create Synergy on Boards Consulting Group (SBCG) a company that not only has a nationwide database but supports, mentors and trains BIPOC executives and subject matter experts to be board ready.
We find ourselves at a critical time when businesses are embracing diversity more openly to fulfil regulatory compliance. In Canada, visible minorities make up 22.3% of the total population yet only 4.5% are directors at FP500 companies (Canada Board Diversity Council, 2016). While Canada has not been collecting disaggregated data, the little data available shows that Blacks and Indigenous people occupy less than 2% of paid boards in Canada. There is not a lack of talent within the racialized community, so the question then remains, why is this community, particularly women, grossly underrepresented at decision tables?
Synergy On Boards Consulting Group promotes and supports the advancement of BIPOC subject matter experts and senior-level executives seeking to take their voices and expertise to the boardroom and other decision-making tables. The company seeks to be a Canada-wide conduit between private companies, crown corporations, non-profits, and board-ready BIPOC candidates. Synergy on Boards Consulting Group does not see diversity on boards as a societal issue but as the right business decision.
Drawing from their own personal experiences with systemic barriers in Canada as Black women professionals, serial entrepreneur and Coquitlam City Councillor Trish Mandewo, and VP of Operations at Tide Rise Technologies and Executive In Residence at Women’s Enterprise Centre (WEC) Cecilia Mkondiwa, identified the need to not only challenge organizations to make a conscious effort to diversify their boards, but to help them easily access the talent pool.
“My father had the potential of changing the world, but he never got a chance. He inspired me to do everything I can to be the change I want to see. For many years racialized people have been outside the boardroom circle. My passion is to ensure that all qualified people are invited inside the circle. Change is hard, but progress lies in recognizing the creativity that the dimensions of diversity bring to all decision-making tables,” said Synergy co-founder Mandewo.
Meanwhile, co-founder Mkondiwa, named one Of B.C.’S Most Influential Women In Finance By B.C. Business Magazine in 2019, added, “Diversity on boards is like the creation of a colourful quilt. Board members have to understand that each unique piece of the quilt is of equal importance and contributes to the beauty of the quilt. The quilt is not complete if a piece is missing.”
Mandewo and Mkondiwa’s vision for SBCG is to be a major contributor in making diversity on boards the norm in the national business environment and in government. For any BIPOC women and men starting their board journey or seeking to horn their governance skills, you are encouraged to join Synergy’s first ever training event in partnership with Vantage Point and sponsored by Harbour West Consulting Inc.
November 26-27, 2020: Two-day fundamentals of governance training
For more information regarding Synergy on Boards Consulting Group, to register for an event or to become an ally, please visit https://synergyonboards.com.
Email: Info@synergyonboards.ca (Phone: 604-726-0856)
