Lunch and Learn with Connected North: Bridging Communities, Empowering Futures

Unlock the Power of Connection and Opportunity: A Lunch and Learn with Connected North

Imagine a world where geographic distance doesn’t limit access to quality education and enriching experiences. This Lunch and Learn invites you to explore the inspiring story of Connected North, a groundbreaking initiative that’s turning this vision into reality for northern Indigenous communities across Canada.

Join us to hear more from Willa Black (Founder and Advisory Board Chair, Connected North, and former VP Social Impact Cisco Canada) and Jennifer Corriero (Executive Director, TakingITGlobal) about their journey building Connected North. Discover the innovative technologies and the power of public and private sector collaborations, aligned with Governments to address a significant social issue – bridging distances and building respectful and lasting connections in some of Canada’s most remote schools and communities.

This session will also shed light on the realities faced by youth living in remote Northern communities, offering a deeper understanding of their unique experiences and the critical role education plays in their lives and futures. Recognizing these challenges also opens opportunities for collaboration between the private sector and the non-profit sector, unlocking innovative finance solutions and building a more equitable finance industry for Indigenous youth and women. We’ll explore the challenges they encounter in accessing educational opportunities and discuss how pathways to learning empowers Indigenous youth, strengthen communities, and contribute to a more equitable finance industry.

Come prepared to be inspired, informed, and empowered to make a difference. Enjoy your lunch while engaging in a meaningful conversation about connection, education, partnership and reconciliation. 

This session has been sponsored by TD, lunch will be provided at the event.

Agenda

11:30 am – 12:00 pm: Attendee arrival and lunch
12:00 – 12:15: Opening remarks
12:15 – 12:45: Panel Discussion
12:45 – 1:00: Q&A from audience
1:00 – 1:30: Open Networking

Speakers

• Opening remarks from Angelique Carle, Vice President, Delivery Governance, TD Bank Group
• Panel moderated by Jessica McGregor, Senior Communications Manager , TD Securities
• Panel includes: Tanya van Biesen, President & CEO, VersaFi, Willa Black, Founder and Advisory Board Chair, Connected North, and former VP Social Impact Cisco Canada and Jennifer Corriero Executive Director, TakingITGlobal