Forum-LOGO

Women's forum is an initiative group from Montreal focused on empowering
and inspiring women through the sharing of information, experience and expertise.

The Women’s Forum was created to provide a platform through which successful women could share their unique personal and professional experiences and challenges with other women in the community.

The program is bilingual with the individual speakers choosing their preference of language.

The presentation is followed by a networking session to further enhance the opportunity to establish new relationships. The program is under the guidance of a committee consisting of highly influential and successful women who wish to inspire and offer guidance to the next generation. The program was officially launched in April 2016 with our first speaker, The Honourable Melanie Jolie, Minister of Canadian Heritage. Since then six other well-known speakers in various industries have participated.

Due to the quality of speakers and local media coverage, the program has established a strong following which continues to grow.

All revenue generated by the program go to the Leonardo da Vinci cultural community centre to support the various services and activities available for all segments of the community.


Organizers

Susan D. Handrigan, Vice President - TD Commercial Banking

With over 20 year of experience, Susan is a financial executive, recognized for mobilizing diverse teams. She has a strong background in mergers and acquisitions. She has expertise in operations, operational leadership, strategic planning, business management, change management and talent management. She is currently Vice President, Commercial Banking at TD Canada Trust.

In addition to the Centre Leonardo Da Vinci, she is Treasurer of Canada World Youth and Treasurer of La Fondation Douglas.

Angela Gentile, President of Mega Centre Montréal & Pépinière Gentile

Angela has lived and worked in the Montreal community all her life. She wants to keep growing and networking, and brings her courage and enthusiasm to the Women's Forum.

She is President of Mega Centre Montréal & Pépinière Gentile, a landscape distribution and garden center in the Industrial area of St-Leonard since 1963. She has a Bachelor of Administration from UQAM as well as a Certificate in Industrial Relations from Université de Montréal. Finally, she is a founding member of EAST Foundation, Donne Siciliane and supporter of various organizations.

Luciana Liburi, Technician, Tax Department - MNP LLP/ SENCRL SRL

Throughout her career, Luciana has occupied various positions, mainly in the Financial and Corporate sectors. Her responsibilities included Executive and Administrative Support; Team Leader/Manager of Customer Service with a National Call Center. For the last 9 years, she has provided legal/corporate assistance within the Tax Department of a prominent National Accounting, Consulting and Business Advisory firm in Montreal. She is considered the “GO TO” person and the “FIXER”. Luciana has also been part of the Quebec Recreational Soccer Team (QRSL) playing in a women’s soccer team for the last 4 years. She is of the fundamental belief that today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, so offering them support at every level is especially important as it lends itself to confidence and empowerment.

Carole Gagliardi, Director of Business Development and Community Relations - Panoram Italia magazine

A well-known figure in the world of business and communications in the Italian community of Quebec, Ms. Gagliardi holds a B.A. in Modern Languages and Translation from the Université de Montréal. She has been producer and host of Teledomenica (CFCF TV), publisher of the weekly Corriere Italiano. She has served on the Boards of Directors of Télé-Québec, the Santa Cabrini Hospital Foundation, Ovarian Cancer Canada, the Italian-Canadian Business and Professional Association (CIBPA) ... She sits on the board of the Italian Canadian Caisse Populaire Desjardins and is a member of committees related to the advancement of women. She acts as presenter and moderator of Galas, conferences and official presentations. Ms. Gagliardi was named Personality of the Year by CIBPA (1990), Woman of the Year, category of cultural communities at the Salon de la Femme.

Damiana Cavallaro, Notary - Montreal

Damiana has over 28 years experience as a Notary after receiving her Bachelor of Law from the University of Sherbrooke and a Notarial Law Diploma from the University of Montreal. She has proudly followed her father’s trailblazing steps within and without the Italian community, carefully cultivating a prestigious and respected practice specializing in Wills, Protective Mandates, Settlement of Estates and Non-Contentious Procedures. She has sat on various boards, namely: The Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association, Espérance de Vie-Enfants du Monde Association and Foundation of Charles-Perrault. She has served on the organizing committees for Seize Your Future and for Open Minds Douglas Foundation and is a founding member of the CLDV Women’s Forum.

Cristina Mucciardi, President - CookandDate Group

A graduate from the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, with a BComm in Marketing & a minor in Finance, Cristina seemed to always have the entrepreneurial bug in her. After working and gaining experience in the Fashion and Marketing fields she launched her 1st business in 2007 and has never looked back. She currently has 3 brands under the CookandDate Group, and is passionate about cycling, where she uses her workouts raising funds for Cancer and ALS.


Nazig Nelly Injejikian, Associate, Business Development - Draxo Marketing

With an extensive background in branding, design, project management and overall marketing implementations, Nazig has worked with many prestigious brands across the country. Benefiting from a long-lived family of entrepreneurs, Nazig has an expertise in finding the perfect balance between creativity and efficiency, thus her success has contributed to the launches of nation-wide campaigns.

Nazig is dedicated to building better community bonds and supporting those in need through her involvement as a member of the Pointe-Claire Volunteer Rescue Unit.

Nancy Forlini, Certified Real Estate Broker and President - Re/Max Solutions

With more than 30 years experience in selling real estate, Nancy helped thousands of family buy or sell their dream homes. Ranked among the Top 1% Best Teams in the World for ReMax International, Nancy has received the Hall of Fame Award, Life Time Achievement Award and Circle of Legend Award.

She is the President of Re/Max Solutions and leads a team of 25 great individual that forms the Nancy Forlini Team! She is also on the Board of Director of the SDC Jean-Talon and on the Foundation of Marie-Clarac hospital. Coach and Speaker, she has a passion for helping and inspire others to reach their full potential.

Frank Sorrentino, Director of Marketing and Sponsorships - CLDV

 



       
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