THUNDER BAY — She won't know until November whether she's won or not, but Rosalind Lockyer is pleased just to be nominated for a prestigious national award.
The founder and CEO of Thunder Bay's PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise is one of three regional finalists for a 2024 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award.
The program, now in its 32nd year, is an initiative of Women of Influence+, an award-winning organization dedicated to advancing Canadian women.
Lockyer is nominated in the social change/national impact category.
She said being nominated is a privilege and an honour of which she is very proud.
"For nearly 30 years, PARO has supported thousands of women to achieve their dreams. This award nomination is a reflection of the significant work accomplished by a legacy of women supporting women."
A published outline of her career states that Lockyer has dedicated her life to supporting gender equality and building sustainable livelihoods for women.
PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise is a community economic development organization that helps entrepreneurs who wish to start, scale and expand their businesses in Canada.
PARO spreads its unique model of "Prosper Circles" and other integrated services across the country.
It has supported numerous successful women's trade missions to the US, providing funding, training and wraparound support to women entrepreneurs looking to export.
According to a posted description of the social change/national impact award, it recognizes "an exceptional leader of a registered charity, social enterprise or not-for-profit that is dedicated to its unique brand of social change at a national or international level. Applicants have garnered extraordinary support from the national or international community by being champions for philanthropy and volunteerism in Canada and beyond."
All nominees' applications are reviewed and judged by a panel of prominent business leaders and subjected to due diligence by Deloitte.
The winners will be announced at a red-carpet event in Toronto on Nov. 8.
