GEMinar 5: Owning Your Future

In partnership with our program funder RBC, on May 22nd, we held our final GEMinar, closing off the 2020-2021 cohort with much celebration!

Mary Lee, GEM’s Board Co-Chair, opened up our session and congratulated all the GEMgirls for completing the Mentorship Program. Mary also introduced our Keynote Speaker, RBC Olympian and Paralympian Erin Latimer. 

Erin shared with GEMgirls about her successful career with the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team, including her time in Sochi in 2014 and PyeongChang in 2018. Erin also talked about lessons that she learned from alpine skiing and how she applies those lessons to her current focus: being an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto.

Following Erin’s Keynote, GEMgirls, Mentors, and RBC volunteers were assigned to smaller breakout rooms, where they participated in a professional development activity meant to inspire the GEMgirls as they begin the next chapter of their lives.

Next, RBC panelists Peggy Capitain, Valerie Munn, and Reem Araia spoke about Owning Your Future Career with the GEMgirls. The panelists shared many inspirational stories and provided boundless advice for GEMgirls to make the most of their futures. 

Following the panel, GEMgirls got to learn about the RBC Future Launch program. For more information, search “RBC Future Launch” in your internet browser!

GEMgirls then heard from GEM Alumnae Auva and Aubony with some great advice and information on how to remain connected to GEM’s community through the GEM Alumnae Network. GEMgirls – please email GEM’s Project and Policy Coordinator, Emma, for information on how to join the group.

Mentors and other members of the GEM community were invited to join the GEM Collective by Ambar, GEM’s Fundraising and Engagement Lead. For more information on the GEM Collective, please click HERE.

With much excitement, we closed the GEMinar by announcing the thirteen GEMScholarship recipients for the 2020-21 Cohort. Details on the scholarship awards coming soon!

Congratulations to all the 2020-21 GEMgirls for your progress and growth! Our sincere thanks to RBC, our GEM mentors, volunteers, and the GEM Team for your commitment and support throughout this extraordinary year!