Thank you for your interest in supporting our WBE Community by joining the Board of Directors!

Applications are welcome at any time throughout the year. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by the Nomination & Governance Committee. If approved but no vacancies are available, your name will be added to a waitlist for future consideration as positions become available.

At WBE Canada, we welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, women, LGBTQ2S+, older workers, people with disabilities and people from diverse backgrounds.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where employees feel comfortable being themselves. We want everyone to feel like their voice matters, that all cultures are respected and that diverse perspectives are not only welcome but essential to our success. We treat each other with fairness and dignity, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation or any other distinctive characteristic.

WBE Canada also welcomes and accommodates applicants with disabilities. We will make every effort to support candidates in accordance with the Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Please inform us if you require any accommodations during the application process.

Before applying, please ensure you have reviewed our Mission, Vision and Value Priorities as well as our Governance Structure.

By submitting your application, you agree to the terms outlined. Please ensure you have read all the provided information carefully before proceeding.

Sincerely,
WBE Canada Team
Section A: Board Application Criteria
Roles & Responsibilities of a WBE Canada Board Member:
  • Be informed about the organization’s Mission, Vision and Value Priorities and Governance Structure along with all policies, and programs of the organization.
  • Have a full and clear understanding of the most recent By-Laws approved at the Annual General Meeting.
  • Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board meetings.
  • Serve on committees and offer to take on special assignments.
  • Inform others about the organization. Advocate and be an ambassador for the organization.
  • Must show advocacy for WBE Canada through showing support on WBE Canada’s Social Media posts.
  • Suggest possible nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the organization.
  • Keep up-to-date on developments in the supplier diversity field.
  • Refrain from making special requests of the staff.
  • Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization’s financial statements.
  • Act as an alternate spokesperson for the organization.
  • Attend all board functions, such as special events.
  • Must have active involvement at in-person events such as WBE Canada Annual Conference, and Supplier Diversity Days along with involvement in WBE events e.g. industry conferences and events as speaker, panelist or industry expert as appropriate
Board Director Competencies:

The Board collectively is to have representation with expertise in:
  • Strategic management
  • Accounting, finance & procurement
  • Communications, fundraising or marketing
  • Human resources
  • Quality & risk management
  • Legal expertise
  • Industry sector
  • Geographic location
  • Knowledge of the non-profit sector and its regulatory environment
  • Knowledge of issues affecting the supply chain sector and the people within
  • Entrepreneurship and business growth
  • Partnership development
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
  • Government relations & advocacy
  • Sustainability & environmental stewardship
  • Technology & innovation
Governance Experience:

It is preferred that new Directors have prior Board/Governance experience, but this is not required. Board Director candidates must understand the responsibilities of being a Board member and have the necessary experience to contribute to board decision-making and oversight. WBE Canada’s recruitment practice follows the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Time Commitment and Expectation:

Board members are also expected to contribute to the organization by:
  • Attending a minimum of 75% of all Board meetings and must be employed by one of WBE Canada’s Corporate members and actively participating in all Board and committee meetings. A member will resign their position if in any given year they miss three (3) consecutive meetings of the Board. However, consideration to waiving this policy will be given for unique circumstances.
  • Nominees elected by the Board are expected to serve as a Board member for a 3-year term (Unless the Corporate member being represented does not renew their membership).
  • Nominees must be willing to actively participate in Board discussions and debate, respecting other director’s opinions and, upon reaching consensus on any and every issue, commit to the full support of all Board decisions, be they unanimous or not.
  • Nominees must be willing to actively market and promote WBE Canada.
The Board meetings are on a set schedule of approximately 4 regular meetings (quarterly) on Mondays from approximately 2-4pm EST as well as an AGM. Meetings will take place via teleconference (or in person). If unable to attend, Directors are expected to contribute by providing feedback to the Board of Directors regarding agenda items. Directors are not able to send representatives to a meeting in their place. Board work is supported by Board committees that focus on governance, nominations, development, quality, finance and risks.

In addition, Board Members must be prepared to participate in Board committees and provide feedback and assistance to Board committees when requested.

Board members are expected to be ambassadors of WBE Canada, providing information on the organization’s objectives and accomplishments and providing expertise within the field of Women Owned Enterprises.

Nominees must be prepared to serve without remuneration and no Director shall directly or indirectly receive any profit from his/her position as such as well there should not be a conflict of interest that would affect the nominee’s ability to represent WBE Canada.

Process for Submitting Expressions of Interest:

The Nomination Committee reviews and updates the skill matrix, interviews prospective candidates and provides recommendations to the Board for new members. All nominations shall be made in accordance with the by-laws.

Nominees will be required to provide to the Nomination Committee an application outlining their background, suitability, interest in WBE Canada and expected contribution to the Board.

Nominees are expected to sign a Confidentiality Agreement. Should a nominee decline to sign the agreement, the Nomination Committee will present the specific circumstances to the Board for final review and decision. In lieu of WBE Canada’s Confidentiality Agreement, the Board will accept the signed copy of the nominee’s Corporate Confidentiality Agreement.

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Section B: Applicant Information

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* 1. Contact Information

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* 2. Company Name (must be a current Corporate Member of WBE Canada):

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* 3. Job title:

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* 4. Industry:

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* 5. Company Type (choose all that apply):

Section C: Capability Assessment

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* 6. Using the following scale below, please answer the following questions regarding your skills and experiences:

Minimal to no: 0 - 1 years of direct and/or relevant experience or knowledge
Basic: 1 - 3 years of experience and/or knowledge
Adequate: 3 - 7 years of experience and/or knowledge
Superior: + 7 years experience and/or knowledge

  Minimal to no Basic  Adequate Superior
Organization Effectiveness – Drives strategic insight and direction to encourage innovation, leadership and team development skills, board training and assessments and long-term planning.
Government Contract Compliance – Manages contract or procurement involving government entities and programs.
Human Resources – Compensation, human resource committee participation with a thorough understanding of compensation, benefit and pension programs, legislation and agreements.
Governance/Board – Prior or current experience as a board member for a public, private or large non-profit.
Financial Resources – Fund development or grant writing for national, provincial, municipal or and corporate entities.
International Exposure – Work on international assignments involving procurement, supply chain, trade, regulations, travel, management or part of a team.
Sales/Marketing Expertise – Sales or marketing background combined with a strong knowledge of general strategy, markets, competitors and branding and messaging.
Procurement Background – Managing supply chain programs and/or departments, development of requests for proposals (RFPs) and contract negotiations.
Supplier Diversity – Developed small business procurement programs as well as supported facilitation of access to corporate contracts for small businesses.
Senior Officer – Experience working as a CEO or senior level officer for any size corporation.
Certification – Served on a WBENC or NMSDC or CAMSC or CGLCC national or affiliate certification committee.
Compliance/Audit – Knowledge of control matrices, procedural documentation, auditing, testing, and remediation.
Information Technology Background/Expertise/Vision – Experience or current technological background recommending, installing, developing applications/systems.
Legal – Knowledge and/or expertise in NFP or Membership law.
Section D: Commitment to WBE Canada:

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* 7. The next section helps us gauge corporate commitment and involvement in support of WBE Canada initiatives over the past 2-3 years:

  YES NO
My corporation has special initiatives that focus on WBE utilization and development.
My corporation has a written policy that identifies WBEs as an integral part of business and sets appropriate internal accountabilities.
My corporation has an established supplier diversity program with processes and goals specifically for WBEs.
Attendance/participation in annual outreach and networking activities of one or more Regional Partner Organizations in the United States or Regional Enterprise Centers in Canada.
Attendance/participation in annual outreach and networking activities of WBE Canada
Service on committees/projects supporting WBE Canada mission, programs and goals.
Provide financial sponsorships and/or in-kind resources to support events and activities of WBE Canada.
Section E: Reflection Questions

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* 8. Provide example(s) of your contributions to the advancement of women?

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* 9. Why are you interested in being a Board Member for WBE Canada?

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* 10. Please describe your experience with a non profit organization.

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* 11. Please identify the areas of expertise/contributions you feel you can make to WBE Canada as a Board Director (Choose all that apply):

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* 12. Please describe 2-3 key competencies (with supporting examples) that you bring to the Board.

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* 13. Please indicate which of the events hosted by WBE Canada that you would be potentially able to support in person.

Section F: Member Privacy and Confidentiality Agreement

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* 14. WBE Canada is committed to safeguarding the personal information entrusted to us by our donors and other individuals. We manage personal information in accordance with the WBE Canada Privacy Policy.

WBE Canada acknowledges that members may have access to confidential information while carrying out their duties. Such confidential information may include, but is not limited to:
  • Personal information regarding employees, stakeholders, volunteers and donors
  • Non-public information such as employee names, non-public addresses, etc. related to agencies, grantees, and applicants obtained through the application review process, and confidential information from discussions and decisions during the application review process
  • Sensitive information obtained from program participants
  • Privileged information obtained from stakeholders and corporate partners
  • Classified financial and operational data
All volunteers shall adhere to the Privacy Policy and will not disclose, divulge, or make accessible confidential and personal information to any outside party, other than to persons who have a legitimate need for such information and to whom the Organization has authorized disclosure.

Volunteers must exercise good judgment and care always to avoid unauthorized or improper disclosures of confidential information. Conversations in public places, such as restaurants, elevators, and public transportation, should be limited to matters that do not pertain to information of a sensitive or confidential nature. In addition, members should be sensitive to the risk of inadvertent disclosure and should for example, refrain from leaving confidential information on desks or otherwise in plain view and refrain from the use of speaker phones to discuss confidential information if the conversation could be heard by unauthorized persons. If members are unclear about how to manage any confidentiality or information sharing, they should discuss it with the Board Chair.

Departing members shall return all documents, papers, and other materials, regardless of medium, which may contain or be derived from confidential information, in her or his possession.

Declaration:

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* 15. Application submitted on Date:

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* 16. Electronic signature (Enter your full name - only applications submitted by the applicant will be accepted)

Section G: Support documents

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* 17. Please upload your Resume (in PDF Format) below:

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