First-ever WEKH north of 60 established at Yukon College

November 19th marks the official launch of the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) North at Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E), Yukon College.

WEKH North is the most recent addition to the Knowledge Hub Consortium and the first hub north of 60. Spearheaded by the Diversity Institute at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, the consortium includes nine regional hubs across Canada, bringing different areas of expertise and specialization to the project. Each hub will deliver activities intended to support the advancement of women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds through the innovation process.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub project, especially as it aligns so well with what we are already doing here at I&E,” said Lauren Manekin Beille, manager, I&E. “The establishment of WEKH North allows us to target women innovators from Yukon and across the North, providing more workshops, peer groups, networking events and coaching than ever before."

I&E is hosting the WEKH North Launch Luncheon on Tuesday, November 19th at 11:00am at their downtown Whitehorse location inside NorthLight Innovation. The launch will include remarks from the Honourable Jeanie Dendys, minister responsible for the Women’s Directorate, Karen Barnes, president of Yukon College, Lauren Manekin Beille, manager of I&E and Harry Borlase, Director for Yukon, Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, followed by lunch and facilitated discussions until 1:00pm. The launch coincides with the She/Ze conference, a summit for women leaders in the north, that also kicks off on the 19th.

“Yukon College is a place of learning that is accessible and open to all,” said Dr. Karen Barnes, president and vice-chancellor, Yukon College. “We value our northern environment, cultures, society and economies, and establishing WEKH North at I&E feeds into our strategic directions as we lead through exploration and innovation.”

Over the course of three years, the Government of Canada is investing up to $8.62 million in the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub program. The project is funded through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, and will advance research, gather important data and disseminate information related to the advancement of women’s entrepreneurship in Canada

To learn more, please visit the I&E webpage on the Yukon College website, and the Women's Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub website.

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