OV Boss Babes #breakthebias with virtual panel discussion
The Ottawa Valley Women’s Collective by OV Boss Babes is all about embracing diversity, building an inclusive workplace and shattering negative biases through insightful conversations.
On March 5, five remarkable women will #breakthebias and share their tales of successes, failures and the challenges they overcame in a virtual panel discussion. Attendees are invited to chime in with questions and comments over chat.
The group may be small, but these speakers are passionate about building an equitable society, said Holly Molenaar, host and founder of OV Boss Babes Podcast.
The conversation will cover building gender equality in the workplace, what actions can be taken against gender bias, and how the community can improve overall.
“We in the Ottawa Valley are evolving,” said Molenaar. “Work is being done behind the scenes, and we want to showcase that.”
The event is in its second year. Molenaar hoped it could be held in person to add a networking aspect but had to settle on a virtual format over Zoom, YourTV Ottawa Valley, YouTube, and her podcast.
When able, she plans on creating in-person networking events, panels, evening socials, fundraisers and interviews.
“I want to create more pathways, more opportunities for people to share the great work that they are doing and to bring more awareness,” said Molenaar. “This is just the start. I’m really excited about where it goes.”
The event’s date was chosen deliberately to pay tribute to International Women’s Day, which is held on March 8. The day celebrates women’s contribution at home and work, often defying impossible odds to do so and laying the path for long-lasting societal change.
Molenaar started her own empowerment journey with the occasional podcast where she spoke to female entrepreneurs in the Ottawa Valley. It quickly grew into a massive online phenomenon with nearly 70 available episodes. It touches on the industries of beauty, wellness, business, fashion, farming, grief, athletics and more. Though she prioritizes the female perspective, she also welcomes males and those on the gender spectrum to share their stories.
“We want people to know that everybody can be a boss babe,” said Molenaar.
The discussion required many sponsors including the Town of Renfrew, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise, Petawawa Business Advisory Network (PBAN), the Community Futures Development Corporation, the City of Pembroke, the Township of Laurentian Valley, the Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre (PMFRC) and the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association.
The free event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on March 5, with tickets sold on Eventbrite under “Ottawa Valley Women’s Collective” or by following tinyurl.com/ovcollective. A link to participate live on Zoom or view it later will be provided after registration, or follow along using #breakthebias on social media.
