Women’s Day Breakfast in Sudbury features panel discussion

An event this week in Sudbury put the spotlight on four women, who shared their personal stories of leadership success.

The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual International Women’s Day breakfast Friday morning at the Caruso Club.

The event featured a panel discussion with four female business leaders who talked about inspiration, empowerment and challenges they have faced and overcome.

It was a packed house, with 430 people attending the breakfast.

“The theme is Accelerate Action -- specifically for gender parity,” said chamber chair Trevor Lalonde.

“A lot of the panelists talked about their experiences their stories.”

The panel included four successful Sudbury businesswomen who shared stories about who influenced them and pivotal moments in their lives.

“Today was all about balance,” said Randi Ray, CEO and founder of the Aazhoganike Group of Companies.

“Today was all about ensuring that we are feeding our inner fires but also getting back to that balance. Talking about mental emotional spiritual and physical health.”

“I think it was just a message of empowerment,” said Tania Renelli, Salute Coffee Company Owner & Founder.

“There is something so empowering about being in a room with 300-400 other women and supporting each other.”

The panelists also talked about shifts in mindsets that have helped them succeed.

“I hope that everyone takes away that ready is a choice and not a feeling,” said Science North CEO Ashley Larose.

“If there is something you want to do -- start a business, create something new in the business that you already have, choose to be ready.”

“I think one of the key messages that I wanted to bring home for a lot of these young women that were here with us today is to really start shedding their stories,” said Dr. Reena Dhatt, NEOMO Medical CEO and associate professor at NOSM University.

“Those stories that are holding us back or take us out at our knees and that really stop us from engaging in leadership activities.”

Chamber officials said the panel discussion was designed to explore challenges and discuss actionable ways to foster gender equality.