Jasmyn Rowley, presented with the ATHENA Leadership Award 

The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce (SSMCOC) was pleased to host its 23rd annual Women In Business event, presented by Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) , on Friday, March 8th to coincide with International Women’s Day 2024.

Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce CEO, Rory Ring, explains “for the Chamber, a ‘Difference Maker’ is a Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce member, organization or person, who accomplishes extraordinary things by creating positive change in our community and in the lives of others. They are people who have leadership roles in work, business, family, and community, creating networks of like-minded people everywhere and anywhere. They are organizations that embrace the broader purpose of creating positive change through determination, leadership, teamwork, inspiration, courage, excellence, integrity, generosity, and compassion”.

The breakfast event was attended by almost 300 participants and included a panel discussion featuring local business and professional women from a variety of different sectors in the economy, who shared experiences, success stories and advice to help inspire and support businesswomen in Sault Ste. Marie.

The panel included:
-Lisa Vezeau-Allen, City Council Member for the City of Sault Ste. Marie representing the Constituents of Ward 2 and founder of the Grocer 4 Good Ability Development Program.
-Jennifer Johnson, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant and Founder of iCA Immigration.
-Carolyn Hepburn , Dean of Indigenous Studies and Academic Upgrading at Sault College and the current Chair for Colleges and Institutes Canada’s National Indigenous Advisory
Committee and the Indigenous Peoples Education Circle.

The panel discussion was led by Monique Morrison of BigUps Consulting/Success with Digital and Moonbeam Healing . During the discussion, panelists shared some of the challenges of being women
business leaders and entrepreneurs.
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Traci Costa, CEO and President of ATHENA International delivered a keynote address, where she spoke of her own experiences, often in male dominated professions. She spoke of the need to eliminate barriers, and to avoid expecting women (or anyone for that matter) to conform to outdated notions of what it takes to be successful in the workplace, and she encouraged business women in the room to support each other, encourage one another, and continue making it easier for women to juggle diverse professional, and personal responsibilities.

Friday’s Chamber of Commerce event included the presentation of the Chamber’s ATHENA Leadership Award. The ATHENA Award is recognized internationally and has been sponsored locally by Sault College for 16 years. It is presented to a woman (or man), who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.

The recipient of this year’s award was Jasmyn Rowley.

Jasmyn Rowley has been recognized for her remarkable leadership and innovation within the media industry as the Director of Marketing and Communication at Village Media. Since joining the company at its inception in 2013, Rowley has played a pivotal role in its growth from a small startup to a prominent media presence with over 150 employees across the province and in the United States. Her historic appointment in 2018 as the first woman to the senior management team underscores her trailblazing role in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Beyond her professional excellence, Rowley has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to her community in Sault Ste. Marie. Her creation and leadership of the Village Media Random Acts of Kindness program reflect her dedication to promoting positivity and support within the community. This program, alongside the Community Builders Awards, showcases her innovative approach to recognizing and uplifting individuals and organizations making significant contributions to their communities.

Rowley’s personal leadership shines through her mentorship of young women, guiding them towards achieving their full leadership potential and supporting their professional advancement. By leading an all-women team and providing them with growth opportunities and mentorship, she has directly contributed to nurturing the next generation of female leaders in the industry.

Her service to the community extends beyond her professional role, as demonstrated by her volunteer work with numerous organizations such as the Children’s Aid Society’s, 100 Women Who Care, The Twinkie Foundation, The Soup Kitchen, St. Vincent Place, The Humane Society, Women in Crisis, Pauline’s Place and Soo Sings.

For her civic pride, professional innovation, and leadership in empowering women, Jasmyn Rowley’s contributions to her profession, industry, and community are deserving of recognition. Her ability to innovate, inspire, and uplift those around her embodies the essence of what prestigious awards seek
to honor.

The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank our Women In Business: The Difference Makers presenting sponsor: OLG ; our ATHENA Award sponsor: Sault College ; our partner sponsors,
Bell , Kevanna Fine Photography, The Water Tower Inn, and Rogers Sports & Media (KISS 100.5/COUNTRY 104.3).