I am truly honoured to share that in May 2023, I received the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board’s (TRREB) Community Service Award. This recognition celebrates the volunteer work I have dedicated to co-founding and building Lean In Canada, an organization focused on empowering women to thrive in their careers and leadership journeys.

The Community Service Awards highlight REALTORS® who go beyond real estate to make a meaningful difference in the community. To be chosen among such passionate and committed professionals is deeply humbling. More importantly, it reaffirms the value of creating spaces where women can connect, grow, and inspire one another.

The story of Lean In Canada
In 2013, after reading Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In, I felt a strong pull to create something that would help women in Canada feel more empowered and supported in their professional lives. Along with two incredible co-founders, we launched what started as Lean In Toronto with just 20 women gathered in my digital marketing agency’s office.

What began as a small community quickly grew into something much larger. Within a year, we had incorporated as Lean In Canada, and today the organization has expanded across the country with active chapters in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto. Over the past decade, more than 8,000 members and 400 volunteers have contributed to building a national platform for women’s leadership and career development.

The impact we’ve seen
Lean In Canada provides women with access to learning opportunities, mentorship, and networking that helps build both skills and confidence. We have hosted hundreds of events covering everything from personal branding and negotiation to mentorship, financial planning, and board leadership.

The most rewarding part has always been hearing from women who tell us that Lean In Canada gave them the courage to ask for a promotion, the confidence to pivot into a new career, or the community they needed to finally step into leadership. These stories are proof that when women come together with purpose, they create real and lasting change.

Why volunteering matters
Through my work with Lean In Canada, I have always believed that volunteering should be accessible. It does not require endless hours of your time to make an impact. As I shared during the TRREB announcement:

“If you only have an hour a day or an hour a week to volunteer, you can still volunteer.”

Every contribution matters, no matter how big or small. That collective spirit is what built Lean In Canada and what continues to inspire me today.

A recognition of community, not just me
Receiving TRREB’s Community Service Award is not only a personal milestone but also a recognition of the hundreds of volunteers, members, and partners who have shaped Lean In Canada. It is a celebration of their dedication and belief in the power of women helping women.

This award fuels my ongoing commitment to keep empowering women, not only in real estate but across all industries. The journey is far from over, and I remain passionate about creating opportunities for women to rise, connect, and thrive.

✨ To everyone who has been part of Lean In Canada over the past 12 years: thank you. This recognition belongs to all of us.