The Power of Allyship with Sowmya Rajasekaran – December 17, 2020

Community and connections are vital - especially when you’re building a company. However, in a current- and post-pandemic world, cultivating those critical alliances can be difficult. Sowmya Rajasekaran, Creator & Moderator of the #Buildupwomen Series, chats with us about how to build support within your networks, particularly as women entrepreneurs. 

When COVID-19 hit Canada, Sowmya began reaching out to people in her community in order to check in, and these conservations inspired her to launch Buildupwomen. The Buildupwomen Series is an online community created to inspire, learn from, share, support, engage and build up women during and post COVID-19. The first season launched 10 live series discussions on key subject matters including LEAD-HER-SHIP, Economic Abuse, Job Loss & Creating opportunity, Accessibility during Covid-19, Education during Covid-19, and Motherhood & Everything in between. The series includes over 30+ inspiring female disruptors, change-makers, influencers, advocates & community leaders across Canada with a core focus on diversity & inclusion.

Sowmya is a champion and an outspoken advocate for inclusion & women's empowerment with a key focus in Social Impact. She currently works with the Ontario Disability Employment Network to focus on Innovation & Best Practice in Diversity & Inclusion, and is also a part of Startup Canada’s women entrepreneurs roundtable program in partnership with the Embassy of Israel. 

“Had it not been for incredible women listening and validating why I was doing what I was doing, and getting support through partnerships or sponsorships, the series may not have happened.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Sowmya discusses how to empower you and your business through allyship.