Turning the tables on big challenges

Photographer: Shawn McPherson, 2010

Beth Wilson & Martine Irman, co-chairs of United Way's initiative for professional women leaders, Women Gaining Ground, created the network to support at-risk women in our community.

"Several years ago, Frances Lankin spoke at KPMG about the Losing Ground report. It was compelling. It really made an impact," begins Beth Wilson, GTA Managing Partner at KPMG and co-chair of United Way's initiative for professional women leaders, Women Gaining Ground. Her co-chair, Martine Irman, Vice Chair at TD Securities, adds, "We created the network to support at-risk women in our community."

Irman realized that women give differently. She says, "Women like to give in an engaged and empowered way. Women Gaining Ground is a network for professional women to do that."

Now in its third year, the members of Women Gaining Ground have had the opportunity to see first hand the powerful impact of their giving. Wilson says, "We hear and see the impact—there's a feel-good factor in that. The support we gave last year to the CITY Leaders program was more than just a cheque. We had the opportunity to directly mentor young women in our community. This year, our group's grant to Homeward Bound will help 32 families. We'll get to see where our giving goes, learn together about the issues facing low-income women, and make new connections." About the future Wilson says, "We see Women Gaining Ground only continuing to grow and make an impact."