Inclusive Growth Summit

Empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs isn’t just equitable—it’s economically essential. Financial institutions are missing out on untapped growth in their portfolios.

This conference gives you a fresh lens, new playbook, and a community of peers who are already pushing forward.

WeBC invites small business lenders and leadership teams from financial institutions across BC to a one-day, high-impact summit designed to spark practical ideas, highlight success stories, and provide early tools for inclusive portfolio development.

Why This Conference Matters

🔸 The Missed Economic Opportunity Women and non-binary entrepreneurs consistently outperform national averages in business survival, revenue growth, and job creation—yet continue to be underrepresented in lending portfolios.

🔸 Evidence of Success Within Existing Strucures Learn how a BC financial institution is expanding inclusive lending—even within regulated environments—through shifts they can influence from the ground up.

🔸 The Power of Ground-Level Influence You don’t need to control strategy to make a difference. Lenders and leaders can drive change by being connectors, making inclusive lending decisions, advocating internally, and surfacing gaps and opportunities.

What You’ll Explore Together

🔹 Incremental Lending Plans Discover how small, strategic shifts in lending processes are opening access to capital—starting with practical steps already in motion across BC.

🔹 The Role of Lenders Beyond Lending Discover how financial institution peers are stepping into educator and connector roles—helping entrepreneurs access networks, resources, and mentorship support that influence success.

🔹 Tools in Progress Preview WeBC's evolving toolbox of resources, developed in collaboration with financial institutions across BC and powered by our research and partnership with the Forum’s AFIA DEI Index and funding from Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) Canada.

Why Your Voice Matters

You don’t need to shape national policy to make meaningful change. Your lending decisions, outreach, internal advocacy—and your role as connectors to resources and networks—help surface new opportunities, drive inclusive growth, and expand economic participation, even within a tightly regulated environment.

Whether you're a lender, manager, or executive in financial institution —your decisions shape the future of Canada's economy. Join us, learn with peers, and leave equipped to take action in your own sphere.