QUEBEC, March 7,
2025 /CNW/ - To mark International Women's Day on
March 8, iA Financial Group (iA) is
recognizing the efforts of four inspiring women at the company:
Renée Laflamme, Sarah Nadeau,
Gwen Gareau and Azmina Karim-Bondy. They have joined forces with
the YWCAs of Quebec City,
Toronto and Vancouver through their compassion and
dedication to supporting women. A total donation of $600,000 was made to four important YWCA programs
that offer women, girls and gender diverse individuals in need
support, a safe environment and opportunities to reach their full
potential.
The following testimonials underscore the positive impact of
this funding for the programs.
YWCA Quebec – Cardinal Bégin Women's Rooming
House
Renée Laflamme, Executive Vice-President, Individual Insurance,
Savings and Retirement at iA, is ambassador of the YWCA's De
l'ombre à la lumière (Out of the Shadows) fundraising event, and
Sarah Nadeau, Vice-President,
Transformation and Financial Performance at iA, is ambassador and
board member of the YWCA Quebec's Cardinal-Bégin Women's Rooming
House project. This home welcomes women and children fleeing
domestic violence, offering a safe environment and resources to
help them regain their independence and prepare to return to
work.
"By supporting the YWCA Quebec's Cardinal-Bégin Women's Rooming
House, iA Financial Group is providing a safe, welcoming
environment where the women of our community can rebuild their
lives and regain their independence. iA's generosity helps
transform lives and contributes directly to building a more
inclusive, resilient and humane society." – Olympe Beaudoin, General Manager, YWCA
Quebec
YWCA Toronto – Health and Well-Being and Food Security
Programs
Gwen Gareau, Senior
Vice-President, iA Dealer Services and iA Auto Finance, will be
representing iA at YWCA Toronto's Women of Distinction Awards and
supports their Health and Well-being and Food Security programs.
These programs provide nutritious meals, mental health support and
housing services to over 13,000 women, gender diverse people and
their families every year.
"YWCA Toronto's Health and Well-Being and Food Security programs
provide critical support to the women, gender diverse individuals,
and children we serve across the city of Toronto each year. Our continuum of services
helps participants find stability and recover from the challenges
of violence, poverty, food insecurity and homelessness they face.
Through safe emergency shelter and permanent housing, nutritious
meals, food hampers and one-on-one crisis counselling, we are able
to address immediate needs. Additionally, healing arts therapies
and holistic wrap-around supports, and access to employment and
skills training tackle the complex mental, physical and financial
health barriers many participants face, fostering long-term
well-being and resilience." – Heather M. McGregor,
Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Toronto.
YWCA Metro Vancouver – Crabtree Corner Housing and the
Single Mothers' Support Groups
Azmina Karim-Bondy, Chief Legal
Counsel, Dealer Services & SMS, iA Auto, represents iA every
year at the Women of Distinction Awards. She supports the Crabtree
Corner housing program, which offers transitional housing units for
expecting and new mothers in recovery, and Single Mothers' Support
Groups, which provide essential services and a supportive
environment.
"Thank you, iA Financial Group, for over 15 years of generous
support and unwavering commitment to the YWCA. Your dedication now
extends to supporting Crabtree Corner Housing and the Single
Mothers' Support Groups, making a profound difference in the lives
of new mothers facing poverty and housing insecurity. With your
help, these programs provide essential resources, including safe
housing, parenting workshops, expert advice, and a supportive
community, empowering mothers to thrive and create a stable
foundation for their children. We are deeply grateful for your
continued partnership." – Brenda
Ulmer, Vice-President, Fund Development & Special Events
YWCA Metro Vancouver
This donation is part of a large-scale philanthropy program,
under which the company donated a total of $10.4 million
to approximately 600 educational, social, community, environmental
and health organizations in Canada
in 2024.
About iA Financial Group
iA Financial Group is one of
the largest insurance and wealth management groups in Canada, with operations in the United States. Founded in 1892, it is one
of Canada's largest public
companies. It is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the
ticker symbol IAG.
iA Financial Group is a business name and trademark of
iA Financial Corporation Inc. and Industrial Alliance
Insurance and Financial Services Inc.
SOURCE iA Financial Group
