About - SynergyOnBoards

Our “Why”

According to the 2016 census, more than 1 in 5 Canadians (about 7.7 million people) are visible minorities and 1.7 million are Indigenous. Our Canadian workforce is diverse, so why then are corporate boards not diverse?

Organizations have grown to appreciate the value of having women on boards and the numbers have been steadily increasing; however, the gains are primarily made by white women. Black, Indigenous and other visible minority women are grossly underrepresented.

We are challenging organizations to make a conscious effort to broaden their talent pool by:

recognizing that diversity is more than just gender;
considering that intersectionality brings richness to the boardroom; and
embracing the business case that diversity of thoughts brings.

We create impact through:

Professional development: We enhance our members’ skillset through board governance training, webinars, and events. We also provide board readiness assessments.

Professional Growth: We improve our members’ strategic and business acumen while they aim to reach new heights.
Networking: We increase and improve our members professional networking circle.
Access to resources: We partner with stakeholders to provide access to board vacancies. We also help members stay abreast of the latest governance news, updates, and other relevant information.
Making a difference: Non-profit boards provide an opportunity to support initiatives that resonate with our members. Private corporation boards avail opportunities to use their skillset and experience to shape the company’s policies and business practices. The public office allows them to make or change policies that impact many people’s lives.
Financial gain: While income and compensation should not be the motivating factor in joining a board, the truth is that it is a factor to be considered. Private corporations pay their board members in cash, shares and, in some cases, both. Some public/crown corporation boards pay stipends and expenses. Non-profits boards are on a voluntary basis.

FAQ

1. Who is the ideal candidate for Synergy Executive & Boards Consulting Group Ltd. (SEBCG)?

Our target market is black, indigenous and other visible minority women executives who have the qualities and ambition to join boards and:

Have unique skill sets;
Are currently serving or have served in management positions; and
Have experience serving on boards

2. Can Black, Indigenous and other visible minority men join?

YES! While our focus is women, our membership is also open to men. They are welcome to join training sessions as well as assessments.

3. Why do you only serve black, indigenous, and other visible minority women of colour? What about Caucasian women?

Our research showed that the gap in service that exists is for black, indigenous and other visible minority women. There are many other organizations, such as Women Get On Boards, who are serving the general population , and we happily collaborate with them.

4. When I join SEBCG, am I guaranteed a board position?

Joining our organization does not automatically guarantee you a board appointment. Our role is not HR or direct placement; instead, we help with your board strategy, board resume and interview preparation. We also avail personal introductions to experienced directors who can provide advice and encouragement in specific interview situations. Best of all, we leverage our extensive relationships with private companies and charities by bringing the board opportunities to you.

5. What programs or workshops are offered and when do they run?

To see our upcoming events, please visit our events page

6. What percentage of visible minorities and Indigenous are directors at FP500 companies?

Visible minorities make up 22.3% of Canadians. According to the Canada Board Diversity Council, only 4.5% are directors at FP500 companies.