Leeds Grenville International Women’s Day Recognizes Leadership and Accelerating Action to a Sold-out Crowd Thursday Night

BROCKVILLE – The Leeds Grenville International Women’s Day celebration saw a sold-out crowd of 120 attendees for an evening of empowerment, connection, and action. Presented by Leeds Grenville Economic Development and Small Business Office at the Brockville Memorial Civic Centre on Thursday, March 6.

This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” emphasized the remarkable contributions of women in business and encouraged bold steps toward a more inclusive and dynamic future.

“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is important for us to recognize the many female entrepreneurs and the business and public sector leaders in Leeds Grenville.  While there has been growth in female leadership, tonight was an opportunity to learn and inspire others to be part of shaping the region’s future,” said Corinna Smith-Gatcke, Warden for the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.

The evening featured a Fireside Chat with Julie Caffin, President and CEO of Brockville General Hospital, and Janet Campbell, Founder of Mrs. McGarrigle’s Fine Foods in Merrickville. Both leaders shared valuable insights from their professional journeys.

When asked about challenges that required bold action and delicate decision-making to achieve success, Janet remarked, “There will always be new challenges in business—that’s a constant. A global pandemic and a trade war with our closest ally are two extremely recent examples. Challenges push you to grow, learn, and evolve, potentially turning obstacles into opportunities. As entrepreneurs, we must adapt, stay flexible, and continuously improve our offerings, quality, and customer service. Every challenge presents an opportunity to assess strengths, weaknesses, and potential solutions to move forward.”

Julie spoke about strategies for maintaining focus and motivation during slowdowns or setbacks, emphasizing the importance of patience. “I’m not naturally a patient person, so it’s a skill I had to develop. Setting realistic expectations and building in time for possible delays helps manage the unexpected while reducing frustration. It’s also important to remember that everyone processes things at different speeds—what feels slow to you may be moving quickly for someone else.”

The evening also featured an interactive “Ask the Expert” session, where business leaders rotated among tables to share their expertise..

The event concluded with the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Lynn Laming-Kerr of Kitley Grocery and Service Station. She is the twelfth recipient of the award, which recognizes a woman with over 20 years in business, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to community resilience. Reflecting on her work ethic, Lynn humbly shared, “Don’t ask anyone to do a job you wouldn’t do yourself. When things get tough, just go to work.”

A networking social closed out the event, leaving attendees inspired to take action and continue fostering leadership and innovation in their communities.