REGINA — Support of rural women entrepreneurs continues through the Rural Ambassador Program co-ordinated by Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK).
Funding support from Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) has been improved, ensuring a second cohort of regional ambassadors will serve as connection points for women entrepreneurs in rural communities across the province.
According to WESK, the Rural Ambassador Program is designed to close the gender entrepreneurship gap by bringing support, resources and connection directly to where women live and work. In its first year, the program reached hundreds of women through local WESK Connect events, peer mentorship, tailored business advising and loans/
“Women entrepreneurs are driving change and building economic momentum in rural communities, but their access to resources often lags behind that of urban centres,” said Miriam Johnson, CEO of WESK.
“This program ensures that women outside major cities have the same opportunities to succeed, by meeting them where they are and connecting them to an inclusive, province-wide network of support.”
Each ambassador is a business owner herself, rooted in the rural community she serves. From agriculture to finance, health care to digital marketing, these leaders understand the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship in Saskatchewan’s smaller centres, WESK says. Over the next year, they will continue to help women business owners access WESK services, such as loans, learning and one-to-one advisory support, while fostering meaningful connections through events, local outreach, and peer mentorship.
“The strength of this program lies in the real-life experience and leadership of our Rural Ambassadors,” added Johnson.
“They are role models who not only understand operating a business in a rural centre, but are passionate about creating change and building stronger, thriving communities.”
