The annual BMO Celebrating Women event in Winnipeg honoured three women for their remarkable contributions to business and the community.
The program honours female leaders in local communities as part of BMO’s commitment to drive the advancement of women and recognizes contributions in one of three categories: Trailblazers & Innovators; Community & Charitable Giving; and Expansion & Growth in Business.
The following honourees were recognized:
Trailblazer & Innovators: Tara Maltman-Just, B.Sc.(Pharm.), MS, ABAAHP, FMNM. As the award-winning founder and executive clinician of Vitality Integrative Medicine, Ms. Maltman-Just’s extensive training in integrative medicine and passion for patient care has helped Manitobans live more balanced lives. Founded in 2013, Ms. Maltman-Just’s practice combines her training as a pharmacist with integrative medicine and therapeutic planning to deliver tailored, in-depth health consultations.
Community & Charitable Giving: Carmyn Aleshka. Championing visionary, philanthropic entrepreneurs, Ms. Aleshka founded the Upside Down Tree to help smaller charities achieve their goals by connecting them with business expertise, mentorship and networking opportunities. Since 2014, the Upside Down Tree has raised over $1.25 million to help Canadian charities make a difference across Canada and worldwide. In addition to serving as president of Paradigm Insurance and as a member of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba’s Board of Directors, Ms. Aleshka founded KidThink Children’s Mental Health Centre, a mental health treatment center and outreach program to help children access mental health treatment across the province.
Expansion & Growth in Business: Ruth Loeppky. Driven by her determination to continue her husband’s legacy and provide for her four children, Ms. Loeppky oversees and manages Rolling Prairie Farms Inc., a 3,200-acre mixed grain farm in Niverville, Manitoba. Under her guidance as owner and president, Rolling Prairie Farms Inc.’s revenues grew from 7 per cent in 2017 to 30 per cent in 2018. The family business recently expanded with the acquisition of an additional 40 acres of land and a grain dryer.
“Through their boundless drive and creativity, our honourees develop and deploy innovative solutions as business developers and community leaders,” said Kristen Kennedy, Regional Vice-President (Winnipeg) and BMO for Women Council Member, BMO Financial Group. “BMO is honoured to recognize these leaders for their individual contributions and roles in the advancement of women in Manitoba.”
