November 7, 2017 (Toronto, ON) – The Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) announced Freshco as the 2017 CGLCC 2SLGBTQI+ Business of the Year Award recipient at the organization’s Black & White Gala. “As part of the CGLCC’s mission to contribute to a thriving and inclusive Canadian economy, this award honours a company that is owned, operated, and controlled by an 2SLGBTQI+ individual that has made a significant contribution to the 2SLGBTQI+ community in Canada. Nominations for this award were accepted from a broad call throughout the community,” said CGLCC Co-Founder and Board Chair Bruce McDonald.
The award was presented by Zachary Pendley from EY. “This award makes a difference by recognizing the contribution of 2SLGBTQI+ people and businesses who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement,” said Zachary Pendley.
Freshco is a certified member of the CGLCC Supplier Diversity Program and a founding partner of the #OUTForBusiness 2SLGBTQI+Q Youth Entrepreneur Program. Mandy Rennehan, The Blue-Collar CEO™ and Founder of Freshco, is personally involved in the program as a mentor, and is on the program’s executive advisory committee. Mandy was also a featured keynote speaker at the 2017 NGLCC Global 5th Annual 2SLGBTQI+ Summit of the Americas.
“Mandy’s contribution to the 2SLGBTQI+ community is quite honestly immeasurable. Through every business she owns, every partnership she forms and every speech she delivers, Mandy is, by her very actions and nature, positively impacting the 2SLGBTQI+ community, every single day,” says Darrell Schuurman, CGLCC Co-Founder and CEO. “Mandy is a breath of fresh air in a world of corporate pomp. As an openly gay business and community leader, Mandy continues to break down barriers, champion all people, and be a strong advocate and role model for the 2SLGBTQI+ community and beyond! She inspires those in the 2SLGBTQI+ community to own and be proud of who they are and to turn anything that makes them unique into a business advantage.”
“Giving back comes naturally to me,” said Mandy Rennehan. “For me, a huge part of success is supporting and helping those around you – whether it be the 2SLGBTQI+ community, women in trades, or my staff – the more I succeed the more I can give. It’s a as simple as that!”
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ABOUT CGLCC
Established in 2003, the CGLCC is a national, non-profit industry association committed to forming a broad-based coalition, representative of the various interests of 2SLGBTQI+-owned businesses, allied businesses, corporations, professionals, and students of business for promoting economic growth and prosperity. CGLCC is the certifying body for 2SLGBTQI+-owned businesses in Canada.
Learn more about CGLCC at cglcc.ca.
ABOUT FRESHCO (not the grocery store!)
Freshco is Canada’s #1, full-service, reconstruction and retail maintenance provider operating across Canada and the eastern United States. Freshco’s impressive client list of Fortune 500 retail giants include Tiffany & Co., Apple, Nike, Sephora, The Gap, Banana Republic, Lululemon, Anthropologie, Home Depot, Restoration Hardware and many more.
Learn more about Freshco at freshco.ca and follow @Freshco_Inc on Instagram.
ABOUT MANDY RENNEHAN
Mandy Rennehan is The Blue-Collar CEO™ and Founder of Freshco. Born and raised in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada Mandy is now one of the country’s top female entrepreneurs. Mandy Rennehan is one of The Women’s Executive Network’s (WXN’s) Top 100 Most Powerful Women (2015, 2016 & 2017), Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEOs and Profit Magazine’s W100. She is also a 2017 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award finalist and an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist (2016 & 2017).
Mandy is redefining the collar, blue™. She is an active public speaker, philanthropist, and advocate for the dynamic skilled trades industry. In 2015, she established the Chris Rennehan Scholarship – named after her late brother – an initiative to get youth and women more involved in the trades. Mandy is changing the answer to “what do you want to be when you grow up?”. She an advocate for mentoring and believes there is limitless career potential in the trade industry for those willing to dive in. In 2016, Mandy became a partner of the Conestoga College Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) program and is encouraging women in the trade program by providing both financial support and mentorship opportunities.
Mandy’s continued success will only contribute to her passion for philanthropic projects. Currently, she is focused on revitalizing her hometown of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia for locals, investors and visitors alike. Her work will bring new prosperity and vibrancy to Yarmouth and, to other Canadian cities in the future. Follow @MandyRennehan on Twitter.
ABOUT EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
For more information, please visit ey.com/ca. Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada.
EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
CGLCC MEDIA CONTACT
Darrell Schuurman
darrell@cglcc.ca
(416) 761-5156
FRESHCO MEDIA CONTACT
Talvi Kuld
tk@talvikuld.ca
(416) 917-7323
EY MEDIA CONTACT
Victoria McQueen
victoria.mcqueen@ca.ey.com
(416) 943-3141
