Beyond March: Leadership, Mentorship & Human Connection for Women

As part of the France Canada Chamber of Commerce’s Beyond March initiative — a platform dedicated to advancing resilience, mentorship, and leadership beyond International Women’s Day — the Chamber recently hosted a powerful executive roundtable bringing together senior leaders from TD Bank, the GEM Mentorship Program, and members of the Franco-Canadian business community.

Centered on the future of leadership in an era of rapid technological and societal transformation, the discussion explored how organizations can remain both innovative and deeply human. A recurring theme throughout the evening was clear: while technology is reshaping industries, relationships, trust, and mentorship remain the true drivers of long-term impact.

TD leadership shared the bank’s vision of becoming a “digitally first, human-led” organization — leveraging AI to simplify operations and improve efficiency while preserving meaningful client relationships. From faster credit approvals to AI-powered support across more than 1,000 branches, the conversation demonstrated how technology is transforming banking. Yet speakers emphasized that empathy, judgment, and authentic human connection remain irreplaceable.

The evening also highlighted the importance of resilience, adaptability, and curiosity in leadership. Participants encouraged young professionals to embrace non-linear career paths, international experiences, and calculated risks — reinforcing the idea that growth often comes from stepping outside one’s comfort zone.

One of the most inspiring moments of the event came through the presentation of the GEM Mentorship Program, which connects young women with professional mentors to support confidence-building, career guidance, and leadership development. The story of Rosie — once a shy student unsure of her future, now mentoring the next generation as GEM Program Coordinator — powerfully illustrated the long-term ripple effect mentorship can create.

The roundtable strongly reflected the mission of Beyond March: creating spaces where corporate leadership, mentorship, and community impact intersect to empower the next generation of leaders. Through initiatives like these, the Chamber continues to strengthen bridges between business, talent, and social impact across the Franco-Canadian ecosystem.