Trish Mandewo

President & Founder, Synergy On Boards Consulting Group

Getting Inspired Lightning Sessions: Black entrepreneurs share their experiences

An accomplished award-winning serial entrepreneur and diversity & inclusion strategist Trish Mandewo is President and Founder of Synergy On Boards Consulting Group. She is an advocate for social change through various initiatives that champion and empower outsider groups. Through her love of governance, she co-founded Synergy on Boards Consulting Group to help Black, Indigenous and other visible minority women be board ready and help bridge the gap of diversified voices in the boardroom.

Trish has successfully built four businesses and two non profits. She is the author of Growth Strategies For The Hungry Entrepreneur, mentor and inspirational speaker. She has received numerous awards including 2017 RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant. She currently sits on several boards including Union of BC municipalities (UBCM) and Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LMLGA) and The Coquitlam Foundation. She has an extensive history on executive boards and committees.

She is an elected official for the City of Coquitlam. Trish believes that knowledge is valuable when shared with others. She is happiest when empowering and accelerating others to reach their potential.

Black Opportunity Fund (BOF)

Black Opportunity Fund (BOF) is a community-led registered Canadian Charitable organization, that supports a  prosperous, healthy and thriving Black Canada by challenging anti-Black racism in two ways by:

  1. Responding to long-standing underinvestment in Black communities 
  2. Working nationally to strengthen collective actions by Black organizations and leaders, helping them to create new and more impactful ways to support and advocate for our community. 

 

BOF prioritizes initiatives around education and youth, health, women and gender, criminal justice, entrepreneurship, arts, culture and recreation, and food insecurity, that impact the quality of life in Black communities across Canada.  

Upcoming events to highlight:

  • BOF x ByBlacks National Restaurant Week: we are a lead sponsor for the ByBlacks National Restaurant Week, Spring edition 2024 which runs from May 20 to 26, 2024.  ByBlacks Restaurant Week (BRW) is a semi-annual national food festival. During this event, Black-owned Canadian restaurants, caterers, pop-ups, and food trucks offer a Prix Fixe (special) menu or a $10 special discounted by up to 25% for seven days. Join us in this week-long celebration of culinary diversity! There are a number of restaurants in Western Canada participating so check it out: https://byblacks.com/restaurantweek

 

  • BOF x DoorDash #BlackFoodEnergy grant program: BOF has confirmed funding for the #BlackFoodEnergy grant program for Black Restaurants across Canada for the next 4 years. #BlackFoodEnergy celebrates, amplifies and supports Black Chefs and Black-Owned restaurants and the amazing things they are serving up in neighborhoods across Canada. The funding commitment for the extended agreement will be announced in June 2024 along with the launch of the #BlackFoodEnergy grant

Juno

Juno develops a compact, discreet and wearable device that eliminates menstrual pain instantly and over long periods.

Work and Chill Games

Work and Chill Games is a platform that helps companies find and book fun activities for their employees. It makes it easy for companies to plan engaging experiences that boost team spirit and productivity. With Work and Chill Games, employees can enjoy memorable activities that make work more enjoyable and build a positive work culture.