By Jack Brittle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On May 27, United Way Golden Horseshoe (UWGH) held the second annual Champions for Change Financial Services Luncheon at the Oakville Conference Centre.
The event was kicked off by Mark Hamel, associate portfolio manager at Manulife Wealth Inc., who was inspired by a similar existing United Way luncheon where lawyers come together to raise money.
“I thought, we don’t have anything like that from the financial services industry,” Hamel said. “And in many ways, our industry is broader. In the room today, we have advisors, fund managers, asset managers, dealers, insurance companies, and insurance advisors. So I thought, what if we all came together for a common cause? What could we do? And I thought the number [we could raise] could be substantial.”
The first luncheon drew approximately 100 attendees who raised close to $100,000.
“At this year’s event, we’ll have close to 240 people in the room, and we’re hoping to raise more than $200,000,” Hamel said.
Kristen Jacob, vice president of marketing and communications for UWGH, said that the money raised from the luncheon will go towards local programs in the community, from housing and food insecurity programs to mental health supports, youth services, and support for mothers and children fleeing intimate partner violence.
Jacob also spoke about the networking opportunities that exist at the event for both fellow financial services members and UWGH itself.
“It’s really important because, as United Way, we’re always looking to work with leaders within our community,” Jacob said. “And there are so many great leaders within the financial services sector that it just makes sense for us to come together in support of those programs, individuals, and families who need the most help in our community. We’ll be asking today for members here to step up and support by giving a hundred dollars a month and be those philanthropic leaders in the community.”
The luncheon also featured a speech by keynote speaker Sébastien Sasseville, who, while living with Type 1 diabetes, has climbed Mount Everest and run across Canada, and completed numerous other endurance challenges.
Sasseville said that the way he has overcome athletic challenges is applicable to many other areas of life.
“Primarily, I speak about leadership, teamwork and change,” Sasseville said. “And it didn’t take me long to realize that what you do in sports and adventure is so similar to the business world.”
Hamel said that Sasseville was the perfect choice for the event.
“When we looked at speakers, that message really resonated with me because that’s what we’re talking about,” Hamel said, “A community of advisors in the financial services industry working together to accomplish a goal of making our community a more resilient place and a better place for everyone to thrive. His message is so powerful and resonates with what we think Champions for Change is all about.”
In his opening statement to attendees, Hamel said he was inspired by the turnout at the luncheon and the camaraderie displayed by those who work in a traditionally competitive industry.
He also highlighted a similarity between UWGH and those in his line of work.
“We help people navigate uncertainty, we help them build stability, and we help them protect what matters most and create better futures,” Hamel said. “The United Way is doing that same work, but on a much broader scale.”
By the end of the luncheon, more than $200,000 had been raised to support local organizations and programs across the region.
