The Greennovation Event series 2023, powered by Libro Credit Union, aimed at providing social entrepreneurs and innovators their own stage. Social entrepreneurs play a critical role in community development and social betterment in local and global communities.
We had two key events as part of the series; the first was the Greennovation Workshop held virtually on Circular Economy with speaker Gurbeen Bhasin, and the second was the Greennovatiion Social held in person at Bloomin’ Gardener in Old Castle.
With a diverse range of participants and thought-provoking discussions, the events provided a platform for innovative individuals to share their ideas and actions for a more sustainable future.
The Greennovation Workshop on circular economy was hosted by a renowned sustainability advocate, Gurbeen Bhasin. She is the Executive Director and Founder of Aangen. Aangen is a social
enterprise based out of Toronto offering support in employment for underrepresented groups, food security, and coaching to social enterprises. In her virtual session, she told her personal story and addressed many forward-thinking topics, such as the weight of actual needs in our society, food rescue, composting, and much more. Her contribution to the world is to bring her purpose beyond profit FULL circle and work to shift us from a greed economy to a need economy.
The Greennovation Social was hosted at beautiful Bloomin’ Gardner under their stunning Tropical Greenhouse. Attendees were greeted by a vibrant atmosphere with bright light entering the space paired with beautiful plants and greenery.
The evening was kicked off with opening remarks from EPICentre’s Director Wen Teoh and Libro Credit Unions Regional Manager Lori Atkinson. They both set the stage and expressed commitment to the efforts of attendees in our Windsor-Essex community and beyond to create a more sustainable world.
Moderated by Gurbeen Bhasin, the panel discussion opened up engaging conversations about the challenges and opportunities social entrepreneurs
and changemakers face working towards environmental causes. Panelists included: Nadia Harduar, Sustainability Officer at UWindsor; Paul Mancini, Co-Founder of Green Future Growth; Dane Fader, Founder of Greener Farms; Niharika Bandaru, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Windsor of Change, and Stepan Tuzlov Co-Founder and Business Operations of Windsor of Change. With each question asked, they offered a different perspective into what measures they spirit in their own positions or organizations to create change as Greennovators. One of the panel’s highlights was realizing the many ways their projects could intersect and collaborate.
Throughout the event, attendees had the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and forge meaningful connections. One of the elements that supported such authentic connections was a meditation following the panel
discussion from Laura Stainer, Founder and Certified Aromatherapist at Bespoke Aromatherapy. Laura’s presentations reminded all in attendance that while caring for our purpose, we must remember to keep caring and compassion for ourselves.
We had interactive booths set up from Windsor of Change to Green Future Growth and Bespoke Aromatherapy and a workbook available for social entrepreneurs called Flourish. All of the food was catered by Green Heart Kitchen, a social enterprise based in Kingsville, which prepared a beautiful plant-based and sustainably packaged bowl bar with apple oat cookies for dessert.
As the event drew to a close, a sense of inspiration and determination filled the room, including a change in weather with a thunderstorm and lightning. A few of the panelists expressed that perhaps the storm was mother nature and the earth’s response to the topics discussed! Attendees left with renewed motivation, new ideas, and connections to continue their impactful work.
