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“The most powerful moments for me are when you see that shift happen—when a woman realizes she’s not alone anymore, and that someone truly believes in her ability to rebuild,” said Karen Ramchuk.
As President and CEO of Calgary’s Women In Need Society (WINS), she’s witnessed this transformation countless times, because WINS focuses on meeting women where they are in their lives and provides practical support for those navigating those challenging circumstances.
Yet it wasn’t until they were gifted access to Calgary’s Chamber of Commerce that Ramchuk realized just how much further WINS could reach.
“Becoming a member of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce opened doors that simply wouldn’t have been accessible to us otherwise,” said Ramchuk. “It connected WINS to a broader business and leadership community, increased our credibility as a social enterprise, and gave us opportunities to build relationships with organizations that could champion our work.”
Women in Need Society focuses on readiness, access to affordable goods, and community connection, while also restoring dignity, confidence, and hope.
WINS’ story is part of a bigger picture. Through Chamber sponsorships across Canada, RBC is opening doors for organizations transforming communities—one membership, one connection at a time.
“We see the Chamber as a catalyst for connection and growth,” said Jerilynn Daniels, Regional Director, Community Marketing and Citizenship at RBC for Alberta and the Territories. “WINS is an organization that changes lives every day, and we appreciated the opportunity to help expand their impact.”
In the fall of 2025, WINS was awarded the CPA Alberta Social Entrepreneurship Award, part of the Calgary Chamber’s annual recognition event. The award recognizes small businesses in Calgary that blend entrepreneurship with social impact.
“When I received the news, some of the first people I reached out to were collaborators who had supported us along the way, including Jerilynn Daniels from RBC,” said Ramchuk. “Their belief in our work played an important role in helping us get to this moment.”
The WINS team after receiving the CPA Alberta Social Entrepreneurship Award (left to right): Derrell Buk, Logistics and Donation Centre Manager, Kelly Mac Vicar, Board of Directors Vice-Chair, Greg Wagland, Director of Philanthropy, Karen Ramchuk, President and CEO, Misun Shin, CFO, Leah Stewart, Marketing and Communication Manager, Tom Whalen, former Board of Director Member
Across Canada, chambers of commerce serve as a convenors and catalysts for inclusive and prosperous business communities. They promote economic policies, host events that foster meaningful networking opportunities, and shine a spotlight on local organizations like WINS.
“At their core, the chambers help profile their members and encourage networking,” said Erin Closs, RBC Vice President in Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. “Through this collaboration, RBC has been able to help profile some of our clients, identify new opportunities, and create meaningful connections that generate business.”
Some collaborations run especially deep. In Hamilton, Ontario, RBC is nearing its 50th year of collaboration with the local chamber—a relationship that includes board participation and active involvement in events, panels, and initiatives like the Bay Area Economic Summit hosted in collaboration with the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.
“For me, a few things really stand out given the RBC-Chamber collaboration, and there are many moments to choose from,” said Maria Artuso, past Vice President, Commercial Financial Services, RBC in Hamilton. “Strengthening communities and building a more inclusive business landscape are at the core of what we believe in at RBC. Collaborations with local Chambers commerce help us achieve these goals.”
It’s a pattern playing out coast-to-coast: Chambers profile members, RBC helps to opens doors, and organizations like WINS discover their full potential. The impact compounds—one membership, one connection, one transformed life at a time.
Karen Ramchuk didn’t expect a networking membership would lead to a boost towards helping Calgary women and their families thrive. But as she’s learned countless times in her work: The most powerful transformations often begin with someone simply believing you belong at the table.
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