EcoMaris and the Lise Watier Foundation join forces to offer entrepreneurial mentoring for women on the waters of the St. Lawrence
The sail training ship EcoMaris continues its social mission with the 2022 edition of its Opportunity Road program dedicated to women starting or developing a business. This year, EcoMaris is collaborating with the Lise Watier Foundation by welcoming participants from the Foundation’s Let’s Start Up program. The journey will begin in Rimouski on June 29 and the sailboat will dock in Quebec City on July 5.
“Opportunity Road is a unique occasion for participants to develop entrepreneurial skills through sailing, but also by taking the time to learn from each other,” said Anne-Marie Hodgson, who is in charge of the Opportunity Road.
The Lise Watier Foundation offers the Let’s Start Up program to women who wish to carry out a professional project related to entrepreneurship, the pursuit of post-secondary studies or the search for a more fulfilling job. The stay aboard the sailboat EcoMaris will allow them to boost their confidence, practice the entrepreneurial skills they have developed and deepen their professional project while building a professional support network. During the expedition, all women are expected to participate in navigation, food preparation and boat maintenance, in addition to taking part in coaching sessions.
The nine (9) participants will be supported by three mentors: Marielle Boyer, Program Director of the Lise Watier Foundation, Susie St-Onge, President of Ephemax Conseils Inc, and Manon Cambefort, Executive Director of ADEL.
“This crossing will allow women to leave their comfort zone, put their professional project in perspective and transfer their entrepreneurial skills in various situations,” says Marie-Lise Andrade, President and CEO of the Lise Watier Foundation.
The sailboat, with an all-female crew, will be led by Captain Caroline Dick. With 8 years of experience as a navigation officer on merchant ships in Europe, she has been working at the Institut maritime du Québec in Rimouski as a teacher in the Navigation Department for 12 years.
Special thanks to Lolë for providing the participant’s clothing and to the Chamandy Foundation for supporting the EcoMaris Opportunity Road program.
About EcoMaris
EcoMaris is a non-profit organization that promotes environmental awareness and education (EE) through concrete environmental boating projects. EcoMaris offers participants the chance to discover and study different marine ecosystems during sailing expeditions. Concrete activities to restore the image of a living, dynamic river in the heart of the population.
www.ecomaris.org
