IMPACT INITIATIVE

TD believes in Rafaelle

Abe Adham, Chair, Quebec Market, TD Bank Group and Rafaelle Dubreuil-Gagnon, Let’s Start Up Graduate

From massage therapy to specialized acupuncture, building her clinic for women’s health

TD: A committed partner for women’s future

TD Bank Group joins forces with the Lise Watier Foundation’s IMPACT Initiative with a clear conviction: to support women’s financial independence and promote their inclusion across all areas of society. For TD, investing in women’s leadership and entrepreneurship directly contributes to a more equitable and prosperous society. By supporting Rafaelle Dubreuil-Gagnon in bringing her project to life, TD reaffirms its role as a catalyst for change and solidarity.

At TD, we believe that every woman entrepreneur deserves the tools, support, and confidence needed to achieve her ambitions. By supporting the Lise Watier Foundation, we help open doors, inspire boldness, and break down barriers. Every project that comes to life brings our society closer to a more equitable and inclusive world a world where talent and determination can fully thrive. ’’ – Abe Adham, Chair, Quebec Market, TD Bank Group

Rafaelle: Creativity, resilience, and a passion for women’s health

Rafaelle grew up in a family of artists, in a creatively rich but loosely structured environment, which presented several challenges. After pausing her studies in communications, a trip to China transformed her life by revealing a deep passion for Chinese medicine. Despite multiple rejections from acupuncture programs, Rafaelle never gave up: she turned to massage therapy to support herself and her daughter, whom she raises as a single mother. Determined, she resumed her studies in literature to strengthen her academic record and was eventually admitted to an acupuncture program, which she was able to pursue thanks to the financial support of the Lise Watier Foundation, all while balancing motherhood and work. Driven by the desire for freedom and financial independence to provide her daughter with a more stable future, Rafaelle now aims to open her own acupuncture clinic. The Let’s Start Up Pathway has been a crucial lever in structuring her project, providing hands-on guidance and financial support toward entrepreneurship.

An acupuncture clinic dedicated to women’s health

Rafaelle’s project is both innovative and impactful: to open a collaborative acupuncture clinic entirely focused on women’s health. Her ambition is to support women through the various stages of their lives fertility, motherhood, and peri-menopause using a holistic approach that promotes well-being, balance, and empowerment over their own health.

TD and Rafaelle: A collaboration turning a dream into reality

The TD Bank Group’s support through the IMPACT Initiative represents a decisive springboard for Rafaelle. The grant will allow her to take specialized training in perinatal, gynecological, and obstetric acupuncture, strengthening her expertise and the quality of care she can provide to her future patients. Additionally, mentorship will give her essential guidance on clinic legal structure, financial management, time organization, and leadership development.

Together, TD and Rafaelle form a win-win collaboration: the bank actively contributes to women’s economic empowerment, while Rafaelle brings her entrepreneurial vision to life by equipping herself with the tools to build a unique and inclusive clinic. The impact is tangible: more than support, it is a true bridge between ambition and achievement.