2021 Virtual EY Pitch Series – Finale

Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with EY, hosted the 2021 Virtual EY Pitch Series throughout the early part of the year. This annual event provides LGBT+ certified suppliers the opportunity to present their business to a panel of judges, connects them with mentors from EY, and celebrates their success.

This year’s Virtual EY Pitch Series began with a Virtual Networking Kickoff Reception on February 4, where dozens of attendees heard from Theresa Harrison, Director of Environmental Social Governance Series with EY – as well as a panel consisting of past EY Pitch Series participants: Kailey Gilchrist from NONA Vegan Foods; Kai Scott from TransFocus Consulting; and Ted Flett from Zubas Flett Law. The panelists were joined by Lori Benson, Environmental Social Governance Services Canadian Lead with EY and founder of the EY Pitch Series.

The First Virtual Pitch Session took place on February 24, 2021. Three participants pitched their businesses to a panel of a dozen judges from EY: Kenneth Wong and Hasan Kazmi from LAERE Inc.; Jordan Williams and Raine Gould from Lahava Magazine; and Silvain Brisson from QUASAR. LAERE Inc. was selected by the judges to proceed to the 2021 Virtual EY Pitch Series Finale.

The Second Virtual Pitch Series took place on March 25, 2021. Three participants pitched their businesses to a panel of a dozen judges from EY: Scott Cameron from RainbowConnect.ca; Aharon Trottier from Bodé Spa for Men; and Rafael Silva from ExtraBio.net. Bodé Spa for Men was selected by the judges to proceed to the 2021 Virtual EY Pitch Series Finale.

The Third Virtual Pitch Series took place on April 29, 2021. Four participants pitched their businesses to a panel of a dozen judges from EY: Jonathan Marrriott from accessCAN; Spencer Timms from Corporate Speciality Services; Dustin Blondin-Lejeune from Mixologists Bartending; and Leanne Duncan from Virtro. Mixologists Bartending was selected by the judges to proceed to the 2021 Virtual EY Pitch Series.

For the second year in a row – EY selected a previous pitch participant to proceed to the Finale as a wildcard selection. EY selected accessCAN – who joined LAERE Inc., Bodé Spa for Men, and Mixologists Bartending as finalists.

In the month prior to the Finale, the four finalists were paired with mentors from EY to perfect their pitch. This years mentors were: Sharif Barrad, Associate Partner, Consulting/PI-Supply Chain & Operations; Stacey Morgan, Markets and Business Development; Josée Rioux, Program Lead – EY Entrepreneur of the Year; and Rachel Rodrigues, Partner. Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce would like to sincerely thank all mentors for lending their time and expertise to the finalists.

The Grand Finale took place at New World: 2021 Digital LGBT+ Global Business Summit. The finalists presented their pitches to dozens of attendees and a panel of judges from EY. 

accessCAN was announced as the 2021 Virtual EY Pitch Series winner at the 2021 LGBT+ Excellence in Business & Leadership Awards – revealed by Zach Pendley, Partner and Senior Vice President with EY.

accessCAN will receive a full scholarship (approximate value of $5,000) to the Supplier Diversity Professional Excellence Program at Tuck Executive Education at Dartmouth College. Tuck has accumulated a significant amount of expertise on the subject of corporate supplier diversity, with deep faculty expertise in global supply chain management, executive leadership, strategy, and communications. The curriculum helps them better serve their internal corporate customers and the diverse businesses they are charged to support. This scholarship will cover tuition, materials, and accommodations and meals (if in person).

Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all ten participants in this year’s EY Virtual Pitch Series, including the four finalists. We would also like to thank the ongoing support from EY, specifically Lori Benson, for their dedication in supplier development. These efforts benefit our Supplier Diversity Program, suppliers, and corporate members.

We’re beginning to collect expressions of interest for the 2022 EY Pitch Series. If you’d like to participate, please complete this form.