Working With Women

As one of the only female-led advisory teams on the South Shore and we love working with women! Our female clients often come to us in times of transition, following either the death of their spouse or a divorce. We also enjoy working with young female business owners or professionals growing their practices.

Those who feel overwhelmed because they haven’t previously been responsible for managing their own financial lives value the high level of trust they have in us. They appreciate the assurance of having us walk shoulder-to-shoulder with them to alleviate any unease they may have regarding financial decisions. Fortunately, they aren’t afraid to ask questions, respond well to coaching, and are willing to engage in open and honest conversation about financial planning and how it fits in the big picture.

 

The Isner Crouse Business Award

To support young women who aspire to build a career in business, we proudly sponsor the Nova Scotia Community College Business Scholarship – The Isner Crouse Business Award.

It all began in 2018 when Michelle was co-chair of the Make Way campaign to raise capital to renovate and upgrade the College’s facilities and support students by providing emergency funding and scholarships. Michelle committed to fund a five-year scholarship for women in the business program, knowing that many students juggle parenthood with classwork and face other personal challenges in completing their education. When Naomi joined the team, she enthusiastically got on board and we doubled our commitment. Learn more.

 

BMO Private Wealth celebrates and supports women

At Isner Crouse Wealth Advisory Group, we also work to empower women by being role models and encouraging women to enter an advisory career. BMO Private Wealth has a strong commitment to supporting women and is a good home for women to build their careers.

Today’s investment industry reality is that “In Canada, Barron estimated that about 23% of all financial advisors are women…Even though many firms are trying to increase their diversity, moving that number is still an industry work in progress.

We’re proud to say that attracting female advisors is a priority for our firm. BMO Private Wealth has proactively promoted and supported its female advisors by helping us to develop our careers and have the flexibility to achieve work/life balance.

The firm also supports female business owners and has earmarked $5B to lend to women entrepreneurs.

 

BMO Celebrating Women Program

As part of their long-standing commitment to help women advance, BMO created the Celebrating Women Program to honour exceptional local women for their contributions to business and the community in three categories: Innovation and Global Growth, Community and Charitable Giving, or Expansion and Growth in Small Business.

We are extremely proud that two local honourees have been chosen from an impressive field of business owners and professionals across the province:

  • Elspeth McLean-Wile of Wile’s Lake Farm Market & Bakery, a local agricultural entrepreneur and community advocate, was honoured in the Community & Charitable Giving category for her work in establishing NOW Lunenburg County – an organization whose purpose was to build paths toward a vibrant and sustainable Lunenburg County economy.
  • Evelyn Ernst, co-founder of Terra Beata Farms, a successful manufacturing and exporting business, ranked 48th on the Profit 500 List of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies (2013), received the Innovation and Global Growth award.

 

Nova Scotia Community College - Isner Crouse Business Award

Supporting young women aspiring towards a career in business.

Click here for the 2022-2023 NSCC Isner Crouse Business Award recipients.

 

BMO For Women & Women Of Influence

Michelle Crouse was approached by BMO for Women, in collaboration with Women of Influence, to be part of a series of articles featured on their website. 

The articles feature female Investment Advisors from across the country who had built their business from the ground up, giving them a platform to discuss their careers and personal experiences.

Michelle was inspired to participate because she feels it’s important for women to tell their stories. We invite you to take a look, Click here.

 

About Women of Influence

Women of Influence is dedicated to the advancement of professional women. You can visit their website here for articles and events.

 

A Woman of Influence is

  • An Authentic Leader
  • An Inspiring Role Model
  • An Extraordinary Achiever
  • A Catalyst for Change
  • Engaged in Life

 

International Women’s Day 2023

Each year, BMO celebrates the women of Private Wealth – This March, Michelle took pride in sharing what #EmbraceEquity means to her and the power of creating a gender-equal world.

“Imagine a world where we embrace and celebrate the achievements of women in our communities. Imagine a gender-equal world. We will succeed when we share our stories, listen with empathy, and encourage women to move forward with confidence. We all have a responsibility to empower women to believe in themselves and use their talents to mold their own futures. Together, we can give our daughters and granddaughters role models they can identify with so they can see their future selves.”

 

 

"We all have a responsibility to empower women to believe in themselves and use their talents to mold their own futures" — Michelle Crouse, Senior Wealth Advisor