Women’s Council Café: Surviving 2020

Taking a no-filter approach to discussing the collision of work, life, and COVID-19, discover how women from all walks of life are navigating the new normal with an eye on the horizon for a better, yet currently hazy future. The October Women’s Council Café will offer you a frank, interactive panel discussion on the positive, negative,  surprising, and often hilarious compromises that have come about as a result of our new normal.

Grab a glass of wine, log on, and join the conversation with our three dynamic panelists:

Christabelle Zhang, RBC Commercial Account Manager
Pam Bhatti, CFO, Audio Insider Technology Design
Ramneet Basraon, Ikonik Homes

Moderated by Dani Ferenc, Alabaster Homes Director of Construction, hear how our panelists have managed to find normalcy in an increasingly abnormal world – a conversation that is not focused on careers or next professional steps, but the intersection of when work and life become blended.

Date:   October 21
Time:   4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Place:  Online
(This complimentary event requires pre-registration to secure a log-in link, sent out prior to the event)

Online Café Take-Aways:

• Hear from women about how they are making their personal and work life functional during COVID-19
• Gain insight from an honest, open, and empathetic conversation about coping in the year 2020
• Discover positive solutions that have come from this “new normal”
• Join the conversation! Direct your thoughts and questions to the panel through the interactive chat
• Participate in the general meeting following the panel discussion. HAVAN’s Women’s Council is a relatable place for you to share ideas, connect, have a laugh, and to be heard!

PANEL GUEST BIOS:

Christabelle Zhang is a commercial account manager at RBC, with the majority of her clients in real estate and construction products and services. During her 10 year career in banking, she has financed a $130 million syndicated loan facility for a lumber company and secured $1 million financing for a start-up company. While balancing work and being the mother of a 5 year old, she has also volunteered for a number of organizations including Richmond Caring Place as a board member, Forum for Women Entrepreneurs as a business mentor, and most recently HAVAN Women’s Council as Chair of Industry Tours. She is passionate about continuous learning, diversity, socially responsible enterprises, and connecting with people to inspire and get inspired.

Pam Bhatti obtained her law degree in 2002 and has been practicing criminal law since 2003, as Crown Counsel with the BC Ministry of Justice and a mother to 3 rambunctious kids. Despite this seemingly incongruent career, construction has been her family’s business for over 20 years. More recently, she, along with her partner, Mike Freedman started an innovative business (Audio Insider Technology Design) in technology consulting and design in the fall of 2019, providing needs-based technology solutions for residential and commercial clients. In addition to all this, she maintains a keen interest in women’s rights and has acted on the Board of Directors of West Coast LEAF,  is a member of the Network to End Violence in Relationships, and an active member of the Soroptimists, an organization dedicated to the bettering the lives of Women and Girls.

Ramneet Basraon is from Ikonik Homes – a real estate development business backed by years of experience. Ramneet manages the External Affairs and Branding aspects of Ikonik Homes. She has experience in real estate development/management for the Healthcare, Retail, and Residential industries. Outside of work – Ramneet is working towards completing her Master of Business Administration.

Dani Ferenc is Alabaster’s Director of Construction and is responsible for the Management of all Alabaster Construction projects. She has over 10 years of senior-level management experience in various construction build forms. Dani has built over 800 multifamily units and has demonstrated strong leadership in the management of trades and sub-trades. Her expertise in cost and budget management sets her apart as an industry exemplar. She is a graduate of BCIT’s architectural and building engineering technology program with a specialization in building envelope.