ANNUAL REPORT2017 - 2018

“Harness the power of LGBTQ+ diversity to maximize student potential”

CONTENTS

Message from thePresident of 2017-20183Who We Are4

4 Our Model

Timeline5Our Team6Our CommunityImpact7

Our Initiatives8Collaborations12Our Partners14StrategicObjectives16ContactInformation17

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Over the past decade and a half, the Rotman Commerce Pride Alliance has had to work incredibly hard to establish itself in the minds of students, corporate partners, and the university. The group has come a long way; from a few people meeting in a bar, to being officially recognized by the university, to being known as one of the leading LGBTQ+ undergraduate business organizations in North America. Our team decided we no longer had to fight to get a seat at the table, but rather leverage our position of influence to drive these conversations forward.

The goal of the RCPA heading into the 2017-2018 year was to actively develop LGBTQ+ and ally students. Over the past few years, we have noticed a sharp increase in attention and popularity from students; this allowed us to focus our efforts on mentoring, developing, and growing the students we aim to serve. Looking back, I believe we did just that. Our regularly scheduled programs were met with unprecedented success. We were able to invite more students and partners to our events and initiatives, ultimately bringing the conversation of LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion to the forefront of the brightest minds in Toronto. With the current political climate, this is more important to the RCPA than ever before. While more and more opponents of our collective mission raise their voices, we remain steadfast.

Thank you,

Troy PeschkePresident, 2017 - 2018

many challenges. Whether it be the unconscious biases that keep us from tapping into our true potential, or institutional barriers that prevent us from advancing in our personal and/or professional lives, there are attitudes and norms that we are all working towards changing to create a better business and social environment of tomorrow. While it may seem as though our job is done, we cannot let up. We need to double down on our efforts and make sure that our voices are not lost in the constantly evolving world in which we navigate.

As we transition into the 2018-2019 year, our team has a lot of work ahead of us. Work that will require the continued support from new and existing partners. I would like to personally thank everyone who has provided support to the RCPA in any way, shape, or form in the past; you truly have made a difference in the longevity and impact of the group. I am confident in the continued passion and success of the RCPA moving forward and am excited to watch the story unfold as a proud alumnus.

It has been a ground-breaking year for LGBTQ+ business students across the province, with more student groups similar to the RCPA launching incredible programming for its students. We are excited to see the growing success of all the groups from various universities. While we may be from different academic institutions, we share the same goals and look forward to our continued relationships to have a greater impact than ever before.

“It’s 2018. Why do we still need to talk about LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion?”is a line I often hear from family and friends. While we have come a long way with regards to the rights and protections our community has, we still face

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WHO WE AREThe Rotman Commerce Pride Alliance (RCPA) is an undergraduate LGBTQ+ business organization dedicated to harnessing the diversity of its student body and providing them a platform to further their learning, develop business skills, all while maintaining a focus on LGBTQ Diversity and Inclusion. We shape future business leaders to be more competent and confident versions of themselves, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

OUR MISSION

Harness the power of LGBTQ+

diversity to maximize student potential.

OUR MODEL

Through the assistance of our corporate and community partners,

we seek to target the Diversity our community has to offer, engage them in Inclusion practices, facilitate their Growth, and witness their Achievement. Through educating, engaging, and empowering LGBTQ+ and ally students, we can

create a more diverse, inclusive business landscape.

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WHO WE ARETIMELINE

2003

2011

2010

Renamed as the Rotman Commerce Pride Alliance; launched first DiverCity Case Competition in partnership with KPMG Canada

Queers in Commerce founded, the precursor to the Rotman Commerce Pride Alliance

2015The First Ally Week multimedia campaign, introducing the ally week video with over 6,000 views

2017Launched the first annual report; reached full registration for DiverCity Case Competition within 48 hours

2019Introducing the Pride In Unity LGBTQ+ Conference in collaboration with the Ivey Pride Club, the Ted Rogers Pride Alliance, and the OUT in Business from Wilfrid Laurier University

Launched Panel Discussion in partnership with TD Bank Group

2013Launched Mentorship Program -

first of its kind in Canada between a university and corporations

2016Re-launched Reconnect with

Scotiabank; redesigned and updated website

2018Launched Speed Networking:

Around the World in partnership with the Rotman Commerce

International Business Association at Deloitte Canada

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OUR TEAM2017 - 2018

TROY PESCHKEPresident

CATHERINE TUDirector of Corporate Relations

JOSEPH CHOECo-Director of Events

BOLINDA SHICo-Director of Events

RAISA HOSSAINDirector of Finance

LYDIA YANGDirector of Marketing

KEIRON NARINEDirector of Education

& Community

LINSON LINVice President

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OUR COMMUNITY IMPACT

1,000+ 1 : 3

75%+

50%+15

120

Launched marketing campaigns to target over 1,000 students and raise

their awareness around Allyship

Representatives to students ratio is maintained at 1:3

Over 50% of RCPA team members are self-identified as a part of the

LGBTQ+ community

Matched 15 pairs for Mentorship Program in accordance with mentees’ career aspirations

120 student delegates presented over 20 well-thought-out and

innovative business proposals to the Community One Foundation during

the DiverCity Case Competition

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Over 75% of mentees are part of the community

OUR INITIATIVES

INTERN ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM

Aimed at lower year students, the intern program provides opportunities for engagement in the LGBTQ+ Community. Participating students collaborate with the executives to gain experience in project management and actively influence the growth of RCPA through their new ideas and perspectives.

PANEL DISCUSSION

This interactive panel discussion gives Rotman Commerce students an evening to immerse themselves in topics involving LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion. The panelists, represented by our corporate partners, offer their perspectives on topics ranging from resources available in the workplace to their own personal

stories of inclusion.

OCTOBER

SEPTEMBER

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MENTORSHIPPROGRAM

Established as the first LGBTQ+ student-focused corporate mentorship program in North America, student mentees are matched with mentors based on their career interests. This program provides students with one-on-one interactive opportunities with industry professionals. This year, over 75% of mentees were members of the LGBTQ+ community.

ALLY WEEK

In collaboration with student leaders, Rotman faculty, and our corporate partners, the RCPA’s Ally Week campaign puts LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion on the center stage of student dialogue.

NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

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10

CASE ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATIONCOACHING SESSION

The Case Analysis and Presentation Coaching Session aims to smoothen the transition from the RCPA’s educational portion of our programming to our application-based events. It provides LGBTQ+ and ally students with resources, strategies, and fundamental tools to approach a live business case concerning the LGBTQ+ community. Coached by experienced individuals in case competitions and upper-year student representatives from Rotman Commerce Toastmasters, participants are able to apply their existing practical knowledge while honing their analytical, problem-solving, and presentation skills.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

DIVERCITY CASE COMPETITION

RECONNECT

Reconnect is an intimate year-end networking event that unites students with corporate and community partners to strengthen the relationships built over the past year.

DiverCity is Rotman Commerce’s premier case competition and one of the largest LGBTQ+ case competitions in North America. Teams of students, mentored by industry professionals, work together to apply their knowledge to

solve a live business case for a non-for-profit LGBTQ+ organization.

MARCH

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X

COLLABORATIONS

SEPTEMBER

ROTMAN COMMERCE

FASHION SHOW

This year, the RCPA worked in partnership with the Rotman Commerce Women in Business for their annual Rotman Fashion Show. The event centers around

self-expression in business and casual attire, regardless of gender identity.

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AROUND THE WORLD SPEED NETWORKINGNOVEMBER

This event marked the first joint collaboration between the RCPA and RCIBA. Structured as a rotational networking event, students were encouraged to meet

professionals from various industries and service lines.

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OUR PARTNERS

FOUNDING SPONSOR

CORPORATE CHAMPIONS

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CORPORATE ALLIES

COMMUNITY ALLIES

15

2018 - 2019

INNOVATION

COLLABORATION

EDUCATION

Ally development has always been one of the RCPA’s main

focuses. Educational factors are incorporated into all of our initiatives. This year, the RCPA has built an Equity Training program for student group and orientation-week leaders for the first time. Furthermore, the RCPA

plans to overhaul the Ally Week to increase and build greater

awareness.

The RCPA has formed the LGBTQ+ Business Student Alliance

with Ivey Pride Group, Schulich Proud, Ted Rogers Pride Alliance, OUT in Business and Q+. We plan to continue collaborative ventures with various Rotman Commerce and

University of Toronto student groups aiming to benefit

more students.

The RCPA will strive to elevate our current events

through pre and post-event feedback collected in the past. At

the same time, we plan to add new exciting initiatives in the upcoming school year to celebrate the RCPA’s

15th anniversary.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

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READY TO MOVE FORWARD?

BOLINDA SHIPresident

Rotman Commerce Pride AllianceUniversity of Toronto

+1 647-527-2397bolinda.shi@mail.utoronto.ca

LINSON LINDirector of Corporate Relations

Rotman Commerce Pride AllianceUniversity of Toronto

+1 647-964-1108linson.lin@mail.utoronto.ca

@rcpridealliance

@rcpridealliance

@rotmancommercepridealliance

@Rotman Commerce Pride Alliance

www.rotmancommercepride.ca