At the Table – October 2025
ABOUT EVENT:
At the Table with Isabelle Hudon
Speaker:
Isabelle Hudon, President and Chief Executive Officer of BDC
Canada’s small and medium-sized businesses are navigating rapid change, global trade shifts, new technologies, and demographic transitions. At the forefront of supporting entrepreneurs through this evolution is BDC, led by President and CEO Isabelle Hudon, who is focused on helping SMEs adapt, innovate, and strengthen Canada’s economy.
Each year, BDC hosts Small Business Week, a national celebration spotlighting the remarkable achievements and vital contributions of small and medium-sized businesses across Canada. As part of the celebration, we’ll be welcoming Hudon, a bold leader with an action-oriented vision. She will share how BDC is working to empower Canadian entrepreneurs and position SMEs for long-term growth and resilience.
PROGRAM
Location: Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Blvd.
Thursday, October 23, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Member Rate: $50 + tax
Non-Member Rate: $100 + tax
To learn more about the benefits of a Chamber membership, including discounted ticket rates click here.
Title Sponsors
Reception Sponsor
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Recognized as a mobilizing leader with a keen sense of strategy, Isabelle Hudon has systematically brought an ambitious and resolutely action-oriented vision to all of the organizations she has led. She was appointed President and CEO of BDC in August 2021, after serving as Ambassador of Canada to France and Monaco for four years and holding the positions of President and CEO (Quebec) and Senior Vice President (Canada) of Sun Life Financial.
Since joining BDC, Isabelle has dedicated herself to putting the ‘D’ in BDC at the forefront of the activities and priorities of her 2,500 colleagues. Driven by a strong desire to increase the organization’s contribution to the country’s development through its entrepreneurs, she is accelerating the deployment of multiple initiatives across BDC that will enable the organization to increase its impact and contribute to fair, inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
In addition to her duties at BDC, Isabelle is co-chair of the Ordre de Montréal’s Council and the co-founder of The A Effect. She previously served as the Personal Representative of the Prime Minister of Canada for La Francophonie and sat on the boards of directors of Hydro-Québec, Groupe Marcelle, Holt Renfrew and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Isabelle Hudon has received several notable awards. In recognition of her contributions to society, she was honoured with an honourary degree of Doctor of Law from Concordia University, and the insignia of the Commander of the Legion of Honour from the French government. Her contributions to culture in Canada earned her the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Isabelle’s commitment to women’s ambition was acknowledged with the Medal of the National Assembly of Quebec, and her efforts to promote the vitality of the francophonie were celebrated with the insignia of the Ordre de la Pléiade from the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie. She has also been inducted into the Women’s Executive Network Hall of Fame, following multiple recognitions as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100.