Skip to main content
Thursday, November 5, 2026 Canada’s leading platform for small business insights
CanadianSME Business Magazine

No matches yet — press Enter to search everything.

Advertise With Us Subscribe Free
Menu
Subscribe Free
Women Entrepreneurship

A special IWD message from Nancy Gardiner

"Since joining the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), I have been inspired by stories...

CanadianSMEPublished March 6, 2022 · 1 min read
Small Business Canada

Small Business Canada

“Since joining the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), I have been inspired by stories of women entrepreneurs who lead companies across all sectors of our economy.

Having worked at Women and Gender Equality Canada, I know the importance of advancing gender equality as it relates to economic participation and prosperity.  To that end, FedDev Ontario is proud to support women-led businesses and not-for-profit organizations across southern Ontario so that they have access to the tools they need to succeed.

For example, nearly 17,000 women (from all backgrounds) in southern Ontario have been supported through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund. We will continue to build on these efforts to help achieve an equitable and diverse economic future for all Canadians. 

Watch our social media channels and our website as we highlight women entrepreneurs through the month of March.“


Nancy Gardiner

President, Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario 

Nancy Gardiner became President of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario on September 1, 2021.

Prior to joining the Agency, Ms. Gardiner was Assistant Deputy Minister, Programs and Operations at Women and Gender Equality Canada, where she was able to advance gender equality through significant investments in key programs, policies and initiatives. Nancy has held several senior leadership positions in the public service including at Service Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada. 

Her extensive experience in delivering complex social and economic programs serves as a great asset to the Agency and its mandate. With over 25 years of progressive achievement, Nancy has garnered a diversified background concentrated in program design, operational delivery, strategic planning and policy development.

Born and raised in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Ms. Gardiner graduated from St. Mary’s University, Halifax, receiving a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology from Acadia University, Wolfville.

Nancy resides in Ottawa with her husband Gary and her two children, Georgia and Garrison.

CanadianSME

With an aim to contribute to the development of Canada’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s), Cmarketing Inc is a potential marketing agency and a boutique business management company progressing rapidly in its scope. By acknowledging a firm reliance of the Canadian economy over its SMEs, the agency has resolved to launch a magazine, the pure focus of which will be the furtherance of Canadian SMEs, and to assist their progress with the scheduled token of enlightenment via the magazine’s pertinent content.

View profile →

Related articles

Free every month
CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, October 2026, featuring executive coach Nadine Zeinoun Khoury
October 2026 issue out now
Free for Canadian business owners

Get the Magazine and the Tuesday Briefing

Each new issue of CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, plus a weekly email with CRA deadlines and grant intakes.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. See our privacy policy.
Free

By downloading you agree to our terms and privacy policy.
· Reader offer

Enter your email to unlock the code. You’ll also get the Tuesday Briefing — unsubscribe anytime.