Women make up a larger share of the population, and while the number of female entrepreneurs has grown in recent years, it’s still nowhere near proportional. Systemic barriers, competing priorities, and a lack of tailored resources continue to stand in the way of women reaching their full potential as business leaders. The very existence of International Women’s Day reminds us that progress is ongoing—and that greater growth is yet to come.
HR is one of the few business functions where women tend to dominate, a reflection of their well-documented strengths in empathy and people-centric leadership. But for female entrepreneurs, managing HR can become another demand on an already full plate. With the right support and resources, women in leadership can shift their focus to innovation, strategy, and business growth.
By acknowledging these challenges and building solutions that meet the needs of female leaders, we’re not just closing gaps—we’re shaping the future of entrepreneurship. And when female leaders can rely on a trusted partner like Citation Canada to ensure the people who power their business are supported, they gain the freedom to focus on driving their vision forward.
Carlie Bell
Director of Consulting, Citation Canada
Carlie Bell is a dedicated change agent, entrepreneur, and advocate for women in leadership. With over 20 years of experience developing business acumen and leadership skills—particularly in young women—she has shaped the next generation of female entrepreneurs and professionals.Her career began in academia at Canada’s only women’s university, Brescia University College at Western, where she mentored emerging leaders, advised The Pink Ties (an all-female business club), and was an invited guest lecturer for the FLAIR Student Leadership Conferences. Carlie later transitioned into entrepreneurship, founding her own consulting practice to provide strategic guidance to female business owners and leaders. She is now Director of Consulting at Citation Canada.
As an expert in change management, leadership development, and business strategy, Carlie has co-authored research on female entrepreneurship and continues to support women’s professional growth through coaching and mentorship. She is also an advocate for equity in sports, serving as the head trainer and team manager for her daughter’s hockey team in London’s only all-female league.
