The Women4Climate Toronto Mentorship Program empowers and supports female climate leaders who are working to develop and implement innovative solutions to address the climate emergency in Toronto.
Ten to 12 women will be selected to join Toronto’s 2023 cohort of the Women4Climate Toronto Mentorship Program. Through a combination of mentoring, training and networking opportunities, participants will be provided with the resources and supports necessary to take their climate-related project, product or business start-up to the next level.
Following the mentorship program, the City of Toronto and its partners will host a pitch competition that will recognize the top three climate-related projects with the greatest potential to contribute to a healthier, more sustainable and resilient urban future in the city of Toronto. The women with the top three projects will receive a cash award and additional support to advance their work. The winner will receive $20,000 and two runners-up will each receive $5,000.
Toronto is one of three cities in Canada and 21 cities globally participating in C40 Cities Women4Climate Mentorship Program, which aims to support 400 women across the globe in accelerating their climate projects.
The leadership and participation of women is critical in solving the global climate crisis. Women also make up more than half the world’s population and are often disproportionately impacted by climate change.
Applications open: November 9, 2022
Applications close: December 6, 2022
Application screening and candidate interviews: December 7, 2022 – January 9, 2023
Mentoring, training and networking: January, 2023 – May, 2023
Pitch competition: June, 2023
Over the course of six months, participants will benefit from a combination of mentoring, training and networking opportunities. As a participant, you will:
Following the mentorship program, the City of Toronto and its partners will host a pitch competition where the women with the top three projects will receive a cash award and additional support to advance their work. The Winner will be awarded $20,000 and two runner-up projects will receive $5,000 each.
Toronto’s population is made up of diverse communities and groups. The City of Toronto values the contributions made by all residents and is committed to its motto, “Diversity Our Strength”.
The City of Toronto recognizes the barriers presented by discrimination and the disadvantages faced by equity-deserving groups and vulnerable populations. In particular, the City recognizes the unique status and cultural diversity of Indigenous communities and their right to self-determination.
Women4Climate Toronto acknowledges the importance of intersectionality and encourages applications from female-identifying and two-spirited applicants of diverse cultures, races, religions and abilities.
Support the achievement of at least one of the targets or goals identified in these key City strategies*:
*Additional City strategies, plans and initiatives that may contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and/or improvement of Toronto’s resilience include: Biodiversity Strategy; City Asset Management; City Wide Real Estate Transformation; Electric Vehicle Strategy; Green Roof Bylaw; Long-term Waste Management Strategy; Net Zero Existing Buildings Strategy, Parkland Strategy; Pollinator Protection Strategy; Ravine Strategy; Strategic Forest Management Plan; Toronto Green Standard; and Wet Weather Flow Master Plan.
All eligible applications will be reviewed by a jury panel.
Apply to the Women4ClimateTO Mentorship Program by completing an online application form on the C40 website.
Applications for the Women4ClimateTO Mentorship Program have now closed.
Download the application guidelines
Applying to the Women4Climate Toronto Mentorship Program Competition (the “Competition”) constitutes your acceptance of these Competition Rules:
W4CTO_Official-Competition-Rules
Tuesday December 6, 2022: Deadline to submit completed online application form. Applications must be submitted online. Please contact Jessica Chow at Jessica.Chow@toronto.ca for accessibility accommodations. No mail, emailed, or hand-delivered applications will be accepted unless arranged in advance. Only complete applications will be considered.
December 9 – December 19, 2022: Applications will be reviewed and screened.
January 7 – 12, 2023: Interviews of shortlisted candidates.
January 13, 2023: Notification of successful candidates.
January 17, 2023: Virtual orientation meeting for the successful mentees.
January 26, 2023: Official activities of the Toronto Mentorship Program begin.
2023 Women4ClimateTO Schedule of Events
Date 2023 | Activity |
---|---|
Jan 17 | Mentee Orientation |
Jan 19 | Mentor Orientation |
Jan 26 | Networking Session 1: Mentor Mentee Meet & Greet |
Feb 9 | Knowledge Lab: Climate Primer |
Feb 13 – 17 | 1st Meeting: Climate Mentor |
Feb 21 – Mar 21 | 2nd Meeting: Climate Mentor |
Mar 29 (tentative) | Networking session 2 |
Apr 4 | Knowledge Lab: Business & Financial Planning |
Apr 6 – 13 | 1st Meeting: Business & Finance Mentor |
Apr 14 – 20 | 2nd Meeting: Business & Finance Mentor |
Apr 21 | Networking Session 3: Earth Day |
May 4 | Knowledge Lab: Marketing & Communications |
May 8 – 12 | 1st Meeting: Marketing & Communications Mentor |
May 15 – 23 | 2nd Meeting: Marketing & Communications Mentor |
May 25 | Knowledge Lab: Pitch Preparation |
Jun 17 – 25 | Pitch Competition – one date to be selected |
Jun 29 | Winner’s Celebration |
Learn more about these emerging climate leaders and their innovative projects.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Carbon Conversations TO |
Splash on Earth |
Pahk Solutions |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Seedy Farm |
Earth Analytics |
Toronto Home Retrofits |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Oceanic Impact |
Al-enabled Urban Insect Farms |
The Wasteland Plan Foundation |
![]() |
![]() |
|
#WhereDoesYourRainGo Poster/Essay Contest |
Building Residents Capacity for Textile Waste Reduction |
Women4ClimateTO mentors are professionals from the public and private sector with expertise in a variety of different fields including climate action, business, finance, marketing and communications. Learn more about these dedicated professionals here.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Mary Cochrane Associate Director, Demand Generation EY Canada |
Sunali Swaminathan Senior Brand and Marketing Manager, Evergreen |
Selina Young Indigenous Affairs Office, City of Toronto |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Ohemaa Boateng Executive Director, Black Creek Community Farm |
Giselle De Grandis Manager, Business Development and Market Strategy, Hydro One |
Amber Nasrulla Communications Advisor, Strategic Communications, City of Toronto |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Shatha Qaqish-Clavering Director, Strategy and Operations, Climate Positive Energy Initiatives, University of Toronto |
Nancy Ruscica Manager, Outreach and Engagement, Environment and Climate, City of Toronto |
Susana Vaz Manager, Business Growth Services, Economic Development and Culture, City of Toronto |
Learn about our 2022 Women4Climate Toronto mentees and their projects below:
Zamani Ra
Deborah King
Carolyn Moss
Adekemi Oke
Simona Sund
Learn about our 2021 Women4Climate Toronto mentees and their projects below:
Hilary Scanlon
Project: STIL Solutions, Sustainability through an Inclusive Lens
Marie Sophie Angoh
Project: Improving Waste Diversion Rates at Toronto’s Events
Ann Chen
Project: Fill Up!
Jessica Hui
Project: Westra Project
Jane Ji
Project: League for Green Leaders
Anum Khan
Project: Hydro Intelligence
Kristine Lorzano
Project: TO Refillery Mobile
Erika Reyes
Project: Inwit
Anelia Victor
Project: ANEW
Rachel Wang
Project: The Bike Brigade
Melanie Williams
Project: Linked
Corals Zheng
Project: Bee Open Spaces