Who We Are – Our Story

Join us in this transformative journey towards self-discovery and empowerment!

Mission:
We inspire and support women to lead.
Vision
We envision a future where women are empowered to lead with compassion, courage, and authenticity.
Values
Support, inspire, educate, and empower women
Inclusive, creative, and accessible
Promote and practice empathetic and authentic leadership

At The Jean Collective, we believe in the power of women to lead, thrive, and create lasting change in their communities. Since our launch in 2020, we’ve evolved into a dynamic organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering women and gender-diverse individuals to step into leadership roles—whether in the workplace, community initiatives, or public office.

National Recognition 🇨🇦 The work of The Jean Collective, was referenced in the House of Commons of Canada during a debate about mentoring the next generation of leaders. 

Helen Cole, Founder & CEO, The Jean Collective | Community Builder | Advocate for Women in Leadership
Helen is a visionary leader with more than 40 years of experience spanning municipal government, non-profit management, business development, and community leadership. She is the Founder and CEO of The Jean Collective, a social enterprise created in 2019 to inspire, empower, and connect women to leadership opportunities in politics, business, and community life.Under her leadership, The Jean Collective has launched transformative initiatives including:

• Women’s Leadership Conferences across Lambton, Middlesex, and Elgin Counties, welcoming hundreds of women to connect, empower and lead.
• Campaign School, an eight-week program equipping women to run for public office.
• Young Women of Excellence (YWOE), fostering leadership among women 19+ in London and soon across Southwestern Ontario.
• Healthy Democracy: The People’s Table, engaging citizens in meaningful conversations about democracy and civic responsibility. Currently in Lambton County but soon across Middlesex and Elgin.
• Run Where You Are, a provincial collaboration Of organizations supporting women entering municipal and school board politics.

Helen is a seasoned community leader with experience spanning municipal government, nonprofit leadership, and regional development. She began her public service career as a Clerk-Treasurer and later served as an elected Councillor for the City of St. Thomas, chairing committees in community services, planning, public works, and economic development. She has since held senior leadership roles with the Elgin Training Council, Avon Canada, and the Canadian Cancer Society in Sarnia-Lambton, where she raised more than $1 million annually and helped build one of the region’s largest volunteer networks.
She has contributed to numerous boards and organizations across Southwestern Ontario and has been recognized multiple times by the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce for her leadership and community impact.
Known for bringing people together and turning ideas into action, Helen leads with a belief that leadership is service — creating space for others to rise, lead, and thrive.

Our first major initiative in 2023, the Middlesex Women’s Leadership Conference, brought together over 100 women to build a powerful network of support and mentorship. In 2024, we expanded to host conferences in Elgin and Lambton Counties, alongside continuing the Middlesex Conference, collectively inspiring and motivating hundreds of women through conferences and virtual activities.

At The Jean Collective, leadership is more than a role; it’s a reflection of the diversity and richness of our communities. Our mission is rooted in equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring all voices have the opportunity to lead and drive meaningful change.

How The Jean Collective has Evolved
Our first major initiative in 2023, the Middlesex Women’s Leadership Conference, brought together over 100 women to build a powerful network of support and mentorship. In 2024, we expanded to host conferences in Elgin and Lambton Counties, alongside continuing the Middlesex Conference, collectively inspiring and motivating hundreds of women through conferences and virtual activities.
At The Jean Collective, leadership is more than a role; it’s a reflection of the diversity and richness of our communities. Our mission is rooted in equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring all voices have the opportunity to lead and drive 

Our work:
Women’s Leadership Conferences: Through conferences and workshops, we provide role models and help women across various sectors develop their unique strengths and contribute to a more equitable society. 
Advocacy: Focus on public support of women and political issues. We are a proud supporter of ‘The Women of Ontario say No’.
The Jean Collective Campaign School: Aimed at preparing women for public office, this multiweek program provides practical tools, mentorship, and support for those ready to take on leadership roles in politics.
Young Women of Excellence – This is a growing community of purpose-driven young women (ages 19–30) who are ready to lead, connect, and create change — together.
Healthy Democracy: The People’s Table – This new program launched in Fall 2025. Our mission is to strengthen democracy by advancing equity, inclusion, and civic participation through promotion of a healthy information.  

Together, these initiatives create a leadership pipeline that prioritizes diversity and inclusion while building a community of confident and capable leaders.

A Commitment to Community
The Jean Collective operates as a volunteer-led social enterprise, reinvesting all income back into its mission. Through our work and the Jean Macdougall Fund for Women’s Empowerment, we support community initiatives such as the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario’s Young Women of Excellence program and the YWCA in St. Thomas. We are proud members of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce, the St. Thomas Chamber of Commerce and Pillar Non-Profit. Our growth reflects a shared commitment to fostering strong, inclusive leadership in our communities.

Join Us
Join us on this transformative journey toward self-discovery and empowerment. Together, we can break barriers, build connections, and create a future where all women lead with confidence.

Our Goal
•    To encourage, educate & prepare all women for a leadership role
•    To create a better informed and educated electorate
•    To advocate for change
•    To create parity in politics with a focus on municipal government within Southwestern Ontario

Our Commitment
The Jean Collective is committed to non-discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, language, race, age, ability, sex, sexual orientation, income, political or religious affiliation in all aspects and at all levels of the Collective. We define women to include LGBTQ2SIA+, and the LBGTQ community. We are committed to ensuring that our mission and operations embrace the diversity of all. We will make every effort to see that our structure, policies, and systems promote equal access to all.

Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we are on indigenous land. We recognize and respect the traditional territories of the Ojibwa, Potawatomi, Odawa people, who have been stewards of this land for generations. We honour their enduring connection to this place and express our gratitude for the opportunity to live, work and learn on their traditional territory.