Welcome to The Jean Collective!
I'm a passionate advocate for women's leadership and empowerment with a 35-year career in local government and the non-profit sector across Chatham Kent, St. Thomas Elgin, and Sarnia Lambton.
Starting as a municipal clerk and progressing to an elected councillor and then a local charity manager, I've refined my leadership skills and made significant community contributions. I've received the Outstanding Business Achievement Award from the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce twice.
Inspired by my mentor, Jean Macdougall, I founded The Jean Collective, a Women in Politics Initiative, which focuses on empowering women in leadership roles, especially in municipal politics. Our work is inclusive, supporting all women, including those in the LGBTQ2SIA+ community.
In 2023, we hosted a Women's Leadership Conference and launched "Women Who Lead," a 10-session series. Our "Campaign School," starting in fall 2024, aims to prepare women for elected office.
Committed to non-discrimination, we ensure all women can lead with confidence. As proud members of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce and Pillar Non Profit, we invite you to join us in promoting inclusive leadership.
Let's embark on this transformative journey together!
Warmly,
Helen Cole, Founder of The Jean Collective and Women Who Lead
Please email us if you would like to know more about their programs and services.
The next generation of girls and young women will benefit from having diverse role models and mentors.
We choose to support the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario, most specifically their Young Women of Excellence Program.
A percentage of profits from all conferences will be donated to the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario.
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.
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.
