The Richard Ivey School of Business today launched “ReConnect: Career renewal for returning professional women”. Sponsored by CIBC, ReConnect is the first executive development program in Canada specifically designed to help women step back into their careers with confidence.

ReConnect is a seven-day immersion program that will renew critical business knowledge, provide leadership skills, and serve as an important stepping stone for professional women looking to return to the workforce. The course will be taught by Ivey faculty with ongoing participation from CIBC’s senior leaders.

As the program’s Founding Sponsor, CIBC is providing $1 million over five years to fund program development, underwrite program costs for participants and provide financial assistance to ensure access to the program for women with financial need.

“We’re delighted to partner with CIBC to successfully reconnect women with their chosen careers,” says Carol Stephenson, Dean, Richard Ivey School of Business, The University of Western Ontario. “This program reinforces Ivey’s commitment to women in business. Inspiring women to reconnect with their chosen career path — or to explore a new professional path — positions them to support Canada’s long-term economic growth. Reaching out to successful, yet overlooked, groups is crucial as Canadian companies struggle with an increasing talent gap.”

“Canadian businesses benefit from having a strong complement of talented women in their ranks,” said Jacqueline Moss, executive vp, human resources, CIBC. “ReConnect will provide a source of talented professional women for employers looking to reinforce their management teams with highly skilled leaders.”

According to a recent study by the Center for Work-Life Policy and the Harvard Business Review, more than one third of highly qualified women take a leave from their careers for a period of time. Of those women, 93% want to return to work, but only 74% succeed in doing so, and only 40% return to work full time.

ReConnect’s inaugural program will take place at the Richard Ivey School of Business in London, Ont. starting October 27, followed by an intensive two-day extension and graduation in Toronto on November 24 and 25. It is expected that participants in the program will have a post-secondary degree, between five to 10 years of management experience and have been out of the workforce for more than two years.

ReConnect is similar to successful programs at Harvard Business School, Tuck Business School at Dartmouth and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

For more information and to apply online, visit www.reconnectyourcareer.ca.