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43 GEORGIANVIEW 2017 FUND50: SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURIAL EXCELLENCE WOMEN'S INTUITION: EMPOWERING WOMEN Local entrepreneur Chris Adams wanted to do something to celebrate Georgian's golden anniversary in a meaningful way. He came up with the idea FUND50 to help entrepreneurs like himself. He developed the campaign in partnership with Jessica Larche. Together, they are asking 50 entrepreneurial business professionals to donate $50 per month for 50 months, for a total commitment of $2,500. The funds will be used to build an environment that supports start-ups with networking events, pitch competitions, awards, seed funds and social events. "We want to fund bright entrepreneurial minds, both students and community- based start-ups," he says. Chris is a mentor at the Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre (HBEC) at Georgian's Barrie Campus. He shares lessons learned from starting his own businesses, which include gShift, a world- class marketing software platform, and previous start-ups Hot Banana Software and cgk Technologies. HBEC helps entrepreneurs in any stage of development, and in any sector, to start and grow their business. Staff and mentors serve almost 300 clients a year. To support FUND50, go to fund50.com and click the donate now button. Education champion and Georgian volunteer Giselle Bodkin continues her quest to support young women attending college. She launched WOMEN'S inTUITION in 2015, asking women to empower women by giving to a scholarship fund to assist female students in financial need. Giselle's late sister-in-law, who studied Nursing part-time at Georgian, was the inspiration behind her donation. To date, more than $450,000 has been raised and 38 students have received scholarships. The need for scholarships is great. Of the 24 public colleges in Ontario, Georgian ranks fourth when it comes to the percentage of students who access financial assistance through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). You can become a WOMEN'S inTUITION donor with a donation of $50 a month for five years, for a total commitment of $3,000. Go to GeorgianCollege.ca/womensintuition to donate online or call 705.728.1968, ext. 1210. At the inaugural WOMEN'S inTUITION award ceremony, Giselle Bodkin (left) presents a scholarship to student Xiukui Wu. FUND50 co-chair Chris Adams POWER OF EDUCATION