TORONTO and CHICAGO, Sept. 12, 2018 /CNW/ - BMO Financial Group today announced its participation in the International Day of the Girl initiative led by Plan International, as part of BMO's ongoing commitment to fostering female leaders of tomorrow.

Starting tomorrow and leading up to the International Day of the Girl on October 11, BMO executives, including BMO CEO Darryl White, will mentor young women for a day. Participating executives are matched with a girl ambassador from Plan International, between the ages of 14-24 years.

Coming out of their day with BMO's leadership, the girl ambassadors will have hands-on experience contributing to business discussions, participating in meetings and interacting with stakeholders.

"This generation of young women is the future of our economy. It's important to empower them to be ambitious and give them opportunities to experience what it's like to run a business," said Joanna Rotenberg, Group Head, BMO Wealth Management. "I'm proud to join my colleagues - men and women business leaders - by temporarily stepping down to have an inspiring young women 'take over' our roles for the day across North America. We encourage other leaders across all industries to give young women a voice and do the same."

"Girls are inherently powerful, but what's become normal in many societies is that they're often denied the opportunity to be heard and pursue their dreams," says Caroline Riseboro, President and CEO of Plan International Canada. "It's incredibly important for young women to see themselves reflected in leadership positions so they know it's possible to realize their full potential. We couldn't be more thrilled to partner with BMO Financial Group and so many of its leaders who are committed to advancing equality for girls here in Canada and around the world."

To learn more about BMO's International Day of the Girl activities please contact BMO Media Relations for the list of executives and schedules.  

About BMO Financial Group
Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a highly diversified financial services provider - the 8th largest bank, by assets, in North America. With total assets of $765 billion as of July 31, 2018, and a team of diverse and highly engaged employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, BMO Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

About Plan International and the Because I am a Girl initiative
Founded in 1937, Plan International is one of the world's oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan International strives for a just world that advances children's rights and equality for girls. Because I am a Girl is Plan International's global movement to transform power relations so that girls everywhere can learn, lead, decide and thrive. Visit plancanada.ca to learn more.

About International Day of the Girl
In 2009, Plan International Canada led an extensive two-year campaign that engaged thousands of Canadians in a call for an International Day of the Girl as part of Because I am a Girl, a global initiative to end gender inequality and recognize girls' rights as human rights. In December 2011, with unanimous all-party support, the Canadian government led the United Nations to officially declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl.

SOURCE BMO Financial Group

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