In recognition and celebration of Black History Month, Accelerate Auto was pleased to be the lead sponsor of the highly anticipated February installment of Empire Nights last evening.Established in 1903, the Empire Club’s mission is to facilitate meaningful connections and productive dialogue on diverse topics that impact Canadians and the world. Accelerate Auto is a not-for-profit dedicated to increasing representation of Black talent across Canada’s automotive industry through collaboration, networking and mentorship.
Consisting of the first all-Black panel in the Empire Club of Canada’s 122-year history, the theme of last night’s in-person discussion was: Leaders in the Auto and Tech Mobility Sector — How a diverse workforce can increase innovation.
Hosted at the historic Storys Building in Downtown Toronto, the panel consisted of established experts and thought leaders from a variety of specialties within the automotive industry. The panel was moderated by local TV journalist and She Auto Know Founder, Stephanie Henry.
The distinguished speakers included:
Yolanda Biswah – President, Canadian Black Book
Jerome Chinner – SVP, Dealer Development and Support, SCI Lease Corp.
Shreena Robinson – Director of Human Resources, Porsche Cars of Canada
“We couldn’t be prouder to work with Accelerate Auto on such an insightful evening event at the Empire Club of Canada that truly highlights the power of diversity in driving innovation within the tech and auto sector,” says Kent Emerson, CEO, Empire Club of Canada. “This is not just an event — it is truly leading the change. The Empire Club is deeply proud to continue championing these crucial conversations and supporting initiatives that increase representation and open doors for Black talent in Canada’s automotive industry.”
The shift to electrification, digitalization and connectivity within the automotive industry presents many challenges but will also provide opportunities. There is a growing need for skilled workers in tech, engineering, data privacy, R&D, AI, robotics, digital marketing, legal, and more. Acquisition, development and retention of top talent will be of even greater importance across all sectors.
The Empire Nights event delved into how diversity drives progress in Canada’s auto and tech industries, which are not only vital to our economy but also provide over 1 in 8 jobs across the country. The vibrant evening provided an inspiring atmosphere to educate and connect the next generation of diverse talent and leaders in Canada’s auto and tech mobility sectors. You can listen to the podcast from the event here.
“This momentous event caps off an exciting, action-packed Black History Month for us,” says Shannon Miller, Executive Director, Accelerate Auto. “The evening was filled with candid, productive discussions and fruitful networking opportunities that collectively will help drive both our message and our mission forward.”
Speaker Panel Bios:
Yolanda Biswah – President, Canadian Black Book
In her role as President of Canadian Black Book, Yolanda leads one of Canada’s most trusted automotive brands. With a wide and diverse customer base, Canadian Black Book serves the automotive industry, including automotive manufacturers, captive finance companies, lenders and financial institutions, dealers, local and provincial governments, software providers, marketing companies, and more. Yolanda was named one of ten “Notable Champions of Diversity” by Automotive News Canada in 2022. As a volunteer of Accelerate Auto committees, she works to advance career opportunities for Black talent within the Canadian automotive industry.
Jerome Chinner – SVP, Dealer Development and Support, SCI Lease Corp.
Jerome’s career spans multiple industries and organizations, where he has had the privilege to lead, build and grow high-performing teams and cultures. He has worked in finance, business reporting, internal control, and technical consulting, as well as sales and account management. His true passion is leadership, working in a team environment, and building strong relationships with colleagues and customers. He is a founding member of Accelerate Auto and currently handles Corporate Partnerships.
Shreena Robinson – Director of Human Resources, Porsche Cars of Canada
Shereena is a forward-thinking and results-driven HR professional. With a deep knowledge of law and compliance, she leads a team that drives strategic direction in areas such as employee relations, recruitment, training, compensation, diversity, and inclusion. Throughout her 20 years of leadership experience in the automotive sector, Shereena has demonstrated a proven ability to manage HR functions across various levels of the organization while cultivating environments where employees thrive. She played a pivotal role in helping Porsche Cars Canada achieve Canada’s prestigious “Great Place to Work” Certification in 2022 and 2023.
