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Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Announcing the 2025 BMO Celebrating Women Grant Winners

On November 5, 2025, BMO, in collaboration with Deloitte, unveiled the recipients of its 2025 BMO Celebrating Women grant program. This initiative aims to uplift small business owners, particularly women, who are driving economic growth in their communities. With a total of $150,000 in grants distributed among 15 awardees, BMO is committed to fostering financial progress and entrepreneurial spirit across the United States.

The Grant Program

The BMO Celebrating Women grant program is designed to empower women-led businesses by providing not only financial assistance but also a comprehensive suite of resources. Each awarded business has received a grant of $10,000, which will be instrumental in supporting product launches, market expansion, and job creation. Carolyn Booth, the Head of U.S. Personal & Business Banking at BMO, emphasized the importance of nurturing small businesses as foundational pillars of strong communities. "Entrepreneurs like these grant recipients are the backbone of that growth engine," she stated.

Highlights from the Recipients

The 2025 recipients of the BMO Celebrating Women grant program represent diverse industries, reflecting the rich tapestry of innovation and resilience within the small business community. Some notable recipients include:

• - Talia Boone, Postal Petals, Inc. (California)
• - Xochitl Carmona, Werk Mija LLC (Illinois)
• - Eleanor Cheetham, Fort Greene Bar (Colorado)
• - Melanie Flores, Propel Consulting LLC (Illinois)
• - Patricia Martinez, The Mind Body Consulting Center, PLLC (Arizona)

These business owners are reshaping their respective sectors while making a conscious effort to promote women empowerment and support in their communities.

Additional Support for Grant Recipients

Beyond the financial grants, recipients are provided with a tailored advisory package aimed at ensuring their success in the long term. This includes coaching from BMO business advisors, opportunities for profiling on BMO's dedicated Women’s initiative webpage, and access to a plethora of workshops and events hosted by BMO. Additionally, they receive a digital membership to Luminary, a professional education and networking platform that offers over 2,000 hours of content and events designed to foster growth and learning.

Kathy Scherer, Vice Chair and Chicago Managing Partner at Deloitte, praised the initiative, stating, "This program empowers small businesses to create lasting impact for their communities, and I am truly inspired by the exceptional caliber of businesses recognized this year."

BMO's Broader Commitment

BMO’s dedication to small businesses goes beyond the granting process. The financial institution is engaged in various initiatives over multiple years aimed at broadening access to credit and mentorship. Their partnerships with organizations like WMNfintech—alongside mentoring programs—are developed to connect entrepreneurs with vital resources and expertise to help them achieve their business aspirations.

BMO Financial Group stands as one of the largest banks in North America, emphasizing their commitment not just to financial success, but also to making meaningful changes in society and fostering inclusive growth. Through these grants, they continue to showcase their long-standing dedication to uplifting communities across the United States.

As we celebrate the achievements and future plans of the 2025 BMO grant recipients, we are reminded of the critical role that women entrepreneurs play in building resilient, dynamic economies. This grant program not only assists in achieving immediate financial goals but also lays the groundwork for sustained growth and impact in the years to come.

For more information about the BMO Celebrating Women grant program and its impact, visit BMO’s official website and explore how these initiatives are paving the way for the next generation of women entrepreneurs.