Wendy Cukier is a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy, and Founder of the Diversity Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University. Wendy is one of Canada's leading experts in disruptive technologies, innovation processes, and diversity and inclusion. She has published +200 articles on various aspects of diversity, inclusion and innovation.

Under Wendy's leadership, the Diversity Institute has grown to include +100 research staff. Projects include DiversityLeads, which tracks the representation of women in leadership roles, alongside other projects focused on women in technology. Other innovative projects include the Advanced Digital and Professional Training program (ADaPT), the Women Entrepreneurship Hub, and the Newcomer Entrepreneurship Hub. Wendy also leads the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub and a program of research for the Future Skills Centre as well as the new Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship Network (IIE-Net).

Wendy has received many awards for her work advancing diversity and inclusion, including the Meritorious Service Cross, one of Canada's highest civilian honours. She has also been recognized with the Harry Jerome Diversity Award. Most recently,Wendy was honoured with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, Community Builder Award and named one of the International Women's Forum 2020 Women Who Make a Difference.

BD Funded Projects

• Building capacity in SMEs to hire immigrants (TRS2 1.6)
• Entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic inclusion (TRS2 1.7)
• Leveraging ADT in skills training, labour market entry, and employer support (TRS2 2.1)
• Digital upskilling and reskilling newcomers: Effective design and implementation of competency-based programs and wraparound supports for newcomers (TRS2 2.2)
• The Impacts of AI and other Automation Technologies on Business and Immigrant Workers in the Post-COVID Era (TRS2 3.1)

Outputs