Chief Executive Officer and founder of Grow Women Leaders (GWL), Tracy Folorunsho-Barry, has emphasised the need for immigrant women to find stability in their workplaces.
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Speaking on the challenges immigrants face she highlighted the difficulties of securing employment despite having advanced degrees. She explained that being an immigrant in Canada and trying to enter the workforce is a real issue, adding that many people move abroad for a better future, bringing significant education and experience as opportunities don’t come easy.
Folorunsho-Barry, an employment strategist, noted that immigrant women face multiple barriers, including gender, race, and family responsibilities, which hinder economic empowerment. Owing to this, she created GWL, a platform dedicated to supporting skilled immigrant women through job matching, training, and career retention programmes. She noted her desire to upscale globally, thus the reason for bringing the service to Nigeria.
According to her, since its inception nearly nine years ago, Grow Women Leaders has helped thousands of women secure employment and advance their careers. Initially launched as Project 150 in 2016-2017, the initiative highlighted successful immigrant women under Canada 150 celebrations.
“We wanted to showcase women who overcame challenges to become business owners, managers, and CEOs. Our goal is to increase women’s workforce participation by not only helping them get hired but ensuring they stay and grow in their careers,” she said.
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She explained that the organisation’s strategy includes training, mentorship, and employer partnerships to create a diverse and inclusive workforce. Folorunsho-Barry also noted that employer retention strategies are crucial, as simply hiring women is not enough.
“While Grow Women Leaders originally focus on Canada, the initiative is now expanding to Nigeria to address similar employment struggles.
“In Nigeria, many women graduate but remain uncertain about their career paths. Through our SEED principle—Support, Encourage, Empower, and Develop—we aim to equip them with the tools they need to succeed,” Folorunsho-Barry said.
She stated that her organisation has since trained and supported over 6,000 women, with 75-85 percent securing jobs post-training. The goal is to push the success rate to 90 percent or higher through continued partnerships and employer engagement.
Folorunsho-Barry acknowledged that factors such as language barriers, family responsibilities, and societal biases often work against women. Employers may hesitate to hire women due to perceived burdens, but she emphasised that proper support systems—such as mentorship, child care, and workplace accommodations—can change this perception.
“In Canada, Grow Women Leaders operates a space where women can train, work remotely, and receive child-minding services, ensuring they remain productive while balancing family life,” she added.
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