New research from Monday Girl, a leading digital networking platform, in partnership with Environics Research, highlights a persistent networking gap for Canadian women professionals.
The 2025 Canadian Women’s Mentorship and Networking Report finds that 67% of women find traditional networking events awkward and ineffective, while 60% believe these events fail to build strong industry connections.
Despite networking being crucial for career advancement—86% of women consider it important, and 79% say it plays a key role in securing a new job—68% feel there are not enough networking opportunities designed specifically for women.
The report also underscores concerns about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. 51% of women worry that companies scaling back DEI efforts could hinder their career growth, while 83% stress the need for more women-focused networking opportunities. Nearly half (47%) are actively seeking safe workplace spaces where they can find support.
Mentorship is widely seen as critical—85% of professional women believe it is vital for career progression—yet only 15% currently have a mentor, and just 19% are actively searching for one. This lack of access to mentorship opportunities could further limit career advancement and leadership representation for women.
To address these gaps, Monday Girl is hosting its annual Toronto Summit on March 29, 2025, at the Fairmont Royal York. The sold-out event will welcome over 400 women for a day of fireside chats, keynotes, and networking socials.
Speakers include Teresa Resch (Canada’s WNBA President), Laurie May (Co-Founder, Elevation Pictures), Ashley Graf (International Marketing Director, Squarespace), and Sevaun Palvetzian (President and CEO, UNICEF).
“As the data shows, too many women struggle to find meaningful industry connections,” said Monday Girl co-founders Rachel Wong and Istiana Bestari. “That’s why we created Monday Girl and the Summit—to foster authentic connections and career-changing opportunities.”