b'CREATIVE COLLABORATIONSA HISTORY OF CONNECTIONBy Matthew BradfordO v e r t h e y e a r s , C C A B e v e n t s h a v e s p a r k e d n e w c o n n e c t i o n s t h a t h a v e p r o v e n i n v a l u a b l e f o r b u s i n e s s p r o f e s s i o n a l s a n d b u d d i n g e n t r e p r e n e u r sT hroughout its 40-year history,discussing how to make a differencewould lead to Cenovus Energy making Canadian Council for Aboriginalin the lives of Indigenous women. Thea substantial monetary contribution to Business (CCAB) has organizedbudding friendship, and that discussion,a bursary for women business owners a series of important business events across the countryfrom business forums to networking events and award galas. These events have often proven a cata-lyst for enduring friendships, creative collaborations, and rewarding profes-sionalpartnerships. Aboriginal Business Report asked a number of attendees at recent CCAB events to share their stories of connection. Read on to learn what they had to say.CIRCLE OFEMPOWERMENT:Shannon Pestun & Andrea LouiseIt was a dinner at one of CCABs Indigenous Women in Leadership Forums (IWIL) that sparked a fortu-itous friendship between Shannon Pestun and Andrea Louise. Pestun, the CEO of Pestun Consulting, and Louise, senior advisor, Indigenous Inclusion at Cenovus Energy, first met at the IWIL welcoming reception. The pairAndrea Louise (second from left) and Shannon Pestun (far right) at a fundraising event for the Gifting Circle found themselves sharing a table andBursary. Other participants pictured, from left: Dr. Elizabeth Evans, Jessica Yarnell and Alexis Berezan50A CCAB PUBLICATIONSpring 2024'