At Windmill, we are proud to work with high-impact corporate partners like Manulife, which has generously contributed towards our loan capital and career services since 2021, dedicated to helping skilled immigrants rebuild their careers in finance and healthcare. Their support has been instrumental in driving inclusive economic opportunity in Canada.
The results of this commitment to creating opportunities for newcomers are exemplified by inspiring stories like Ade’s.
Former Windmill client Ade is now a Senior Financial Analyst at Manulife Bank. We made his acquaintance years ago, when he arrived in Canada with extensive experience in accounting but no Canadian accreditation. Through a Windmill loan, Ade was able to pursue his CPA designation in Canada, unlocking doors to career opportunities. Since then, he has joined the Windmill mentorship program, sharing his insight into the Canadian business context to help other new arrivals on a similar path.
We were delighted to reconnect with Ade this summer during our all-staff gathering, which took place at the Manulife headquarters in Toronto. As a special guest, he shared his immigration and career story with Windmill staff members in a session hosted by Windmill CEO Claudia Hepburn. His words offered a powerful reminder of how our partnership with Manulife has been instrumental in making stories like Ade’s possible.
"I came to Canada with dreams and aspirations, but also with the reality that I needed support to achieve them," Ade recalls. "Windmill played a critical role in helping me to re-establish my career in a new country.”
Manulife’s dedication to fostering inclusive economic opportunities aligns perfectly with Windmill’s mission to reduce the barriers newcomers face in achieving their potential. Not only has Manulife contributed generously, enabling our core offerings, but its employees have donated their personal time and expertise—as well as emotional support and encouragement—towards helping others through our mentorship program, which we greatly appreciate.
Together, we’re committed to helping even more skilled immigrants bridge the gap between their international experience and Canadian accreditation requirements, creating pathways for skilled newcomers to transform their lives and build a brighter future in Canada.
In addition to sharing his personal experiences, Ade emphasized the importance of giving back to the community, highlighting his role as a current mentor for Windmill. As Ade says, "Every step of the journey has been worth it. The support from Windmill Microlending has been instrumental in my success, and I hope my story can inspire other newcomers to pursue their aspirations with confidence."
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Feature photo: Ade in conversation with Claudia Hepburn at all-staff gathering.
