Tell Us Your Story. What motivated you to start your business? Why are you passionate about what you do?

Our founder, Leah Chang, saw a gap to fill. Cause-driven organizations needed help shifting to online learning and training. And they needed an experienced consultant, familiar with the unique needs of non profit organizations, to make sense of an otherwise scary, overly technical and potentially costly sea of options. Leah Chang Learning, now known as LCL Group, was started to provide cause-driven organizations with much needed dual support: design effective online learning AND guide organizations to set up an use with the technology to deliver online learning to their users. LCL quickly filled a need for BC organizations and since incorporating in 2019, has gone on to become a leader in the design and development of accessible online learning, with a focus on supportive employment, practice support programs and professional skills development. We’ve become known for helping non-profits deliver online learning in a way that’s friendly, practical, understandable, and approachable. We are passionate about practical ed tech. We like project management. We love learning science. And we love doing this through a consultancy that allows us to work flexibility as a team (100% remote) and with our clients (many of whom are also remote, spread across BC, across Canada, and in the USA). We may not be a brick and mortar shop like a donut shop where you can taste what we build and see for yourself the direct impact of our business, but we are very much working hard behind the scenes! LCL is making a difference for employees across BC in terms of the quality of performance training and development they receive, for professionals as they gather continuing education credits, and for non profit teams as they gain confidence in using technology to support their goals. We are proud of our continued success in lowering barriers for cause-driven organizations.

Describe and demonstrate, including metrics, your community support. How do you support and uplift your community, and how do they show that support in return? Minimum 25 words, maximum 2500 characters.

At LCL we have the privilege of choosing our clients, and working with projects that will positively impact and change our communities. Here are a few ways that we support and uplift our community: -We offer a free speaking event at least 1 x quarter -We volunteer on boards and provide professional consultation (beyond LCL work) to community partners -We offer a sliding scale to non profit organizations, and ensure high quality work is in reach of any and all clients who seek our services -We sublicense software to non profit clients at cost (i.e. with no profit to ourselves) to enable them to deliver online learning -We aim to provide pro bono or in-kind work to 90% of our non profit clients on at least 1 project over a 2-year period -We give back to our industry and support newcomers to the profession: We volunteer our time as coaches, mentors, advisors to others transitioning into our career/industry of instructional design, networking and supporting those who seek input or advice from us, offering free speaking events/presentations to community events (e.g. The Training, Learning & Development Community, Accessibility and Inclusive Design Conference 2024, 2023, TechSoup Tech 4 Good Vancouver and BC Chapters - multiple events) How does the community show us support? -by sharing feedback and stories of their positive experiences with us -by referring us to their partners and network: We rely almost solely on word of mouth and the continued trust of our clients and their extended network for our business -by inviting us to partner with them, request our support in advocating, lobbying, and amplifying their messages and missions -recognition: nominated for the Untapped Workplace Inclusion -by making us a preferred vendor, by hiring us for ongoing projects, for requesting our services and expertise as their advisor on meaningful projects that make a direct impact on our community.

Why do you deserve to win the Business Impact award?

Leah Chang Learning (LCL) is a women-led digital consulting agency creating engaging learning experiences for cause-driven nonprofits, government organisations, and businesses. We are proud to support BC’s small business communities.

Tell Us About Your Culture. How are you creating a sustainable and healthy workplace where everyone feels welcome? Provide examples of leadership you show in interactions with clients, vendors, contractors, staff and others.

At LCL, we strive to create a healthy and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome. Here are a few examples: With clients, we offer a sliding scale, raise opportunities to increase accessibility of online courses and, identify funding and grant opportunities to support their educational operations. We are conscious to build lasting relationships and support organizations over time, increasing opportunities for efficiency, growth, and enablement. With vendors and suppliers, we choose local vendors aligned with our commitment to allyship, partnership and accessibility. We select partners who are experienced at collaborating and involving people with disability and people with living experience the communities our clients and projects serve. We also ensure fair compensation for projects, working groups. With our internal team of employees and consultants, we are dedicated to inclusive hiring practices and creating a supportive work environment. We actively participate in pledges that measure diversity and inclusion metrics, ensuring that our efforts are effective and meaningful. Professional development is a cornerstone of our company culture. We provide opportunities for both consultants and employees to grow their skills and advance their careers. Our benefits package includes coaching opportunities, ensuring that our team members have the support they need to succeed. Our team-building initiatives foster a sense of belonging and collaboration among all employees, including those with diverse abilities. We encourage cross-cultural collaboration by including multiple cultural voices in our projects, working in both French and English. LCL is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Our work focuses on disability inclusion, both internally and externally. We stay on top of best practices and continuously improve our business accessibility by ensuring our documents, social media, and websites are inclusive.

Why do you think you should win the Premier’s People’s Choice Award?

Leah Chang Learning (LCL) is a women-led digital consulting agency creating engaging learning experiences for cause-driven nonprofits, government organizations, and businesses. We are proud to support BC’s small business communities. Community Impact LCL understands the vital role small businesses play in our communities. Our operations consistently make a positive impact, showcasing the potential of business as a force for good. We collaborate with non-profits to develop accessible learning solutions that benefit marginalized communities. By hiring individuals with disabilities as SMEs, we ensure their perspectives and experiences are integral to our projects. Our commitment to the community shines through in our work with not-for-profit organizations and accessibility-focused initiatives. We actively partner with marginalized and underserved communities, helping organizations secure the necessary funds and grants for their learning projects. Each year, we contribute to community organizations, volunteer and mentor through the YMCA, and participate in speaking engagements to champion accessibility. Many of our mentorships lead to ongoing volunteer opportunities, shadowing experiences, and even employment with LCL. Additionally, we prioritize hiring local vendors, further strengthening our support for the community’s economic growth. Our collaborations with partners like The Inclusion Workplace (TIW), Accessible Employers (AE), and the Canucks Autism Network (CAN) exemplify our dedication to social impact. LCL's influence extends beyond our organization into the broader community, where we actively advise other organizations on accessible learning technologies, helping them adopt inclusive practices. Our commitment to accessibility includes advocating for and compensating SMEs with lived experience for their contributions, ensuring their insights are valued and rewarded. The impact of our work is reflected in the positive feedback we receive from our clients and the broader community. Testimonials from partners like Accessible Employers and The Inclusion Workplace underscore the positive impact of our initiatives. For example, Yat Li, a Senior Accessibility Consultant at Presidents Group, stated, "Their team takes a personalized approach to accessible design. From conceptualization to inception, they were determined to create inclusive and accessible content for learners while ensuring every touchpoint delivers an exceptional user experience.”