When she first launched Abeego, Toni Desrosiers was met with skepticism — people couldn’t imagine giving up plastic wrap. She persevered through the challenge of creating a new market, and now the award-winning entrepreneur can boast years of explosive growth, and her reusable beeswax wrap can be found in more than 1,500 stores, 40 countries […]
As a woman constantly travelling for work, Kristi Soomer struggled to find versatile clothing that would allow her to pack less on trips. So she launched Encircled. The clothing line began with just one product — a cardigan that can be worn eight different ways. Now, Kristi’s company offers over 40 different designs, employs more […]
A busy career in finance might not seem ideal for taking on extra-curricular activities, and yet Allison Grafton somehow found the time to manage 15 home builds and renovations while working as an investment banker. The passion that inspired this “hobby” eventually led her to change her path completely, and at the age of 40, […]
The idea of predicting the future might sound like a sci-fi plot but Keren Moynihan, Co-founder and CEO of Boss Insights, is helping private companies predict performance in real-time using AI. She is an advocate for data privacy, creating AI that unites rather than divides society and collaborative approaches to democratizing access to capital. We […]
At a time when the next best option is just a few simple clicks away, building a successful online profile is critical for companies and the entrepreneurs behind them. Jess Hunichen and Emily Ward, co-founders of Shine PR and Shine Influencers, share their proven advice for creating a brand image. By Jess […]
An entrepreneur at heart, Daphne De Groot was driven to create an alternative to Toronto’s outdated real estate model. Today, Daphne is the CEO of Justo — a new type of real estate brokerage. She is responsible for bringing this client-centric real estate brokerage to fruition and providing strategic oversight across the organization. Determined to […]
Do you see the value of charitable giving as a tax receipt? Businesses that give back through community involvement rather than just signing a cheque greatly benefit their charitable partners — and themselves. Here’s how to pick the right one, and make a positive impact. By Monica Gomez Charitable contributions aren’t a […]
After completing an Executive MBA from Smith School of Business, while working full time and making partner at an executive search firm, Catherine Bell knew she had the capacity for a big undertaking. It would take a few more years of experience, but she eventually launched The Awakened Company — a management consulting firm that […]
After completing a BSc at McGill University, Hana James was en route to medical school when she decided to explore another passion: helping people improve their health through food. In 2011, she founded Café Shu, a juice bar and healthy café with two locations in Toronto. Fast forward to today and Hana is now a […]
With a career in fashion that has taken her to Paris and back, Lauryn Vaughn has an impeccable eye for detail and a passion for the transformative impact of premium apparel. She founded The Upside in 2015 after discovering a niche in the country’s e-commerce market for luxury resale fashion minus the prohibitive costs of […]
Bailey Parnell is the Founder & CEO of SkillsCamp — an award-winning digital marketer, TEDx speaker, and businesswoman with a talent for helping people and brands tell better stories. Bailey frequently speaks publicly about social media, personal branding, and media and mental health. She is currently working towards an MA in Communications and Culture, part-time at Ryerson […]
Technology can have an impact on an organization’s success — and these eight entrepreneurs know it. As participants in the Cisco Women Entrepreneurs’ Circle, they’ve been paired with engineering interns with the goal of using technology to better their businesses. They’re sharing the challenges they’re solving with technology this year — could it help your […]
Dr. Sarah Mickeler is the founder of West End Mamas. She is Canada’s leading expert on prenatal and postpartum chiropractic care as well as non-invasive approaches to encourage optimal fetal positioning. In addition to being passionate about normalizing the prenatal and birth experience, she is also deeply passionate about postpartum wellness and normalizing what it […]
Josette is the CEO and founder of Streamline Genomics and visiting scholar at the Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal. Prior to launching Streamline, she was VP, Business Development for Mitacs, a research organization where she helped facilitate partnerships between university researchers and industry. During her graduate studies, Josette co-founded a consulting firm providing bioinformatics […]
Soodeh is the founder and Chief Technology Officer of C2RO Cloud Robotics, an award-winning software startup in Montreal, Canada. C2RO offers real-time cognitive AI solutions via an enterprise SaaS platform for smart devices. She is a visionary technology entrepreneur with a Ph.D. in computer science (cloud specialist), who was selected among the top 750 digital IT innovators […]
Cindy Fagen is chief operating officer for SAP Labs Canada. Her role is focused on growing and executing the strategic vision and mission of SAP’s product development and innovation hubs in four locations in and around Canada’s major cities. Working alongside field organizations in Canada and globally, Cindy connects the technology innovations coming out of […]
Laura Burget and Connie Lo’s vision for NIU BODY, a 100% natural, certified cruelty-free and vegan skincare company, arose out of frustration with the lack of affordable and natural beauty products on the market. The two best friends were eager to utilize their backgrounds in business and engineering to launch NIU BODY in March of […]
Salim Teja’s long career in tech has touched every part of the ecosystem, from entrepreneur, to investor, to corporate innovator. In his current role of President, Venture Services, at MaRS, he’s not only championing Canada’s tech ecosystem, he’s helping to guide it towards greater diversity — with initiatives in research, representation, and funding. […]
Joanna Griffiths launched Knix Wear when she became aware of a need in the market for underwear that could handle “little leaks.” She solved that problem, and for the next five years focused on building a brand that helped women get over their insecurities and facilitate conversations. The strategy paid off. Not only is Knix […]
The journey towards a diverse and inclusive workplace can be long and difficult — especially in an industry that’s overwhelmingly male-dominated — but David Pathe, President and CEO of Canadian resource company Sherritt International, knows that the benefits still outweigh the challenges. Here’s how his organization is making change. By Hailey Eisen […]
Joanna Griffiths launched Knixwear when she became aware of a need in the market for underwear that could handle “little leaks.” She solved that problem, and for the next five years focused on building a brand that helped women get over their insecurities and facilitate conversations. The strategy paid off. Not only is Knix a […]
Stephania Stefanakou is a fashion technology entrepreneur, and the CEO and Co-Founder at House of Anesi, a lingerie-tech startup based in Toronto. With a Bachelor of Design from Ryerson University, and a background in Digital Fabrication, she first started her research into shape-shifting clothing during a semester at Manchester Metropolitan University. As well as being […]
Ashley Kirwan is the Co-founder, CEO and Principal Geologist at Orix Geoscience; a leading geology firm that partners with exploration and mining companies to provide geological and geomatic expertise and business strategies for grassroots, brownfields and advanced projects. Orix started in a downturn and has grown over the last six years to 56 employees within […]
Veronica Richards is a businesswoman with more than two decades of experience in supporting companies to connect with their potential clients and to grow globally. She is the founding partner and Vice President at CALLS Contact Center in Mexico, a company with 23 years of experience and founding partner and Vice President at WW Calls […]
Andrea Grobocopatel is an Argentine agronomist, president of Fundación por Liderazgos y Organizaciones Responsables (F.L.O.R), and president and shareholder of Los Grobo S.G.R., a leading agro-industrial group in South America. She co-founded her family business, together with her father and his brother, when she was only 21 years old. Andrea is a mentor of Vital Voices […]
At OMERS, diversity and inclusion isn’t just a goal on the horizon. Satish Rai, Chief Investment Officer with OMERS, explains how the organization has created a culture that puts respect and support first, with policies and daily actions that reinforce their inclusive message. By Hailey Eisen There’s no shortage of conversations about […]
Lexi Miles is the Founder and CEO of WAXON Laser + Waxbar, launched in 2012 for both women and men on the go. Now with 13 locations nationwide and the launch of its innovative new-to-market laser, Lexi oversees all aspects of the WAXON business – from franchise building and day-to-day operations of existing locations, marketing, […]
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