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Master of Ceremonies
Helena Kameka, a musician, artist and comedian from Toronto, Ontario. Her career in music includes performances on numerous radio and television shows including “Good Morning America“, the “Canadian Country Music Awards“, and several Canadian national television specials. Helena also performed for UN soldiers in places like Bosnia, Egypt, Cyprus, Israel and Germany. She is a two-time CCMA award winner and Juno nominee and has contributed her voice to various radio and television commercials, and other artists’ recording projects. She has played for and/or toured with artists such as Shania Twain, Roch Voisine, George Fox, Lisa Brokop, The Wilkinsons, Jason McCoy, and many more. Her comedic activities involve 10+ “characters” that she performs on television and at conferences, prisons and online. As Vice President of the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness (CCAA), Helena oversees the marketing and communications, events, and is Editor in Chief of CCAA’s monthly eZine, AbuseHurts.Com.
Carolyn Dickinson is a Success Coach for Entrepreneurs, the Founder of SuperMom Entrepreneur, a collaborative community that helps dream-chasing women turn their passions into profits while integrating the demands of family life. She is an expert at networking, sales, creating relationships, and elevating others.
Over the past decade, Carolyn has become an accomplished speaker and event organizer offering hands on experience leading international sales and marketing. She also holds an annual “I Am The Boss” Conference, a training event with networking and collaborative opportunities for women who want to create lifestyle freedom by building their own business. Carolyn is also the recipient of several awards in her industry, including Top Retailer and Top Leadership.
She also holds a degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Education, and a certification in Family Medication.
Based on her strong family values as a wife and mother of two amazing little girls, she believes that anything is possible. Overcoming many challenges in her life and in finding work, life integration has given Carolyn the passion to support and coach others in having a powerful mindset that creates the time to make the money you want.
Jody Steinhauer is President and CBO (Chief Bargain Officer) of the Bargains Group. Jody has mobilized her award winning discount wholesale and promotional products company to revolutionize the business landscape.A winner of the Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, and a PROFIT W100 Recipient, Jody Steinhauer uses her network of resources and leveraged buying power to aid every company and not-for-profit agency that she touches to maximize their buying dollar. Since 1988, Jody has grown Bargains Group from her apartment to a multi-million dollar-a-year business. She is also often sought out for speaking engagements due to her successful entrepreneurial business experience, and has been featured in various media outlets, and is an official Huffington Post blogger.Pioneering her belief of “giving back makes good business sense”, Jody is a tireless not-for-profit advocate, and the founder of the national charity, Engage and Change, and its two annual initiatives, Project Winter Survival and Project Water. Through these projects, Engage and Change helps thousands of homeless throughout Toronto and Vancouver survive the extreme weather conditions while engaging and enabling citizens of all ages to donate their time to their local community through sponsored group engagement events. Jody and the Bargains Group also supply hundreds of similar projects across Canada.Jody’s achievements include: Toronto Region Board of Trade’s Business Leader of the Year Award, Rotman Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, Toronto Board of Trade-Business Excellence Award, Kaufman Community Award, FLARE Magazine Volunteer of the Year-two time finalist, PPPC Award for Humanitarian of the Year, Women of Influence Local Hero Award, POWER Mentor Excellence Award, Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture Award-two time finalist, Canada’s Profit W100 Recipient, and recipient of the TD Paul Croutch Award.
Krista Jefferson is a professional photographer. A mother to two daughters. A wife to her college sweetheart.
A few years ago, Krista found she was wanting more – not more things, but more purpose. She wanted (she might argue “needed”) to find a way to give back. To contribute to the change she hoped to see in our world – rather than just sitting back.
In 2012, after finding herself in Uganda with her camera and meeting some of the most incredibly strong, courageous, gifted people… Krista launched JustOne. Recognizing she was just one person who wanted to see world change – and by acting on it, she could make a difference.
Ann Douglas is the creator of the bestselling The Mother of All Books pregnancy and parenting series (over half a million copies sold in North America to date) and the author, most recently, of Parenting Through the Storm: Handling the Highs, the Lows, and Everything in Between (HarperCollins Canada, January 2015). Ann has taught writing courses at Trent University and Fleming College, has delivered writing workshops on behalf of The Writers’ Union of Canada and the Professional Writers Association of Canada, and has guided a number of first-time authors through the process of bringing their first book to market. In June 2013, Ann was awarded a lifetime membership by the Professional Writers Association of Canada in recognition of her contributions to the writing profession.
Shelagh Cummins is a sought after speaker, consultant and educator for entrepreneurs who are ready to increase their sales and revenue. She has created the 10 Step Profit PathTM to help entrepreneurs charge premium prices to premium clients with their premium product or service resulting in premium profits. Her Grow Your Business signature program and Premium Business Club blend set curriculum, intensive training and consulting for entrepreneurs ready to break through business bottlenecks, business growth and expand their business beyond themselves.
Shelagh is known for delivering engaging, empowering, educational and insightful sessions and has delivered performance improvement solutions developed over 15 years as a coach, instructor, river guide, teacher and leadership program director.
Shelagh thrives educating and empowering women entrepreneurs who are ready to move their business up their priority ladder.
She’s a regular speaker at women entrepreneur networking events and conferences.
Alison Kramer is Writer and Co-creator of Content at UnMarketing. She has co-written four best-selling books –
UnMarketing, The Book of Business Awesome/UnAwesome, QR Codes Kill Kittens and UnSelling.
Prior to writing, she developed and ran an international maternity lingerie company called Nummies. Alison writes and speaks about social media, parenting, business and marketing. Alison is mother of a bunch of awesome minis, reluctant runner and yogi. Her current adventures also include co-hosting CBS”s premier business podcast, the UnPodcast, with her partner the wonderful Scott Stratten.
Jeff Pulver is an Internet pioneer known for his work in growing the VoIP industry. A globally renowned thought leader, inspirational speaker and entrepreneur. In 1995 Jeff defined “VON” to stand for Voice/Video on the Net. In 2004 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued what is known as “The Pulver Order.” From 1997 to 2008 he hosted/produced the VON Conferences which directly contributed to the worldwide acceptance of VoIP. In 2009 Jeff started hosting a conference series looking at the effects of social media on business and life known as the “140 Characters Conference”, #140conf.
For more details about Jeff, see Jeff Pulver in Wikipedia.
Since 1995, Jeff Pulver has been involved in many startups. Some as founder, others as co-founder and others as an advisor and/or investor. Some of his startups include: Free World Dialup (FWD) (was the first worldwide Internet Telephony Phone network), the VON Coalition, Vivox and VoIP provider, Vonage. Currently, Jeff serves as Chairman of Zula, a company he co-founded together with Jacob Ner-David.
Named by BusinessWeek as one of their 2003 Tech Gurus and was profiled by the Wall Street Journal in 2006. Jeff is committed to the future of the Internet and is featured often in the media as an expert in his field. Jeff has influenced the creation of numerous other startups around the world.
Jeff is an active investor in (early) early-stage companies with a specific focus since 2007 on Israeli Hi-Tech Startups. CrunchBase profile (not entirely accurate)
Jeff discovered crowd sourced motivation during his recent journey where he avoided gastric by-pass surgery and “outsourced” 120+ pounds (54+ kilos) from July 2012-December 2013. Jeff continues to be an advocate of healthy living, regular exercise and “eating with intention.”
Meghan Telpner is a Toronto-based author, speaker, nutritionist, and founder of the Academy of Culinary Nutrition. Her humorous, engaging and real approach to living an awesome, healthy life has garnered her a world-wide following and extensive media attention. Meghan’s Academy of Culinary Nutrition, is growing a global tribe of vibrant living advocates and her bestselling and award-winning book UnDiet: Eat Your Way to Vibrant Health is creating a revolution in how people think about their health. With an equal passion for both vibrant living and business, Meghan works with health focused independent practitioners and small businesses to find their unique voice in a crowded marketplace, stay ahead of the curve, cultivate community and convert passion into profitable, socially responsible ventures. For more visit MeghanTelpner.com.
Marissa McTassey is the Pink Work Boot Lady in her footwear circles and known in the business world as a woman with moxie. The meaning of “moxie” is the ability to face fear with spirit and courage. Moxietrades.com leads with a photo of her in a tutu with the headlines “I am a Mom, I am a Wife, I am Brilliant, I am Strong, I can Build S#!T!”
She is the founder and President of Moxie Trades Ltd.; a company that is a threat in the safety footwear industry. The company’s first product was the Iconic Pink Work Boot. Today, Moxie Trades offers a complete line of safety footwear, apparel and hardware accessories made exclusively for women and distributed throughout North America.
Dev Ramsumair is Founder and CEO of Omni-Media and Entertainment, having been a creative force in the fashion industry for over 14 years.
As a teenager, Dev began his own fashion advertising agency. He developed some of fashion’s most cutting edge advertisements, including the 2001-2004 Diesel campaign for “Successful Living,” the 2002 “Return to Lanvin” campaign, the 2005 Dior Homme campaign inspired by Michael Jackson, and the 2005 Canadian Launch of Sean John. Under his leadership, his firm produced shows for New York Fashion Week, Toronto’s L’Oreal Fashion Week, Fashion Cares, Bloor Street Entertains, the Miss Universe Pageant, the Toronto International Film Festival and has just wrapped production on a 13-week exposé on the fashion industry as a reality series. Dev’s latest project is The Global Change Initiative the first ever global summit on social justice, innovation and social enterprise. Taking place at Toronto City Hall Council Chamber, this global summit is supported by The City of Toronto, MaRS Discovery District, The United Nations, UNESCO among many others.
Gillian Barth has more than 30 years experience in the field of global development and relief, specializing in program and human resources. She has had leadership roles in international development, human resources, and program research and management.
She has worked with CARE for over 20 years, serving from 2011 to 2013 as its Executive Vice-President. Since joining CARE in 1991 as a manager of the Latin America program, she has served in progressively senior management positions in a wide range of programs, including water, health and environment, resource development, monitoring, human resources and external relations.
Jaeny Baik transforms women entrepreneurs from “zero to hero” on video.
Her insatiable curiosity drove her to dig up stories for a decade as a reporter and TV host for the CBC. Her first show won a Gracie Allen Award from New York City, and after hosting “Living Vancouver,” viewership shot up by almost 50%.
With Jaeny Baik Media Inc, she trains women to perform authentically on-camera with the belief that people buy from people, not corporations. The more human we are, the more business we’ll generate.
Jaeny also directs YouTube videos, and crafts stories and elevator pitches with authentic *’PUNCH!* She’s worked with clients around the world, including Doha, Qatar in the Middle East via video Skype.
Her passion runs deep – slaying corporate clichés and revealing the honest, human face behind business through online video marketing.
Don’t get left behind. You can SHINE online!
Susan Schenk is an Occupational Therapist and a ‘real’ life Mom strategist. She uses her personal story and professional background to empower Moms and Therapists so they will know how to support kids in a real way — so kids can ‘learn their way’and be successful at school and home. She uses technology and other devices to allow kids to develop the skills they need, so they can get stuff done! She provides online courses to OTs across Canada and the United States. She also has 1-on-1 support and group programs that will empower Moms as they walk through steps and strategies to support their child in a new way. Her passion is to support kids with learning differences so they can show others what they know.
Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman, creator of the Sacred Feminine Success Path Certification Program, is a goosebump-giving Juno (Canadian Grammy) Award-winning singer, speaker, spirit-led mentor and indigenous shaman.
After many years of being terrified of being seen and heard, and suppressing her spiritual gifts, Brenda is passionate about helping spiritual women entrepreneurs to find their voice, OWN their gifts and create and sell exceptional signature services that make a lasting difference in the world.
Painfully shy and introverted into her teens, Brenda let her passion for singing lead her onto the stage and by the age of 20 she was a rap artist on Top 40 Radio in Miami.
Hidden behind Brenda’s enigmatic success was a cycle of toxic relationships that landed her in an Aboriginal healing lodge, where a Navajo medicine woman recognized Brenda as a healer. Since then, Brenda’s mentorship, healing, training, speaking and singing has helped thousands of women around the world to find their voice.
Brenda has shared her magic, mystery, laughter, leadership and soul on MuchMusic, APTN, CTV, CP24, Global, Vision, CityTV’s Breakfast Television, OMNI, Rogers and TeleLatino Network, as well as CBC Radio and CFRB FM. Her music has been featured on CBC and hundreds of other radio stations, garnering top ten status multiple times. She has appeared live across North America and shared the stage with best-selling authors Dr. Emoto, Shakti Gawain and Gregg Braden.
In her spare time, Brenda can be found in the middle of a belly laugh, ecstatic dance or on a midnight walk with her teenage daughter.
Athena Taddei is the Co-founder of WiseMouth Media Inc. and the President of Little Fish Big pond Inc.
After two decades of successfully providing workshops/seminars and marketing/business development solutions for brands such as: UPS Customer Solutions | Global Program Management, Landscape Ontario, Opportunity International Canada, HomeWell Senior Care, Older Adults Association of Ontario, Performins Canada Inc., Framing & Art Centres and Awareness Corporation, Athena felt the need to give back to society. So together with her business partner, they co-founded WiseMouth Media Inc and developed a non-judgmental on-line space that allows all people, regardless of status or age a free place to come to, so that they can deposits bits of their wisdom, insights and experiences for the purpose of social good.
Athena believes in the power of ordinary people because they live lives that are extraordinary, so she continues to work with individuals and smaller organizations that want to foster authentic community engagement.
Leigh Mitchell is a passionate relationship marketer and storyteller who specializes in helping business owners and bloggers define and amplify their value and message. Leigh is drawn to connecting her community across North America and in person throughout Canada. Her career has led her to successfully work with major brands such as GM Canada, Microsoft Canada, Telus, Johnson & Johnson, Maple Leaf Foods, TD Canada Trust, Staples Canada and Random House. Leigh has been featured on CBC Radio, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and in other media and has been a featured speaker at Blissdom Canada, The Wellness Business Summit and has served as a judge for UPS and Microsoft Small Business Contests.
Leigh is the Founder and President of Women in Biz Network and passionate healthy living advocate (after a 15 + career in health promotion), yoga junkie and self professed techie nerd. When she isn’t blogging or tweeting, you will find her outside, biking, hiking or running in the great outdoors while also excessively Instagram-ing photos to Facebook when no one is looking.
