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Choose Your Path to Growth: StrikeUP 2026 Workshops & Panels

Pick Your Adventure: StrikeUP 2026 Workshops to Power Your Growth

At StrikeUP 2026, you’re in control of your learning journey. With multiple workshops running at the same time, you can choose the sessions that best fit your goals — whether that’s mastering marketing, building confidence, or planning for global expansion. Your adventure starts here!

This years conference is packed with workshops and panels designed to give women entrepreneurs the tools, insights, and inspiration they need to grow their businesses. From mindset to marketing, legal essentials to financial planning, every session is built to spark ideas, build confidence, and connect you with a national community of peers.

Register for StrikeUP 2026 to reserve your spot and start planning your schedule. 

The Blank Slate Effect: How to Use an Entrepreneurial Mindset to Win in Business

Led by Erin Bury, Co-Founder and CEO of Willful, and presented by The Scotiabank Women Initiative®, this session breaks down the core qualities that define an entrepreneurial mindset: resourcefulness, risk-taking and thinking beyond established rules. Through real-world case studies, Erin illustrates how organizations of any size can adopt this mindset to spark innovation and rethink their marketing and business strategies. Participants will leave with a practical worksheet to help them apply the “blank slate effect” in their next brainstorming session.

Scaling Up: Growth Strategies for Women-Owned Businesses

Led by Gwladys Tapsoba and presented by Export Development Canada (EDC), this session is designed to help women entrepreneurs strengthen their growth potential, especially when expanding into international markets. Featuring three women business owners at different stages of growth, the workshop highlights how preparation, research and a clear strategy can unlock new opportunities. Participants will learn how to refine their value proposition, build an export plan, identify promising markets, prepare for risks and stay adaptable in a shifting global landscape through this conversation with the CEOs of Chickapea, Flytographer and Belmonda.

From Vision to Victory: Build for Growth and Future Opportunities

Presented by BDC and led by Karen Sytnick, this dynamic conversation with Laurie Klassen, the CEO & co-founder of Level Ground Coffee Roasters, explores how to build your business with long-term growth and future opportunities in mind. Whether you’re launching a new venture or scaling up, you’ll gain practical guidance to anticipate challenges, increase your business’s value, and confidently prepare for what’s ahead.

Diversification and Export Strategies for Entrepreneurs Looking to Expand

Join Global Affairs Canada‘s own Marie-Michelle Poulin in a fireside chat with KC Gourdiam, founder & CEO of B2BeeMatch, who has expanded her market reach beyond Canada, exploring the steps taken to get there and the benefits of diversification.

The Rockstar Confidence™ Kickstart

Presented by Nventure and led by award-winning media expert, entrepreneur, and human behaviour specialist Adrianne Fekete, The Rockstar Confidence™ Kickstart is a high-energy workshop teaching participants how to build unshakable confidence and lead boldly in their businesses. Through the Rockstar Confidence Manifesto, practical micro-actions, and guided reflection prompts, entrepreneurs will learn how to navigate high-pressure moments, reset their self-talk, and define their next bold move.

How Entrepreneurs Can Use AI to Simplify Marketing and Save Time

Presented by DELIA and led by Amanda Parker of Constant Contact, this practical, hands-on workshop is designed to help women entrepreneurs integrate AI into their marketing workflows. Learn what AI is, how it functions in a marketing context, and how it can streamline tasks, spark fresh ideas and boost efficiency. Participants will also discover best practices for using AI-generated content effectively and responsibly. By the end, entrepreneurs will leave with actionable strategies to simplify their marketing, stay consistent and engage their audiences more meaningfully.

Exclusive Giveaways for Attendees

StrikeUP 2026 isn’t just about learning and connecting — it’s about celebrating you! Every workshop and segment comes with its own exciting giveaway, featuring prizes from our incredible speakers and partners. From gift cards and premium services to inspiring books and unique experiences, these giveaways are designed to support and delight women entrepreneurs. To enter, simply register and attend the sessions — each one gives you a new chance to win. The more you participate, the more opportunities you have to take home something amazing!

Register now to unlock your chance to win!

Explore the agenda and plan your sessions today.

StrikeUP 2026 workshops and panels offer actionable insights, expert guidance, and meaningful connections for women entrepreneurs at every stage. With sessions across mindset, legal, branding, marketing, financial planning, and growth, there is something for everyone.

StrikeUP 2026 Lineup of Powerhouse Speakers
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Chantal Lavergne

PANELIST

Founder, Oh Colour Me

Chantal Lavergne is the founder of Oh Color Me, a Canadian company creating simple and bold coloring books designed to make creativity more accessible and less overwhelming. Inspired by her family’s experiences with ADHD and autism, she developed a collection of mini coloring books that encourage people of all ages to unplug, slow down, and enjoy moments of calm.

Drawing on more than a decade of entrepreneurial experience, Chantal has grown Oh Color Me into a brand carried by over 300+ retailers across Canada and the United States in less than 2 years. Passionate about creativity, innovation, and building businesses with purpose, she enjoys sharing her journey as a founder and advocating for products that support well-being and connection.

Ina Maria Toncescu

Panel Moderator

Founder & CEO, noLMIT Marketing

Ina Maria Toncescu is a marketing strategist with over 17 years of experience helping businesses grow with focus, purpose, and measurable results. Across small business, non-profit, and government sectors, she’s led transformative marketing strategies, built systems that last, and landed multi-million-dollar deals using the same frameworks she teaches today. As the founder of noLMIT Marketing, Ina works with clients through corporate marketing training, digital strategy building, website development, search and AI engine optimization, email marketing, and more.

 

Her philosophy is simple: in a world obsessed with AI and flashy branding, the businesses that win are the ones that get the foundations right, storytelling, strategic systems, and genuine connection with the people they serve.

Géraldine Jippé

PANELIST

Founder, Bloossoming House/Co-Founder at AssetsWaves

Géraldine Jippé is the founder of Bloossoming House, a curated ecosystem empowering female founders to thrive and access capital, the creator and host of the Female Founders Networking Breakfast, and the co-founder of AssetsWaves, a blockchain-based platform designed to facilitate digital asset investments.

Domenique Mastronardi

PANELIST

President, Beck’s Broth

Domenique Mastronardi is the President of Beck’s Broth, an innovative collection of bone-broth-based drinks including hot chocolate and coffee. Her specialty is developing and commercializing sustainable foods that are healthy, delicious, and profitable. She heads up Finance and Operations at Beck’s Broth, and just closed their $500K seed round!

Vivian Kaye

Keynote Speaker

Founder, KinkyCurlyYaki

Vivian Kaye is a serial entrepreneur and business educator who bootstrapped KinkyCurlyYaki, a beauty product-based e-commerce brand, to seven figures without outside funding. With over 15 years of experience in operations, inventory management, and digital commerce, she has mentored 1300+ entrepreneurs through programs with Amazon, Shopify, Toronto Public Library, and Humber College’s Longo School of Business.

Featured in The New York Times, Toronto Star, and on CityTV’s Cityline, Vivian has partnered with brands including American Express Canada. Porsche Canada and Desjardins Bank. She brings practical, founder-to-founder insights on building sustainable businesses, scaling without massive budgets, and staying authentic while growing. Her direct, no-nonsense approach cuts through the noise and focuses on what actually works.