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Hayley Wickenheiser Keynote: The Champion’s Edge at StrikeUP 2026

A Legacy of Leadership

StrikeUP 2026 is honoured to welcome Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser as this year’s keynote speaker. An Olympic gold medalist, Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, medical doctor, and senior executive with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dr. Wickenheiser is one of the most respected figures in Canadian sport and leadership. Her career reflects excellence, reinvention, and a lifelong commitment to building stronger communities.

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In addition to her achievements on the world stage, she is the founder of WickFest, the Wickenheiser World Female Hockey Festival, an international event dedicated to mentorship, skill building, and expanding opportunity for young women and girls in sport. Her experience advancing women’s leadership both on and off the ice makes her an exceptional voice for entrepreneurs navigating growth, transition, and new opportunities.

A Journey That Inspires Action

Dr. Wickenheiser’s path from elite athlete to physician and NHL executive has been shaped by discipline, curiosity, and a desire to make meaningful change. She became the youngest player ever selected for Canada’s National Women’s Team, went on to become one of the country’s most decorated Olympians, and later transitioned into medicine while continuing to break new ground in hockey operations.

Her keynote will draw from these varied experiences to explore how to lead with intention, perform under pressure, and approach change with confidence. Her perspective is grounded in real-world challenge and will resonate with entrepreneurs who balance ambition, responsibility, and the constant need to adapt.

Lessons for Women Entrepreneurs

Dr. Wickenheiser’s experience offers practical guidance for women building and leading businesses in today’s economy. She brings a clear, steady approach to navigating uncertainty, making decisive choices, and finding purpose in every stage of growth. Her work with athletes, communities, and high-performance teams reinforces the value of mentorship, collaboration, and the networks that lift women up.

Her keynote will help participants reflect on their own leadership, strengthen their decision-making, and identify the tools they need for long-term resilience. It is a perspective that aligns closely with StrikeUP’s mission to support women entrepreneurs with practical learning, national connection, and opportunities for growth.

Setting the Stage for StrikeUP 2026

StrikeUP 2026 brings together thousands of women entrepreneurs to learn, connect, and grow. Dr. Wickenheiser’s keynote will help set the stage for this year’s theme, Rise to the Challenge, with a focus on clarity, community, and leadership in action. Her story reflects the core ideas driving the conference: ambition, adaptability, and purpose, grounded in the belief that women rise further when they rise together.

Whether participants are launching a new venture, scaling an existing business, or rethinking the next phase of their careers, her insights will provide perspective and motivation for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Join Us at StrikeUP 2026

Be part of a national gathering of women entrepreneurs shaping Canada’s future. Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser’s keynote will offer clear leadership lessons, practical tools for growth, and a compelling message about what it means to build a career with purpose.

Mark your calendar: free registration opens December 1 at strikeup.ca

Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Keynote for StrikeUP 2026 Announcement

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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.