Inspiring Speakers

We’re excited to welcome a diverse group of industry leaders and innovators to the StrikeUP 2026 digital stage! Each speaker brings unique insights and expertise to the table. Explore their bios and learn more about their backgrounds, accomplishments, what they’ll be sharing during the event and how to connect.

Keynote Speaker

Professional headshot of Hayley Wickenheiser for a Business Conference in Canada

Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser

Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist | Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame

Opening Remarks

Anne G Berthaud Headshot

Anne-Gabrielle Berthaud

National Engagement Lead | Inclusive Trade
EDC

StrikeUP 2025 Speaker Claudette Commanda

Claudette Commanda

Elder & Chancellor

The Honorable Rechie Valdez

Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

Professional headshot of Chris McMartin, featured as a speaker and advocate for women entrepreneurship at StrikeUP.ca.

Chris McMartin

Business Banking National Lead
The Scotiabank Women Initiative®

Heather Cannings, featured speaker at StrikeUP, Canada’s leading Business Conference supporting Women Entrepreneurship.

Heather Cannings

StrikeUP Program Lead
Nventure

Wendy Curtis smiling in a professional headshot for the StrikeUP Business Conference in Canada.

Wendy Curtis

CEO
Nventure

Panel Discussion

Professional headshot of Lindsay Whiston-Babcock, featured female entrepreneur at a Business Conference in Canada

Lindsay Whiston-Babcock

Senior Relationship Manager
EDC

Professional headshot of Chris McMartin, featured as a speaker and advocate for women entrepreneurship at StrikeUP.ca.

Chris McMartin

Business Banking National Lead
The Scotiabank Women Initiative®

Jillian Climie smiling in a professional headshot, representing women entrepreneurship and business leadership in Canada.

Jillian Climie

Co-CEO & Co-Founder
The Thoughtful Co.

Workshop Speakers

Adrianne Fekete

Founder & CEO
I Am Unbreakable® Global Media

Professional headshot of Amanda Parker, featured as a speaker and advocate for women entrepreneurship at StrikeUP.ca.

Amanda Parker

Country Manager/GM - Canada
Constant Contact

Confident female entrepreneur in a black blazer featured at a women’s business conference in Canada

Belinda Thornhill

President & CEO
Belmonda Beauty Academy & Distribution

Professional headshot of Erin Bury, featured as a speaker and advocate for women entrepreneurship at StrikeUP.ca.

Erin Bury

Co-Founder & CEO
Willful

Confident woman entrepreneur in professional attire representing women leadership and business networking in Canada

Gwladys Tapsoba

Senior Advisor – International and ECA Relations
EDC

Karen Sytnick

Director Advisory, BC and North
BDC

KC Goundiam

Founder and CEO
B2BeeMatch

Laurie Klassen

CEO and Co-Founder
Level Ground Coffee Roasters

Professional headshot of Marie-Michelle Poulin, featured speaker at StrikeUP business conference in Canada for women entrepreneurs.

Marie-Michelle Poulin

Director General, Regional Network, Intergovernmental Relations and Trade Missions
Global Affairs Canada

Professional headshot of Nicole Flytographer, featured female entrepreneur at a Business Conference in Canada

Nicole Smith

Founder and CEO
Flytographer

Shelby, founder of Chickapea, featured in a professional headshot representing women entrepreneurship and business leadership in Canada.

Shelby Taylor

Founder and CEO
Chickapea

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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.