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StrikeUP 2025 Features Dynamic Lineup of Workshops, Panels & Fireside Chats to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

COBOURG, ONTARIO, February 11, 2025 – StrikeUP 2025, Canada’s leading digital conference for women entrepreneurs, will be featuring an exciting agenda of interactive workshops, panels, and fireside chats designed to equip attendees with the knowledge and strategies to grow their businesses. Taking place on February 27, 2025, this national free event will feature leading women entrepreneurs and industry leaders who will discuss topics such as AI, financial empowerment, global expansion, branding, and well-being.

Co-presented by the Scotiabank Women Initiative® and Export Development Canada, the conference features an inspiring keynote by author and founder Jillian Harris alongside engaging sessions such as:

Using AI to Build Stronger, Smarter Businesses – Led by Susan Diaz and presented by The Scotiabank Women Initiative®, this session will break down how AI can streamline operations, boost efficiency, and enhance business decision-making. Attendees will gain practical insights, see live demonstrations, and learn strategies to leverage AI as a tool for productivity and growth.

Turning Passion into Purpose – Presented by BDC and Futurpreneur, entrepreneurs Richa Gupta (Good Food for Good) and Kailey Gilchrist (NONA Vegan) will share their journeys in building successful, mission-driven businesses. With a welcome from BDC’s Executive Vice President and COO, Véronique Dorval and moderated by Futurpreneur CEO, Karen Greve Young, this session will explore how to align company growth with core values, navigate entrepreneurial challenges, and tap into community networks to drive meaningful impact.

Financial Empowerment Through Strategic Connections – Presented by The Scotiabank Women Initiative® and Export Development Canada, this panel discussion will explore the power of financial mentorship and strategic networking. Experts Gwladys Tapsoba (EDC), Chris McMartin (The Scotiabank Women Initiative®), and Marie Chevrier Schwartz (TechTO), will provide actionable insights on cultivating financial partnerships, leveraging networks to support business growth, and tangible networking tips to foster meaningful connections.

Create Your Export Vision to Grow Globally – Presented by Export Development Canada and moderated by Lora Rigutto from the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT), this hands-on workshop will equip entrepreneurs with the tools needed to expand globally. The session will guide attendees through the steps of entering new markets, adapting their products and services, and managing international transactions.

Responsible AI in the Workplace – Led by professor, founder and academic director of the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH), Dr. Wendy Cukier, this session will explore the latest research on AI adoption in Canadian businesses, addressing key barriers, ethical considerations, and best practices for responsible AI integration. Entrepreneurs will learn practical steps to adopt AI while managing risks and ensuring ethical compliance.

Trailblazing Beyond Borders – Presented by the Trade Commissioner Service, this fireside chat features Barb Stegemann, founder of The 7 Virtues, and Dr. Julia Bao, founder of BAO Laboratory. They will share their experiences in successfully expanding businesses internationally and discussing strategies for entering global markets.

Mastering Entrepreneurial Stress – Led by Brittany Freeman (Be Free Mindset) and presented by Nventure, this workshop provides actionable techniques for managing stress and preventing burnout. Attendees will learn how to differentiate between stress and burnout and apply mindset strategies to stay emotionally regulated while growing their businesses.

To take part in these workshops and register for free, visit www.strikeup.ca.

About StrikeUP Canada

Founded by Nventure, StrikeUP Canada hosts Canada’s flagship digital conference uniting women entrepreneurs and the women entrepreneurship ecosystem. Now in its fifth year, StrikeUP continues to provide free, high-impact programming that supports the growth, funding, networking, digital adoption, and global expansion of women-led businesses.

Beyond the conference, StrikeUP Canada offers free webinars that showcase the diversity and ambition of Canadian women entrepreneurs. To date, StrikeUP Canada has welcomed more than 20,000 women to its conferences and webinars.

For more information, please contact:

Daniela Scoppa
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Nventure
dscoppa@nventure.ca

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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.