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StrikeUP and WEKH Collaborate to Advance Sustainability among Women Entrepreneurs 

Cobourg, ON – StrikeUP welcomes the return of the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) as a key partner in StrikeUP 2024, a free digital conference taking place on February 29, 2024. 

This year’s conference theme, “Driving Change,” will focus on preparing women entrepreneurs to meet the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. Featuring inspiring keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions, attendees will be introduced to innovative ideas, technologies, and industry best practices that will redefine the way they conduct business.        

Women entrepreneurs and business owners will have the chance to participate in WEKH’s workshop to explore the intersection of women entrepreneurship and sustainability within the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Canada. This session will offer attendees the opportunity to uncover strategies, insights, and tools to help prepare their businesses for the transition to a greener economy. Attendees will not only discover how they can take the lead in promoting sustainability, but also gain a deeper appreciation of how women entrepreneurs are actively pursuing more environmentally responsible business practices. 

“Women entrepreneurs are at the forefront of pioneering sustainable practices, generating innovative ideas, concepts, and solutions that are reshaping the landscape of business and our global environment.” stated Wendy Curtis, Executive Director of NCFDC. “Our collaboration with WEKH ensures that StrikeUP 2024 attendees will have the opportunity to access cutting-edge information on current sustainability trends, enabling them to better comprehend how their businesses can prepare as we shift towards a more inclusive, innovative, and eco-friendly economy.”

“Our research shows that women entrepreneurs are more likely than men to start businesses that focus on environmental and social sustainability efforts,” said Wendy Cukier, Founder and Academic Director, Diversity Institute and the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) and research lead for the Future Skills Centre. “We also know that many SMEs lack the resources, knowledge—including skills, training and mentorship—and tools to make their operations more sustainable, which is why we are pleased to support them to better understand barriers and advance their sustainability and business goals.”

StrikeUP 2024 will convene over 4,000 women entrepreneurs from across Canada, providing them with access to mentorship, financing, and valuable networking opportunities. Attend StrikeUP 2024 for free by registering now. 

StrikeUP was founded in partnership with the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).  

About StrikeUP

StrikeUP is Canada’s flagship digital conference uniting women entrepreneurs and the women entrepreneurship ecosystem, with a united vision of equity and inclusive economic growth through entrepreneurship. Founded by Northumberland CFDC and presented in partnership with The Scotiabank Women Initiative®, Export Development Canada, and MNP, StrikeUP 2024 will showcase the diversity and ambition of Canada’s women entrepreneurs through an accessible program focused on growth, funding, networking, digital adoption and global opportunities. Find out more about StrikeUP’s mission, vision, and community at strikeup.ca.

About WEKH

The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) is a national, bilingual network and accessible digital platform for sharing research, resources and best practices to create a more inclusive innovation ecosystem. With 10 regional hubs and a network of more than 250 organizations, WEKH is designed to address the needs of diverse women entrepreneurs across regions and sectors. With the support of the Government of Canada, WEKH  shares research to help service providers, academics, government and industry to enhance their support for women entrepreneurs. Toronto Metropolitan University’s Diversity Institute is the research lead for the Future Skills Centre, focusing on developing capacity and skills to drive economic growth and sustainability.  

Press and Media Inquiries

For interviews and further information contact:
Victoria Pichler
vpichler@ncfdc.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

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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.