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Why StrikeUP Is Canada’s Most Powerful Community for Women Entrepreneurs

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StrikeUP is a national movement connecting women entrepreneurs across Canada. Through digital engagement, live viewing parties, interactive workshops, and ongoing networking opportunities, StrikeUP creates a vibrant community that empowers women to learn, grow, and collaborate.

Whether you’re just starting your business, scaling to new markets, or seeking connections with like-minded leaders, StrikeUP provides the resources and network to help you thrive.

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Why You Need to Attend StrikeUP 2026

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StrikeUP Canada is pleased to announce the return of its sixth annual digital conference that will welcome thousands of women entrepreneurs from across Canada on February 26, 2026. StrikeUP 2026 – Rise to the Challenge, Canada’s signature event to kick off International Women’s Month, is a free event that offers accessible, world-class programming that celebrates the power of women in today’s ever-changing business landscape.  

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Your Most Powerful Business Tool Isn’t a Tool. It’s Connection.

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Running a business takes courage, creativity and drive but the most powerful tool in any entrepreneur’s toolkit is connection.

Connection sparks new ideas, builds trust and opens doors that hard work alone can’t unlock. It’s what turns inspiration into action, and ambition into results. Through shared learning and community, entrepreneurs gain the insight and confidence to grow stronger together.

Your Most Powerful Business Tool Isn’t a Tool. It’s Connection. Read More »

Feeling Stuck? Signs Your Business Needs a Reset and What to Do About It

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During BDC Small Business Week StrikeUP Connects is hosting a timely webinar designed to help founders break out of stagnation and reset for growth. Join us on Tuesday, October 21 at 12:00 PM EST for “Feeling Stuck? Signs Your Business Needs a Reset and What to Do About It.” The session is led by BDC expert Siobhan McManus and will offer practical, actionable guidance you can apply right away.

Feeling Stuck? Signs Your Business Needs a Reset and What to Do About It Read More »

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Mia Fiona Kut

PANELIST

CEO and Founder, Luna Nectar

Mia Fiona Kut is the founder of Luna Nectar, a sustainable, adaptogenic haircare brand with the mission to kick the stigma of women’s hair loss. Growing up with Eastern traditional medicinal herbs to ease her health and scalp issues, she aims to share the power of adaptogens with the world.

 

During an 8-year stint in the film industry as a writer and director of multiple award-winning short films (including a nomination for Best Canadian Short Film at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival), Mia launched Luna Nectar, and earned the 2019 BC Business 30 Under 30 Award. Since then, she was the recipient of the 2023 Visa She’s Next Award, and is currently a nominee for the 2024 YWCA Women of Distinction in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

 

Her all-natural, waterless innovation Moon Boost Lash & Brow Enhancing Serum (an alternative to harmful chemical-based, hormone-disrupting lash enhancers), has been named as ‘Best Vegan Lash Serum’ in Vogue and ‘Top 10 Lash Serums’ in Women’s Health Magazine, and has garnered a ‘Best Hair Treatment’ nomination for the CertClean Awards, and ‘Best Haircare Innovation Award’ from BeautyMatter’s Next Awards.

 

She is a lover of hiking, horseback riding, tennis and exploring a growth mindset. 

Katrina Ramdath

Panelist

Owner, Core Sales Inc.

Katrina Ramdath, Ecopreneur, second-generation entrepreneur and Owner of Core Sales Inc., a Canadian family-run company specializing exclusively in certified compostable foodservice packaging.

 

Entrepreneurship was part of Katrina’s life from an early age. Her late father started Core Sales Inc., from the family basement, and officially joining the business after completing her studies. When her father passed away unexpectedly in 2012, Katrina stepped into leadership, navigating grief while learning to lead the company he had built.

 

Today, Katrina leads Core Sales into its 29th year, helping cafés, restaurants, distributors, agencies, and food brands transition from traditional plastics to practical compostable solutions. Her experience as a second-generation business owner has shaped her passion for resilience, sustainability, and supporting women entrepreneurs.

Robyn Flynn

Panel Moderator

Podcast Producer & Owner, Le Studio Quinze

Robyn Flynn is an award-winning media professional with more than 15 years of experience in radio, podcast production, content creation and social media marketing. She is the founder of Studio Quinze on Montreal’s South Shore, where she helps businesses, organizations and creators bring their ideas to life through audio, video and digital content.

 

A longtime broadcaster and experienced interviewer, Robyn brings a passion for storytelling, conversation and connecting with audiences across platforms.

chris mcmartin

opening remarks welcome

Business Banking National Lead, The Scotiabank Women Initiative®

Chris McMartin leads The Scotiabank Women Initiative Business Banking Strategy across Canada. Chris took on this role to help build and enhance a program that helps women overcome the challenges they face on their path to success when starting, sustaining, and growing a business. Chris loves to speak about women entrepreneurs and building impactful relationships; you may have had the opportunity to hear her on one of her podcast interviews or perhaps shared some laughs as she moderated an engaging panel.

 

Chris joined Scotiabank in 2008 as a Financial Advisor. In 2012 Chris progressed to the role of Business Banking Advisor where she found her passion for Business which she carried with her throughout her career to date.

 

Chris also has a passion for people which has led her to champion equity initiatives through many diversity, equity and inclusion roles within the bank. Outside of Scotiabank, Chris also sits on the Canadian Women Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board. Chris believes in the power of mentorship and participates as a mentor for StartUp Canada Women and Laurier Women Investment Society. Chris has been named 2025 Top 25 Women of Influence.

 

At home Chris leads another team; she is a mom of four. Chris has three young men and a young daughter that keep her on her toes. Chris loves being with her family especially if it is outdoors; add in a campfire and she is very happy!

SARAH STOCKDALE

Keynote Speaker

Founder & CEO, Growclass

Sarah Stockdale is the Founder and CEO of Growclass, an award-winning education company helping women and underrepresented professionals learn practical skills in marketing and AI to grow their careers. Growclass has a global alumni network of thousands of founders and marketers.

In her limited spare time, Sarah is also a Co-Host of Pagenerd, a popular scifi book club podcast.

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.