Learning Blok 1 | 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm
Main Stage - Keynote: Lissa Appiah - Personal Branding for Business Growth
For me, business isn’t separate from my story, it is my story. When I started showing up on LinkedIn in 2021, I had no idea that building my personal brand would become the greatest leverage for my business.
What began with sharing my voice online has led to:
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50M+ post views and a thriving community of 60K+ followers
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Featured in LinkedIn News, Globe & Mail, CTV News, Fortune Magazine, and Rogers Daytime Ottawa
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Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice (2024), one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch (2022), and among the Top 20 LinkedIn Influencers in Canada (2025)
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400+ clients served and 100+ speaking engagements delivered
In this keynote, I’ll share how building my personal brand transformed not just my business, but my life. You’ll learn why your story is your most powerful business asset and walk away with practical steps to strengthen your brand, amplify your visibility, and open doors to clients, partnerships, and opportunities you didn’t think were possible.
Workshop A - Paula Hopkins - Starting a business: Strategies and Resources
Paula Hopkins is the Director of Entrepreneurship (SBEC) with Invest Ottawa.
She and her team provide programs and services directed at helping people start and/or grow their businesses. Paula has been with Invest Ottawa for over 12 years and has been supporting business owners and entrepreneurs for almost 20 years.
Personally, she has owned and operated 2 businesses, and continues to have an entrepreneurial spirit. Paula always takes great pleasure in helping people grow.
Workshop B - Panel discussion: Going from Side Hustle to Full-Time Entrepreneur
Leila Hojabri
Founder of Insurance and Financial Services | Desjardins
Originally from the Middle East, she holds a PhD in Chemistry. After immigrating to Sweden and then to Canada, she worked in her field for some time. However, she eventually realized that she wanted to pursue a career that brought her fulfillment and happiness. She started selling candles as a side business, which led her to discover her passion for working with people and helping them plan for their futures. Gradually, she transitioned into the insurance and financial services sector and ultimately became the full-time owner of a Financial Agency with Desjardins.
Anastasiia Kulikova
Founder, Ladies Space Dance Studio Ottawa | Choreographer | Entrepreneur
Originally from Ukraine, Anastasiia Kulikova arrived in Canada at the end of 2022 with her young son, little money, and no English. A lifelong dancer, teacher, and choreographer, Anastasiia had also run a marketing agency in Ukraine with her husband. When she settled in Ottawa, she decided to combine both passions — dance and marketing — by launching her own dance classes and promoting them through the skills she already knew best.
Within just three months, Anastasiia had built a community of 40 students. Two years later, she reached $100,000 in annual revenue, and today she proudly operates her own dance studio in downtown Ottawa, generating over $100,000 a year.
Anastasiia credits her success to the combination of a strong product, business discipline, and a solid marketing foundation. She is passionate about helping other immigrants realize their potential and grow their businesses in Canada through creativity, strategy, and perseverance
Ruth Aliu
Founder, Techity Consulting | Cybersecurity Expert | Entrepreneur
Originally from Nigeria, Ruth Aliu is a cybersecurity expert and entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience in technology support and cybersecurity operations. After building a successful career in the tech sector, Ruth experienced a company layoff in 2021 that became the catalyst for her next chapter — starting her own business. She saw the transition not as a setback, but as an opportunity to use her skills to empower others.
Today, Ruth helps coaches, consultants, and eCommerce business owners leverage technology to streamline operations, scale efficiently, and reduce the overwhelm that often comes with managing multiple systems. She combines technical expertise with strategic insight, helping clients implement secure, scalable, and efficient tech solutions.
Ruth is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs, particularly women-led businesses, by providing practical tools to strengthen their digital confidence and cybersecurity foundations.
Her work has been featured by Invest Ottawa, Digital Main Street, Black Professionals in Tech Network, CanadianSME Magazine, and CIRA. She also contributes to the broader tech community as a Board Member of the Cybersecurity Global Alliance.
Bukola Ajilore
Founder, Legend Trailblazers | Co-founder, Grey Matlock Bakery | Leadership Coach
Bukola Ajilore is a certified leadership coach, co-owner of Grey Matlock Bakery in Ottawa, and founder of Legend Trailblazers, a women’s empowerment and prayer movement. She helps female entrepreneurs in their 20s to 40s balance faith, family, and business while growing businesses that are both profitable and purposeful. She is a certified coach with the John Maxwell and Les Brown leadership teams, and a member of The Baking Association of Canada.
Bukola guides part-time and full-time entrepreneurs who feel overwhelmed or unsure of their direction to find clarity, structure, and confidence in their calling.
Panel Discussion moderated by Sowmya Rajasekaran
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted life in March 2020, it reshaped our world and how we connect with one another. In response, Sowmya began reaching out to people in her community—not just to check in, but to foster meaningful connections during a time of isolation while addressing the disproportionate impacts on Women. These heartfelt conversations sparked the creation of #BuildUpWomen Series, which later evolved into the #BuildUp Series and most recently, The #Unfiltered Podcast.
A passionate advocate for inclusion and women's empowerment, Sowmya champions intentional inclusion and social impact in everything she does. For her, community and connection aren't just values—they're the driving force behind her work and the inspiration for her initiatives. Through her platforms, she continues to amplify voices, build bridges, and create space for an open and transformative dialogue.
Learning Blok 2 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Workshop A - Sheena Brady - Creating Power Partnerships & Community Impact Through Your Business
Sheena Brady is the founder of Tease, a certified B-Corp that meets the intersection of wellness & beauty with flavour and function-filled tea blends and aligned self-care essentials. Having created the world’s first fully biodegradable and refillable tea collection, Sheena is setting a new standard for sustainability in the wellness industry.
With products available in over 700 online & retail locations across Canada and the US, including Whole Foods, QVC, Indigo, Well.ca and The Detox Market, Tease continues to redefine your everyday beauty & wellness rituals one sip at a time.
Join us for an insightful workshop led by Sheena Brady, founder and CEO of Tease Wellness, tailored for established entrepreneurs looking to enhance their growth through strategic partnerships and community engagement. This session will provide you with valuable insights and actionable strategies to elevate your business.
What You Will Learn:
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The Power of Collaboration: Discover how forming partnerships can unlock new markets and drive business expansion.
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The Importance of Community Impact: Understand why making a positive impact on your community is crucial and how integrating this into your brand can lead to sustainable growth.
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Practical Takeaways: Walk away with practical tips and strategies that you can implement in your own business immediately.
This workshop is an opportunity to learn from an expert, network with like-minded entrepreneurs, and gain the tools necessary to foster meaningful partnerships and community connections. Don’t miss out on the chance to transform your business approach!
Workshop B - Aya Shalak - Networking with Confidence for Business
Aya Shalak is not only the host of the ROOTS podcast but also an experienced facilitator who has hosted TEDx events, fundraisers, and community forums. Her unique ability to engage audiences with authenticity and meaningful dialogue sets the stage for a transformative learning experience.
Aya has served on multiple boards supporting women and gender-based violence initiatives, reflecting her commitment to social justice. Her work extends beyond Canada, collaborating with organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme and the Norwegian Refugee Council on humanitarian and community projects.
Through her coaching and speaking engagements, Aya empowers women to take up space, overcome barriers, and lead authentically in their personal and professional lives.
In this interactive workshop, "Networking with Confidence for Business," participants will learn essential networking skills tailored specifically for immigrant women entrepreneurs. Aya will guide attendees through practical strategies to build meaningful connections, enhance their professional presence, and cultivate authentic relationships in various business environments.
Key Objectives
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Understand the Importance of Networking: Explore how networking can open doors to new opportunities, partnerships, and resources that are vital for business growth.
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Build Confidence in Group Settings: Learn techniques to overcome anxiety and self-doubt when interacting with others, ensuring that every participant feels empowered to share their voice and ideas.
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Develop Effective Communication Skills: Gain insights into effective communication strategies that foster engagement and connection, helping participants articulate their value propositions clearly.
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Create a Supportive Community: Engage in activities designed to build trust and camaraderie among participants, fostering a supportive network that extends beyond the workshop.
Main Stage - Panel: "Trailblazers: Immigrant Women Shaping Canada’s Business Landscape”
Trailblazers: Immigrant Women Shaping Canada’s Business Landscape brings together four exceptional immigrant women who are redefining leadership, influence and possibility across some of Canada’s most competitive industries. These founders have carved out space in sectors where immigrant women are rarely seen, and have done so with vision, courage and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
This conversation will explore how they entered and succeeded in fields such as land development, finance, healthcare and creative food manufacturing. They will share their origin stories, the barriers they faced, the stereotypes they broke and the leadership lessons they learned along the way.
The goal of this panel is to help immigrant and newcomer women in the audience see themselves reflected in powerful leaders, expand their sense of what is possible and walk away feeling inspired, capable and supported. It is a celebration of identity, resilience and the tremendous impact immigrant women are making on Canada’s business landscape.
Carina Guzmán
Founder, Creative Dev Ventures | Land Developer | Coach
Originally from El Salvador, Carina Guzmán immigrated to Canada at the age of eight, bringing with her a deep appreciation for resilience, community, and opportunity. Today, she is a respected land developer, coach, wife, and mother with over 15 years of experience in land development.
Her work spans transit-oriented projects and medium to large subdivisions, each guided by a vision of building purposeful, connected communities. As the founder of Creative Dev Ventures, a purpose-driven company, Carina leads with integrity and creativity, ensuring every project contributes meaningfully to the places people call home.
Through her Land Development Academy, Carina mentors both aspiring and experienced developers, offering a practical and empowering approach that blends real-world experience with innovation. Her mission is to inspire and equip others to grow in the real estate development space, build lasting wealth, and contribute to sustainable, thriving communities.
Cherry Chan
Founder of Real Estate Tax Tips and owner of OTUS Financial Solutions
Cherry Chan, CPA, CA, CAE, founder of Real Estate Tax Tips and owner of OTUS Financial Solutions, was born and raised in Hong Kong and immigrated to Canada in 1999 to complete high school and university. After earning her Master’s degree from the University of Waterloo and beginning her career at Deloitte, she discovered her passion for helping others achieve financial independence.
In 2014, the same year she gave birth to her daughter, Cherry launched Real Estate Tax Tips to simplify tax and money management for property investors and small business owners. Nearly a decade later, she expanded that mission by acquiring OTUS Financial Solutions, a firm that helps nonprofits build stronger financial foundations and long-term sustainability.
Cherry believes that financial confidence changes everything—for individuals, families, and communities. Through her work, she continues to champion financial independence as a form of empowerment, helping people and organizations take control of their future with clarity and purpose.
Mona Kalra
Co-founder, MapleCare Physiotherapy
Mona Kalra is an accomplished physiotherapist, entrepreneur, and Co-founder of MapleCare Physiotherapy in Ottawa. With over 30 years of experience in orthopedic, geriatric, and neurological rehabilitation, she works extensively in stroke recovery, Parkinson’s, balance, and aging-in-place care.
After moving to Canada from India in 2002, Mona combined her clinical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to establish MapleCare Physiotherapy in 2012—now a center of excellence in neurological and senior rehabilitation, with three clinics, innovative rehab programs, and a home-visit service making a real difference in people’s lives.
In recognition of her leadership and community impact, Mona was the recipient of the City of Ottawa’s Immigrant Entrepreneur Award in 2014.
Beyond her clinics, she is deeply engaged in community education and outreach, leading programs that promote awareness about stroke, Parkinson’s, and fall prevention. A mentor, educator and advocate for neuroplasticity and lifelong learning, Mona’s journey reflects how purpose, resilience, and vision can transform healthcare and community well-being.
Liz Mok
Founder, Moo Shu Ice Cream
Liz Mok is originally from Hong Kong. She is the Founder of Moo Shu Ice Cream, a creative and beloved Ottawa brand known for its small-batch, culturally inspired flavours. She is a leader in the local food and creative manufacturing space, and an example of innovation grounded in identity and artistry.
Panel moderated by Karla Briones
Entrepreneur, Advisor and Facilitator
Karla Briones is an award-winning Mexican-Canadian entrepreneur and business advisor who has made it her mission to help others build and belong.
As founder of Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada and KB Consulting, she has empowered thousands of immigrant, Indigenous, and other underrepresented entrepreneurs through culturally responsive programs delivered across the country.
A TEDx speaker, Top 25 Canadian Immigrant, and Ottawa Citizen columnist, Karla combines hands-on business experience with deep community insight to help close the gaps in Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Documentary screening & fireside chat | 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Main Stage - Documentary "How She Dares" followed by fireside chat with Zoonie Nguyen
Zoonie Nguyen is a Vietnamese-Canadian entrepreneur, speaker, and coach whose resilience took her from war refugee to McGill-trained engineer and project manager at CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).
She founded Talentelle in 2006 to empower women professionals and entrepreneurs through dynamic workshops and bilingual coaching, helping them grow their businesses and communicate authentically.
Fluent in English, French, and Vietnamese, Zoonie inspires women to lead confidently and bridges cultures. Zoonie is the executive producer and co-director of the How She Dares documentary, a movie-to-movement that shines a light on the journeys of courageous women entrepreneurs in Canada and Vietnam.
Through this film and her ongoing work as Quebec Ambassador for WEDO (Women Entrepreneurship Day Organization) Canada, she is building a global movement to celebrate, connect, and uplift women leaders.
Zoonie’s story—from surviving the Vietnam War to reinventing herself as a “social engineer”—continues to inspire future generations to embrace their identities, overcome barriers, and lead boldly.
Her mission: to ignite confidence and courage in women everywhere, helping them become the stars of their own lives.
Fireside moderated by Nickie Shobeiry
Nickie Shobeiry is an award-winning journalist, documentary filmmaker, and communications professional, and a second-generation Iranian sharing stories of joy from her culture.
She has produced acclaimed documentaries for Bell and CBC and is a fellow of the Netflix-Banff Diversity of Voices program. Her most recent CBC Creator Network short doc, ‘Good Nose’—her directorial debut and an RTDNA broadcast journalism award winner—features subjects including Samin Nosrat, NYT best-selling author and creator of Netflix’s ‘Salt Fat Acid Heat’.
Nickie’s upcoming Bell Fibe TV1 docu-series, Persian Pitch, features collaborators from Red Bull Canada, Live Nation Middle East, and OVO Sound.
As a journalist, she covers business and culture for outlets like The Globe and Mail and CBC. As a communications consultant, her clients span sectors including tech, healthcare, and philanthropy.
Her throughline? Using storytelling excellence for good.
