Nesreen is the Founder of WUD Chocolate and Gifts. Nesreen’s journey is one of passion, innovation, resilience and offers valuable lessons in caring and love, while giving back to community.  As a resilient refugee, a mother, and an entrepreneur, Nesreen has embedded a mission of giving back and supporting refugees into her business ..read more

Shrad Rao is the CEO and co-founder of Wagepoint – a simple payroll software built just for small businesses and backed by the world’s friendliest team. Wagepoint has grown to serve 25,000 small businesses in Canada paying about 200,000 teammates each month. Shrad jokes that building a company is like going to a ridiculously hard school – you are taught lessons every day and the only question is whether you learn them today or tomorrow ..read more

Fatima Zaidi is the Founder and CEO at Quill Inc., an award-winning production agency specializing in corporate audio, and CoHost, a podcast growth and analytics tool. With Quill, brands, businesses and people can tell their story through compelling audio.  ..read more

Athanasius “Tanas” Sylliboy, warmly self-proclaimed as “Your favourite auntie’s favourite auntie”, Anita LandBack, originates from the Eskasoni First Nation in Mi’kma’ki. As a devoted Two Spirit Lnu (Mi’kmaw) Nurse Practitioner and talented Drag Artist, Tanas/Anita is driven by a passion for fostering acceptance, visibility, and representation for marginalized communities. They masterfully balance their careers in nursing and drag to break down barriers and amplify the voices of Indigenous, Black, Asian, 2SLGBTQ+, and other underrepresented groups. Check out our Resource Guide for 2S ..read more

Martin Straathof is the Executive Director of the Ontario Farmland Trust, a conservation organization dedicated to the long-term protection of Ontario’s food producing landscapes. Martin displays their steadfast advocacy for sustainable agriculture by actively engaging with stakeholders and fostering partnerships to advance community-based solutions – including the diversification of both thought and representation across the industry’s workforce. Check out our Resource Guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ business owners, entrepreneurs and folks who want to create safer and more inclusive spaces ..read more

Judith Kasiama is the Founder and CEO of Colour The Trails, a collective of BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ adventure seekers who are radically amplifying the voices that are missing in this space. With a core belief that nature is for everyone, the company has initiated the participation of more than 750 equity-deserving individuals in backpacking, ice climbing, trail running, and more. The organization has also facilitated the certification of participants in things like Leave No Trace, Métis Plant Identification, Lead Climbing, and Avalanche Skills Training. Check out our Resource Guide for 2SLGBTQIA ..read more

At Ivy + Dean Consulting, Jacq Brasseur (CEO) and Risa Payant (COO) focus on providing support to small and medium-sized non-profits through an equity, social justice, and anti-oppression lens. Founded after experiencing a decade of difficulties finding consultants who shared Jacq’s values and approach to non-profit leadership, and who understood local realities in the Prairies and Northern Canada, the team is dedicated to redefining what is possible in consulting  across the country – all while being guided by queerness ..read more

Dedicated to getting more people outside, easily, Guita created Campertunity. Campertunity is an online marketplace where people can book a campsite on private land, nationwide. Campertunity is the first to bring camping to the shared economy in Canada.  While offering unique camping experiences, Campertunity builds community and helps sustain land. Promoting environmentally friendly travel, agri-tourism, and the maintenance of mental and physical health, Campertunity is fast growing with campers and picturesque campsites are joining the platform, every day ..read more

Pok Pok is an award-winning digital play company redefining how kids play and learn on devices. Melissa previously served as a Product Designer for The Walt Disney Company, was Head of Operations at renowned game studio Snowman and has led marketing and PR at start-ups both in Canada and Europe. She’s also an advocate and start-up mentor for women in tech and underrepresented founders.  ..read more

Cat Adalay is an experienced entrepreneur and business executive with a background in engineering, product design, and hardware development. This background was the perfect foundation to begin Aurea Technologies in 2017.  Rachel Carr joined Cat and Aurea when Cat was prototyping a wind energy system for residential applications. Together, Rachel and Cat saw an opportunity to scale down this innovation and this is when the Shine turbine began – a portable wind turbine that can fit in your backpack!    ..read more