Meet the HerStory 2023 Finalists
After vetting dozens of applications from incredible entrepreneurs across Canada, it's official: meet the 30 women selected to participate in the HerStory 2023 Story-Pitch Competition!
On Friday, June 2, 2023, these female founders/co-founders will tell a panel of Capital Champions about who they are, how they came to their idea, and why investing in them will bring innovation, value, and impact to their industry and to the future of more equitable access to Canadian capital.
… All this in 4 minutes for multiple opportunities to attract up to $51,000* in investment!
Drum roll, please. 🥁 The finalists of HerStory 2023, in alphabetical order by first name, are:
Aamna Zia, Co-Founder and CEO of Fuse Financial
Calgary, AB
Aamna Zia is the Co-Founder and CEO of Fuse Financial, a platform that brings together banking, payments, and financial tools to help small business owners grow their business. Aamna has a wealth of experience in growing businesses, having previously served as a founding employee and VP of Operations and Finance at a cybersecurity startup. There, she was responsible for sales growth from $100K to over $1 million, while also raising over $3 million. Aamna holds a Chartered Professional Accountant designation. When she is not working, she enjoys her time hiking in the mountains, performing at open mics, and empowering women and visible minorities.
Aki Kaltenbach, Founder and CEO of Save Da Sea
Victoria, BC
Aki Kaltenbach is the founder of Save Da Sea, a plant-based seafood company based in Victoria, B.C. making delicious products from wholesome ingredients. They are first to market with fresh, refrigerated plant-based seafood products and are available in 700+ retailers across Canada including Sobeys, Whole Foods, and Save On Foods. Having proven traction in Canada, they're now raising $500k to support their launch in the US later this year.
Alicia Nahmad Vazquez, Founder and CEO of MI Toolbox
Calgary, AB
Alicia Nahmad is an architect with a passion for robotics and digital fabrication, a strong believer that robotics can augment human craft and that human-robot collaboration is the future of the construction industry. Alicia is the CEO and Founder of MI Toolbox and The Circular Factory (CF), two startups that focus on democratising the construction industry and future proofing the trades through enabling equal access to digital machines and tools. As a research-based practising architect, for the last 12 years, she has been engaged with the digitization of building trades and adapting advanced digital design and robotic fabrication methods to incorporate the wisdom and craft of traditional building cultures. Her projects include the construction of the award-winning ‘Knit-Candela’ and diverse collaborations with practice and academic institutions. She holds a PhD from Cardiff University and a MArch from the AADRL.
Her work focuses on exploring design through integrating materials, local skills and cutting-edge design and digital fabrication technologies, such as machine learning and robotics—in relation to context-specific environments. She has developed workflows for human-robot collaboration in the design and construction process that engage with local communities. Also an academic, Alicia works as an assistant professor at the University of Calgary SAPL, co-directs the Laboratory for Integrative Design, and for the past 5 years has worked as studio master at the AADRL. Her work has been published in numerous conferences and journals, and she has lectured internationally on related topics.
Amy Puzey, Founder and CEO of Goodphyte
Calgary, AB
Amy began her education in nursing at the University of Alberta, and a few years into her degree, she realized she wanted to work on the preventative side of healthcare, so she switched to study nutrition. She became a holistic nutritionist in 2005, and after working in that field for eight years, she became CEO and National Race director of 5Peaks in 2013 and took the Canadian trail running community to the next level. She sold 5Peaks in 2021 so she could fully dedicate herself to Goodphyte. She is a mother of four and has competed nationally and internationally for the Canadian Mountain Running team.
Anastasia Kiku, Co-Founder and COO of Reusables.com
Vancouver, BC
Anastasia is a driven young female founder committed to creating a world where no resources are wasted. Her passion emerges at the intersection of efficiency and sustainability, both of which she has been introduced to in university. Through studying Operations & Logistics at the Sauder School of Business, Anastasia realized the opportunity to build more sustainable systems by maximizing the use of existing resources instead of extracting virgin materials. As an immigrant, Anastasia brings a global perspective and is not afraid of stepping outside her comfort zone to go big. Her background as a professional alpine ski racer has taught her discipline and the self-motivation required to have success as an entrepreneur. In her spare time, you’ll find Anastasia in the mountains.
Anjum Mullick, Chief Operating and Sustainability Officer of Common Good Mining Corp.
Edmonton, AB
Anjum Mullick is an environmental engineer and senior leader with nearly twenty-five years of cross-functional experience in the private, public, and start-up sectors. Having grown up in small mining towns across Canada, and later working in the resource extraction industry, Anjum experienced firsthand the environmental and social impacts of mining. This is what drew her to her latest role as the Chief Operating and Sustainability Officer with Common Good Mining, a sustainable, junior mining company focused on critical minerals. Anjum is passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion. She has been recognized for her advocacy by being awarded the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta Summit Award for the Women in Engineering and Geoscience Champion, and the Stars of Alberta Award for Breaking Barriers in Gender Diversity.
Anne Hunger, Co-Founder and CPO of Glüxkind
Vancouver, BC
Anne Hunger is an entrepreneur and product innovator who co-founded Glüxkind Technologies, a Vancouver-based startup that is revolutionising pedestrian mobility. As Chief Product Officer, Anne's vision and deep understanding of user needs have been instrumental in creating the award winning smart baby stroller "Ella", which delivers unparalleled safety and convenience for urban parents. As an engineer by education, her passion for developing technology applications that seamlessly fit into modern lifestyles. Her achievements include completing the prestigious MIT Sandbox and NEXT AI programs, receiving the CES Innovation Award as well as being a speaker at the United Nation’s Conference AI for Good.
Azrah Manji-Savin, Co-Founder and CEO of Syzl
Calgary, AB
Azrah Manji-Savin is the CEO & Co-Founder of the kitchen marketplace app Syzl, which enables gig economy food entrepreneurs and chefs to access safe and flexible kitchen space. As a second-generation immigrant, Azrah believes in food as a tie to one’s origin and a way to share culture with the world. Before starting Syzl, Azrah was employee #1 for WeWork’s Alberta territory and previously launched WeWork Toronto’s first all-enterprise offerings. Previous positions include VP of Innovation at Durum Capital, Sales at LinkedIn and Artist Services at Warner Music Group (WMG). Azrah is passionate about developing opportunities for newly landed immigrants and giving back to the community and holds board positions on the Aga Khan Youth & Sports Board for Canada as well as the Calgary International Film Festival. Azrah holds a Master in Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a BA from the University of Toronto. When she’s not helping food makers achieve their dreams, you can find Azrah trying out the newest restaurants and constantly with a book on the go.
Dr. Carly Crewe, Founder and CEO of Eunoia Medical
Calgary, AB
Dr. Carly Crewe is a rural family physician and the CEO and owner of Eunoia Medical, an innovative and dynamic virtual clinic that provides comprehensive treatment of mental health disorders in women by an extraordinary team of female family doctors. Carly is passionate about advancing women’s mental health care and reducing the stigma and accessibility issues that prevent women from getting the mental health support they need. After the birth of her twins in 2016, Carly suffered a postpartum mood disorder and experienced first-hand the challenges of our fragmented mental healthcare system. Informed by both personal and professional experience, Carly used her unique insights to create an accessible, personalized and gender-focused solution to meet women where they are and provide a range of treatment options for common mental health concerns. Aside from practicing full scope rural medicine in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Carly is also a corporate consultant, bestselling author and mental health content creator for online publications and organizations such as LifeSpeak.
Chelsee Pettit, Founder of aaniin retail inc.
Toronto, ON
Chelsee Pettit, an inspiring leader and mentor, embodies the values of collaboration, connection, and community. Through her work at Aaniin Retail Inc., she showcases diverse Indigenous designers, supporting collaboration within the Indigenous community. Her platform fosters connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, promoting understanding and unity. Chelsee's dedication to community empowerment paves the way for a bright and thriving future for Indigenous communities.
Cheryl LeBarr, Co-Founder of MADE Apparel Inc
Vancouver, BC
Cheryl LeBarr is a dynamic entrepreneur and outdoor enthusiast who seamlessly merges her love for quality, nature, and adventure in her business ventures. In 2020, she co-founded MADE Custom Apparel alongside two visionary partners, driven by her dream of fostering a more inclusive and sustainable outdoor industry. With her exceptional skills as a technical outdoor wizard and expertise in manufacturing and supply chain management, Cheryl has been instrumental in launching a company that disrupts the status quo of the outdoor industry. MADE Custom Apparel specializes in custom-made outdoor clothing, offering a unique and personalized experience to outdoor enthusiasts. From her early days working at an outdoor shop in her hometown on the Sunshine Coast of B.C., Canada, to her extensive experience developing products for renowned brands like Arc'teryx in Vancouver, Cheryl has always exhibited a fresh and innovative vision. Her entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering commitment to inclusivity have set her apart in an industry that often follows a predetermined path. Cheryl's approach to business goes beyond conventional boundaries. She recognizes the importance of creating an experience that caters to every outdoor lover, including those who have been overlooked by larger brands. Her out-of-the-box thinking has paved the way for the manufacturing of complex products that embrace an expansive range of body types and gender identities—an essential step in making the outdoor industry more diverse and accessible. Through MADE Custom Apparel, Cheryl continues to challenge norms and redefine the possibilities of outdoor gear. Her passion for crafting high-quality products that cater to individual needs is evident in every aspect of her work. By combining her technical expertise, commitment to sustainability, and dedication to inclusivity, Cheryl is reshaping the outdoor industry and empowering outdoor enthusiasts to embrace their unique journeys. Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, Cheryl finds joy in immersing herself in nature and indulging in her favorite pastime—skiing. These personal passions infuse her work with a deep appreciation for the natural world and an unwavering dedication to preserving its beauty. Cheryl LeBarr's entrepreneurial journey exemplifies the power of innovation, inclusivity, and a resolute commitment to quality. She continues to forge her path, making a lasting impact on the outdoor industry while inspiring others to embrace their own authentic outdoor experiences.
Gillian Damborg, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Brood
Vancouver, BC
Gillian is an award-winning brand and creative director, specializing in brand development, digital and print marketing strategies, creative services, leadership and operations. She has over 13+ years experience building and leading teams for high profile brands and fast paced start ups in a cross section of industries and organizations such as lululemon athletica, Luvo Inc., Capilano University and Lush Cosmetics. She has deep knowledge and experience with celebrity partnerships and brand ambassador programs, including working with athletes Derek Jeter, Russell Wilson and Natalie Coughlin. Gillian welcomed her first child in the first month of lockdown during the pandemic in April 2020, with Emma at her side. She credits being alive because of the support she received from Emma, and is dedicated to helping people understand the deep work and care that is needed to keep birthing people and families healthy and happy(er). Her combined experience in the creative and marketing sectors as well as education and certification programs is a huge asset to the Brood Care team. At Brood, she leads the marketing, creative, brand and business development, bringing her lived expertise as a queer parent, and passion for reproductive health to the table.
Hoda Soboh, Co-Founder and CEO of Nyah Health
Edmonton, AB
A combined 25+ years in business, both in the corporate space as well as a successful entrepreneur, has led Hoda to this point in her life and her career to proudly declare herself an innovative disrupter! Hoda relishes in the growing influence and position of women in business, because it’s about damn time! As CEO of the femtech startup Nyah Health, she is privileged to be working alongside an exceptional team of co-founding women to deliver the first full suite virtual menopause health platform to the over 5 million Canadian women in menopause today.
Hoda is pumped for this journey, having recently sold a successful software company, Intellimedia, that she co-founded and co-built. During her 15+ years at Ceridian Canada, she held a number of executive positions in Quality, Strategy, Customer Experience, and Account Management. Never letting the glass ceiling keep her down, it took much determination and grit to work her way up, eventually leading a global strategy to transform the customer experience. With her ever useful BA in political science (which comes in handy when needing to discuss the theory of Liberalism), and her myriad of experiences, Hoda has learned that excellence takes work, innovation means taking risks, and success is addicting!
Jamie Samhan, Co-Founder and CEO of Hop Wellness
Vancouver, BC
With more than a decade of experience in media, including holding prestigious positions such as managing editor and royal correspondent for ET Canada, Jamie possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the industry. Following a period of burnout, she recognized the need for a practical wellness routine but struggled to find one. This challenge led her to create Hop (Health Optimization Program), which seeks to transform the wellness sector for others like herself. Jamie's visionary initiative promises to revolutionize the way women approach their health and well-being.
Karen Gosbee, Founder of Under3
Calgary, AB
Karen is a dedicated community leader committed to advancing systemic changes in mental health. Having been exposed to mental health, substance misuse, and domestic violence both in her childhood and adult life, she decided to share her own lived experiences. She came forward for two reasons: to minimize the shame and stigma associated with these all too common experiences and to address the lack of resources and coordinated services in a time of need. Karen along with her children established The Gosbee Family Foundation, a registered charitable organization that provides information, access and referral services to anyone experiencing mental health issues. She is the author of a best seller book titled: A Perfect Nightmare: My Glittering Marriage and How It Almost Cost Me My Life.
Karen Ngo, Co-Founder and COO of CO2Brew
Calgary, AB
Karen is the COO & Co-founder of CO2brew. Inspired by her parents who immigrated to Canada as refugees, she works extra hard to give back to her parents and the community. She is a chemical engineer and has a strong interest in addressing climate change through carbon capture and utilization. Using her project management skills and process engineering background, she co-founded CO2Brew to offer a CO2 recovery system specifically designed for craft breweries to reduce their GHG emissions, while ensuring a self-sufficient supply of beverage grade CO2.
Kelise Williams, Founder of UpRow
Edmonton, AB
With more than 10 years of experience in tech sales, entrepreneurship, and marketing, Kelise is a proven leader with a track record of driving revenue and growth. Her innovative strategies and entrepreneurial spirit have earned her numerous awards and accolades, including being named among the top 20 startups in Edmonton in the Startup TNT Investment Summit and winning the BIPOC Women in Tech Pitch Competition. Kelise is also a featured speaker at the Caribbean Tech Summit 2023. Before founding UpRow, Kelise worked in the security industry as a polygraph examiner for 6 years, where she gained valuable experience in relationship management, customer psychology, and conflict resolution. Her entrepreneurial journey began with the launch of a successful e-commerce store, where she honed her skills in branding, digital marketing, and e-commerce strategy. Kelise holds a Master's degree in Environmental Science and Management. She is a sought-after speaker and mentor, regularly sharing her insights and experiences with aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders. Kelise is a true visionary who is constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible and driving innovation to solve real-world problems. Her leadership and entrepreneurial spirit are an inspiration to all who work with her.
Kristi Stuart, Founder of Inner Wellth
Calgary, AB
Kristi Stuart is an award-winning entrepreneur. She grew her first business to become one of the 5% of female founded companies that had multi-million-dollar revenues and became Canada’s largest female founded and owned fitness brand. Unfortunately, Covid forced an extreme pivot of both her business and her personal life. In Feb 2022, Kristi launched a personal training business which expanded to include nutrition counselling and in April 2023 she pre-launched her female focused Amino Acid supplement line, Inner Wellth. Kristi is a highly respected and trusted nutrition and fitness expert, has a BSc in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, is Certified in both Personal Training and Nutrition Coaching from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and will be a Certified Menopause Support Practitioner by Fall 2023. In her very limited spare time, Kristi enjoys walking her dogs, relaxing with her husband and hanging out with her two teenage children (when they let her)!
Laura MacNiven, Co-Founder of Springboard Clinic
Toronto, ON
Laura co-founded Springboard Clinic 14+ years ago with an intention to transform the world’s acceptance of diverse ways of thinking and ensure everyone with ADHD has a chance to be the best they can be. In her current role, she draws on her professional and personal experience to offer inspiration and support to the ADHD community in a myriad of ways: coaching clients on their journeys with attention issues; sharing her insights through books, blog content and online courses; and developing innovative resources in the ADHD field. She is passionate about making Springboard’s personalized, strengths-based resources more accessible through workshops, professional training and the creation of customized health care technology: “By taking the time and space to slow down and connect without judgement, we make the world more accepting of neurodiverse thinkers, which in turn opens the door for more creative solutions. By reducing stigma and building compassion, we can rise as a community.”
Lee St James, Founder and President of Social Robots Inc.
Regina, SK
Lee St James has an Honors Business degree from Western University (London, Ontario) and an MBA from INSEAD (Fontainebleau, France). As a tech-savvy consultant and entrepreneur with over 25 years of business experience, Lee was most recently the General Manager and Vice-President of a design studio that developed robot apps for banking and automotive. Her career path took an unexpected turn in 2019 after her father was diagnosed with Lewy-Body dementia. After seeing first-hand the impact of social isolation on her father and the staffing challenges faced by the assisted living sector, she realized that the robots that were being used in other industries could be adapted to help older adults and their caregivers. She incorporated Social Robots in November 2019 just a few weeks after her father’s death. Her vision is to see at least one social robot in every retirement home and long-term care facility in North America by 2032, to support caregivers and increase the cognitive and mental well-being of over 5 million older adults.
Leilani Mustillo, Co-Founder and CEO of Animal HealthLink
Calgary, AB
Originally from Calgary, Leilani has been caring for animals as a Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT) for the past 15 years, working in specialty and emergency medicine in both nursing and management roles. Her love for mentoring and training new veterinary professionals led her to spend 9 years as a College Instructor in the Animal Health Department. Leilani is committed to sustainability of the veterinary profession and advancement of RVTs and in October of 2020, she became CEO and Co-Founder of Animal HealthLink, a veterinary telehealth company created to relieve the extreme pressure veterinary staff are facing and in turn promote sustainability of veterinary practices and improve patient access to care. Since launching her business, Leilani continues to make significant contributions to the veterinary community by driving innovation and positively impacting the veterinary profession as a whole. Leilani is an active Board Member of the Canadian Veterinary Virtual Care Association (CVVCA), a non-profit organization which supports the advancement of virtual care through the creation of standards of care & best practices and education of the veterinary community and the public. In addition, Leilani is Council Member for the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA), a regulatory body that ensures the highest standards of veterinary practice in the province. Through her involvement in these organizations, she has demonstrated her dedication to staying informed about industry trends, advocating for animal welfare, and promoting the highest standards of veterinary care.
Liz MacRae, Co-Founder of Village Wellth
Calgary, AB
Hailing from the East Coast of Canada, “support local” was engrained in Liz from an early age. Raised in an entrepreneurial family she watched her father work from their basement managing the sales and shipments of PEI potatoes to grocery chains throughout the Caribbean with nothing more than a fax machine and a landline. When Liz realized she wanted to pursue the entrepreneurial path she and her husband bought an early-stage franchise in 2012 which they sold in 2017. What stuck with her was the tumultuous experience of selling the franchise, as she learned how challenging the process was to grow and sell a business. In hindsight they should have bought an existing business… Today, Liz is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor & Co-Founder of the Calgary based fintech startup: Village Wellth, an acquisition management platform designed to help people buy businesses. She has acquired and exited 2 companies over the past 10 years. From these experiences Village Wellth was born to help more people access the world of acquisitions and help them buy great businesses. Liz is an active speaker on the topic of Exit Planning and Acquisitions. She has spoken to groups with EO, ATB, TEC-Canada, Community Futures, Chamber of Commerce, Business Link, John Molson School of Business (Concordia), and commonly guest spots for various business podcasts. She is a member of good standing with the Exit Planning Institute and is co-President of the Calgary M & A Club.
Nina Kharey, Founder and CEO of Folds Wear Inc.
Calgary, AB
Born in 1983 to Indian immigrant parents, Nina Kharey is a Canadian fashion designer and founder of the luxury line NONIE. Kharey was surrounded by textiles from an early age. Her father managed a knitting factory and her mother was a menswear seamstress. She was fascinated by how an artistic design transitions from the drawing board to a tangible article of clothing. She received a degree in Engineering from the University of Calgary. Following the violent death of her older brother in 2005, Kharey left her professional career and launched House of Nonie to find peace. Kharey is known for designing relaxed silhouettes and refined basics with an emphasis on effortless style. Her work is influenced by minimalism and East Asian attire. She was mentored by the award-winning fashion visionary, Barbara Atkin. In 2017 and 2019, Kharey was nominated for the Swarovski Canadian Arts and Fashion Emerging Designer of the Year Award. Her client list includes prominent personalities including the wife of the Canadian Prime Minister. In July 2018, HRH The Duchess of Sussex wore NONIE to the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition in London. In 2020, at the wake of the Covid19 pandemic, Kharey retooled her business and started making medical masks for nurses and the public. During this time, she also started working with tech labs to create scrubs for frontline workers that are protective, functional, and also comfortable. In Jan 2021, she launched her innovative medical garment company, Folds Wear Inc.—delivering athletic antiviral scrubs made from post-consumer plastic and are fully recyclable. In Mar 2021, Kharey, for Folds, was selected as a 2021 Canadian Coralus (formerly known as SheEO) venture. In Aug 2022, Folds was nominated for the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards Innovation award (CAFA). In April 2023, Folds received the Innovation in Fashion Award from Canadian Business.
Prasanthi Naidoo, Founder and CEO of Joberfer.com
Calgary, AB
Prasanthi Naidoo is a professionally trained Chartered Accountant and started off her career in Durban South where she was born and raised. Soon after completing her training contract in Durban, she moved to Dublin, Ireland, where she worked at PricewaterHouse Coopers. Prasanthi completed the global ACCA qualification and was placed 3rd in Ireland and 14th in the world for her final qualifying exams. She was headhunted and joined Investec Ireland, where she worked for 5 years before relocating to Calgary, AB, Canada. Coming to Canada presented Prasanthi with the opportunity to explore her entrepreneurial passion. She created and built 2 successful startup companies to date and is currently working on her third inspired innovation with Joberfer.com. Prasanthi also believes passionately about giving back and helping underserved communities. Through her second startup HealthJobHub Ltd, she was able to work with the Tsemba Foundation in South Africa to help attract international doctors to volunteer their time in some of the most underserved rural communities in South Africa. During Covid she opened up the platform on HealthJobHub.com completely free of charge and worked with health authorities in Canada, such as Health Force Ontario and Vancouver Coastal Health, to connect healthcare workers looking to serve during the pandemic. Her latest social impact initiative is a collaboration she is working on with the South African Ambassador to Ireland on an initiative to help marginalized South African Female youth connect to tertiary education opportunities in Ireland via scholarship programs.
Roya Aghighi, CEO of Lite-1
Vancouver, BC
Roya Aghighi is a versatile biodesigner who seamlessly merges her multidisciplinary background in design and scientific expertise to tackle complex challenges from a unique standpoint. Designer by degree and trained as a scientist by prominent experts in Canada & Europe, provides Roya with a solid foundation in scientific methodologies, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Roya's journey began with a passion for changing the world through design thinking and offering solutions to immediate problems of the time, however, her insatiable curiosity and desire to explore the world beyond design led her to embark on a remarkable scientific path. Through her rigorous training, Roya acquired an in-depth understanding of scientific principles and methodologies. This multidisciplinary education equipped her with a diverse range of analytical tools and techniques, fostering a remarkable ability to think critically and approach problems from various angles. She has substantial experience in developing innovative sustainable biomaterials using microorganisms through her two Industrial Design degrees from Iran University of Science and Technology and Emily Carr University of Art and Design in academic research collaborations with institutions including UBC and TU Delft. Roya’s experience working from inside the industry has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the pathways to implement material innovations into existing industry processes meeting industry’s sustainability goals. Her interdisciplinary mindset allows her to bridge the gap between creativity and analytical thinking. By integrating her design expertise with scientific knowledge, she effortlessly identifies connections and patterns that others may overlook. This unique perspective enables her to lead internationally recognized research projects and uncover breakthrough insights and drive advancements in both fields. Roya's footprint is widely recognized and celebrated in several conferences and prestigious awards such as Dezeen, Core 77, AZ Awards, and Premier 19. Her work has been exhibited internationally and one of her projects sits in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art Vienna, Austria. She fearlessly explores uncharted territories, pushing boundaries and challenging conventional thinking. Roya is a true advocate for the integration of design and science, harnessing their combined power to address complex problems of the era.
Sujala Balaji, Founder and CEO of Rainfed Foods
Toronto, ON
Sujala is an engineer and food scientist turned entrepreneur with 15 plus years of experience in the food and dairy industry leading innovation and product commercialization for companies of all sizes. Deeply passionate about addressing climate change through the creation of biodiverse and regenerative food systems, she founded Rainfed Foods in 2020. Rainfed is the world's first foodtech startup focused on transforming underutilised climate-resilient crops like millets and sorghum into alternative proteins and food ingredients using a proprietary technology platform. Sujala is an active thought leader in the emerging alternative protein sector and is an honoree of "Women Building the Future of Food.”
Sumathi Pundit, Founder and CEO of Kaitongo
Toronto, ON
Sumathi Pundit, CEO & Co-founder of Kaitongo, is a committed, passionate serial entrepreneur. Kaitongo is her third business solving the problem of collecting, refining and delivering high-quality business intelligence in a format that is actionable to its users. Sumathi started her career as an engineer but sooner discovered that solving business problems was of greater interest. After stints in consulting and sales, Sumathi founded her first business, the Canadian franchise of a global business intelligence business over 15 years ago. While building her own book business from $0 to $4M and supporting her clients in using business intelligence to support their internal marketing and sales organizations, Sumathi realized that technology was imperative to solving this problem and founded Kaitongo.
Dr. Sumrita Bhat, Founder and CEO of Conlis Global Inc
Calgary, AB
As someone with a doctoral degree in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, Dr. Sumrita Bhat has dedicated her career to exploring new frontiers in the field of medicine. Her research has been focused specifically on bone and cartilage regeneration and repair, and she has had the privilege of working in this area for over 17 years. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to hone her expertise in a wide range of areas. In particular, Dr. Bhat has been deeply involved in the development of cutting-edge medical device technology for in vitro diagnostic devices (IVDD), an area of great interest and importance in the medical community. In addition to her work on IVDD, she has also gained significant experience managing diagnostic laboratories. In this capacity, Dr. Bhat has overseen various aspects of laboratory operations, including business development, quality management systems, and regulatory compliance. Dr. Bhat’s experience in this area has helped her to better understand the intricacies of laboratory operations, as well as the complex regulatory landscape that governs them. Finally, she is proud to have earned her RAC certification, which has further enhanced her extensive experience in regulatory submission processes. This certification is a testament to Dr. Bhat’s commitment to staying current with the latest regulatory requirements and standards, and to her dedication to ensuring that all regulatory submissions meet the highest possible standards of quality and compliance.
Terri Phipps, Co-Founder and CEO of Wilma Technologies Inc.
Vancouver, BC
Terri Phipps developed her engaging style starting with her early years living in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles working as an actress and stand-up comedian. As Co-founder and CEO of Wilma, Terri leans on her extensive pedigree in sales attained from her 20 successful years at Xerox as a national sales leader, followed up with senior roles as VP of Client Solutions at LHH/Knightsbridge, VP of Sales at Compass Group, and SVP and Managing Director of Optimum Talent. Furthermore, Terri shares her knowledge and experiences readily as a motivational speaker and mentor to women in business. Audiences have found Terri to be a captivating speaker that brings passion and humour to her messaging.
Vivian McCormick, Co-Founder and CEO of Flax Home
Vancouver, BC
Vivian McCormick is the CEO and one of three co-founders of Flax Home. After practicing law for over a decade and supporting other entrepreneurs in their ventures, Vivian took the leap into entrepreneurship with Anna Heyd and Oana Papuc when they saw an opportunity to bring premium linen essentials into more homes. In her role as CEO, Vivian gets to fuel her “business nerd” brain by working alongside Flax Home’s all-female team on everything from production to marketing. As a second-generation Chinese entrepreneur, Vivian’s journey is rooted in her passion for supporting female and other under-supported entrepreneurs. She thrives on connecting and building community, and facilitating candid conversations about all topics from business to parenthood to folding a fitted sheet. Vivian recharges with her husband Dave, their son Declan, and their old puppy Daisy.
Thank you to our Event Sponsors, Alberta Innovates and KPMG; our Capital Champions, Innovate Calgary, Bluesky Equities, The51 Food and AgTech Fund, and The51; and our Ecosystem Partners, Inovia, McRock Capital, Tacit Edge, Osler, InterGen, and Yaletown.
We couldn’t do it without you!
Hear these entrepreneurs share their stories to a panel of Capital Champions at HerStory 2023, taking place at Inventures on June 2, 2023.
*Venture Winners’ awards are subject to due diligence.