Managing Your Business in a Shifting Global Environment
A complete diagnostic and prescription for the specific challenges Canadian SMEs face right now. Not just inspiration—a tactical path forward.
THE CHALLENGE
Insufficient Demand
54% of SMEs report “insufficient demand” as their top barrier to growth (CFIB 2026 Report).
THE EWB SOLUTION
Scaling in Uncertain Markets
Powered by UPS: Learn proven formulas and growth paths to find customers now.
THE CHALLENGE
Tight Capital Markets
Credit is frozen for many. Traditional funding pathways are slower and more risk-averse.
THE EWB SOLUTION
The Winning Pitch
Master the “Clarity of Offer” to unlock funding in a 3-minute pitch.
THE CHALLENGE
The Burnout Epidemic
Women entrepreneurs are burning out at 2x the rate of their male counterparts.
THE EWB SOLUTION
Wellness Blueprint
A tactical guide to micro-habits that sustain leadership performance.
THE CHALLENGE
AI Overwhelm
Too many tools, high costs, and a steep learning curve create a “tech freeze.”
THE EWB SOLUTION
Wellness Blueprint
Identifying the essential tools that actually drive revenue.
BONUS SESSION
Women's Health Stories Project
Beyond business metrics. We are creating a community asset by documenting the real health journeys of women leaders. Join the conversation that connects macro policy to micro business decisions.
Managing Your Business in a Shifting Global Environment
A complete diagnostic and prescription for the specific challenges Canadian SMEs face right now. Not just inspiration—a tactical path forward.
THE CHALLENGE
Insufficient Demand
54% of SMEs report “insufficient demand” as their top barrier to growth (CFIB 2026 Report).
THE EWB SOLUTION
Scaling in Uncertain Markets
Powered by UPS: Learn proven formulas and growth paths to find customers now.
THE CHALLENGE
Tight Capital Markets
Credit is frozen for many. Traditional funding pathways are slower and more risk-averse.
THE EWB SOLUTION
The Winning Pitch
Master the “Clarity of Offer” to unlock funding in a 3-minute pitch.
THE CHALLENGE
The Burnout Epidemic
Women entrepreneurs are burning out at 2x the rate of their male counterparts.
THE EWB SOLUTION
Wellness Blueprint
A tactical guide to micro-habits that sustain leadership performance.
THE CHALLENGE
AI Overwhelm
Too many tools, high costs, and a steep learning curve create a “tech freeze.”
THE EWB SOLUTION
Tech Without Overwhelm
Identifying the essential tools that actually drive revenue.
BONUS SESSION
EWB Women's Health Stories Project
Beyond business metrics. We are creating a community asset by documenting the real health journeys of women leaders. Join the conversation that connects macro policy to micro business decisions.
HOST
Emily Brass
Host, CBC Saint John
GOVERNMENT VOICE
Hon. Louise Imbeault
Lieutenant Governor of NB
GOVERNMENT VOICE
Hon. Susan Holt
Premier of New Brunswick
GOVERNMENT VOICE
Donna Reardon
Mayor of Saint John
SPONSOR
Whilna Stewart-Franklin
Director, Community Relations, UPS
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Angele Miller
Multi-Founder & Strategic Investor
Speaker
Shannon Merrifield
CEO, SJ Chamber of Commerce
SPEAKER
Danika LeBlanc
Manager, NB Southeast District Office with ACOA
SPEAKER
Krystal Wedge
Key Account Executive, UPS
SPEAKER
Janelle Copeland
Key Account Executive, UPS
SPONSOR
David Eisnor
Regional Director, Futurpreneur
Speaker
Lisa Pattman
Membership Director, SJ Chamber
Speaker
Sarah Prince
Senior Account Manager, BDC
Speaker
Natacha Dugas
Founder & CEO, WEVRR
MODERATOR
Nada Rabie
Growth Coordinator, Envision Saint John
ORGANIZER
Tania Valbuena
EWB™ Project
ORGANIZER
Daniel Meza
EWB™ Project
Speaker
Claudine Pohl
Founder & CEO, Lemoneight
Speaker
Rufina Ajalie
HR Leader & Author, Open Roads
Speaker
Nicole Paquet
Managing Director, NPL Inc.
Speaker
Sophia Etuhube
Founder & CEO, MamaJay Photography
Speaker
Alona Kovalyshyna
Founder & CEO, Care2Pets
Speaker
Jas Chohan
Co-Founder, JC Realty Team & ERB Builders
Speaker
Jessica Mackenzie
Founding Pastry Chef, JLM Patisserie
Speaker
Ogorchukwu Ugolo
Program Coordinator, YALI
MODERATOR
Kayla Johnson
Founder at Kayla & Co
EMCEE
Michael Sadavoy
Director of Business Growth, Kayla Co.
Host
Angie Seth
CBC News, Senior Business Reporter/Host
Government Voice
Hon. Charmaine Williams
Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity
Government Voice
Hon. Nina Tangri
Associate Minister of Small Business
City Voice
Mayor Carolyn Parrish
City of Mississauga
Keynote Speaker
Robyn Saccon
Vice President, Public Affairs, BD Canada
Speaker
Christina Kakaflikas
Director, Economic Development, City of Mississauga
Sponsor
Whilna Stewart-Franklin
Director, Community Relations, UPS
Speaker
Georgette Zinaty
President, WBE Canada & Founder, WHEW!
Government Voice
Fautoma Ahmed
Director of Special Projects, FedDev Ontario
Sponsor
Sarah Pick
Ontario Regional Director, Futurpreneur
Speaker
Marie-Pier Tremblay
Entrepreneurship Coach, Futurpreneur
SPEAKER
Rekha Narang
Microsoft
Speaker
Dr. Tricia Williams
Director of Research, Future Skills Centre
Speaker
Tamara Seales-Knights
President, Seaford Pharmaceuticals
SPEAKER
Dr. Wendy Cukier
Founder and Academic Director, Diversity Institute
SPEAKER
Shahrzad Farzinpak
Dean, Pilon School of Business
SPEAKER
Renee Devereaux
Director, Sheridan EDGE
Charity Leader
Zein Dhanidina
Executive Director & Founder, Refugee Women’s Network
Charity Leader
Fawzia Khan
CEO, Women That Give
Speaker
Kat Ostroumova
Founder, Kat International Wellness
Speaker
Jennifer Benedict
Founder, Ironwood Infrastructure
Speaker
Dr. Rina Raichada
CEO, Dentistry On 10
Speaker
Nadiya Yashan
Founder, Business Woman PRO Canada
Moderator
Ezza Malik
Co-Founder & President, Zalik Academy
Speaker
Safo Musta
Research Analyst, Office of the Procurement Ombud, OPO BOA Office/Bureau of the
EMCEE
Shruti Dargan
Multimedia Journalist, New Horizons Media, Inc.
Organizer
Tania Valbuena
Co-Founder, EWB™ Project
Speaker
Majid Charania
Director of Compliance and Outreach, Competition Bureau of Canada
MODERATOR
Sharanya Rajeshz/span>
Director, Learning & Engagement, Endeavour Volunteer Consulting
Our Vision
A Year of Momentum
EWB (Empowering Women in Business) brings women together to connect, inspire, and explore key trends for growth.
After two successful yearly conferences, 2026 marks a strategic shift. We are moving beyond a once a year meeting to create a sustained community. Through frequent activations—including our signature in-person summits in Ontario and New Brunswick—we are strengthening business connections all year round.
700+
In-Person Attendees
960+
Active Community Members
The Roadmap
2026 EWB Platforms
Join us for a mix of high-energy in-person summits and accessible digital skill-building sessions.
Q1
Q2
Q2
Connecting remote regions through technology.
New Brunswick
Q3
Expanding market access for your business.
Ontario:
New Brunswick
Sep 26
Q4
Celebrating a year of momentum and growth.
Ontario:
New Brunswick
The EWB Project Memories
Get The Digital Edition First
Join the waitlist to receive the PDF copy 48 hours in your inbox before the public release.
$25 CAD
Collector's Edition
Premium high-gloss print. Limited run available for pre-order.
Feature Your Business
Showcase your brand to 1,200+ leaders. Spaces start at $40.
Our 2026 Partners
Powering EWB The Year of Momentum
We are proud to work with organizations committed to empowering women in business.
EMPOWER NATIONAL SPONSOR
NATIONAL CHAMPION SPONSOR
LUMINARY REGIONAL SPONSOR
REGIONAL CHAMPION SPONSOR
REGIONAL CHAMPION SPONSOR
GOVERNMENT PARTNER
SESSION PARTNER
REGIONAL ALLY SPONSOR
REGIONAL ALLY SPONSOR
REGIONAL BOOSTER SPONSOR
Media Partners
MEDIA PARTNER
MEDIA PARTNER
Knowledge Partners
We are honoured to collaborate with regional and industry leaders throughout our communities.
Community Partners
We are honoured to collaborate with regional and industry leaders throughout our communities.
The Powerhouse Behind the Project
ORGANIZER
ORGANIZER
EMPOWERING THROUGH COMMUNITY
Charity Partners
We are proud to support these changemaking organizations through visibility, resources, and free access to EWB trainings.
Refugee Women’s Network (RWN) was established in 2016 as a response to the needs of refugee women settling in Canada by bridging the language barrier and supporting newcomer women through education, advocacy, and supportive programs.
The 2026
EWB Impact List
This is a movement to recognize unseen impact. Selected by our Secret Committee for integrity and unbiased recognition.
- Woman Entrepreneur
- Newcomer Ent.
- Sustained Success
- Young Woman Ent.
- EmpowerHER
- Woman Leaders
SELF NOMINATION FORM
RECOGNIZE A PEER
Start Your Application (Southern Ontario)
*Winners recognized at the Platform Day Ceremony on June 12, 2026, in GTA, Ontario.
SELF NOMINATION FORM
RECOGNIZE A PEER
Application (Southern New Brunswick)
*Winners recognized at the Platform Day Ceremony on March 13 in Saint John, New Brunswick.