In Partnership with:
Women entrepreneurs are not just participating in Canada’s economy - they are helping define its future. Across Atlantic Canada, organizations like Centre for Women in Business Nova Scotia are advancing economic empowerment by championing women-led business growth, leadership, and opportunity, while Sandpiper Ventures is reshaping the innovation landscape by investing in diverse founders and scaling high-potential companies that drive long-term economic impact. Together with WBE Canada, whose mandate is to connect women-owned businesses to corporate and government supply chains while accelerating supplier diversity and procurement opportunities, this moment represents more than progress; it represents economic transformation.
As regional defence investment accelerates across Atlantic Canada and the global demand for trusted Canadian innovation, manufacturing, technology, and services continues to grow, women-led businesses have a critical opportunity to lead, build, procure, and scale at a new level. This conversation will challenge outdated systems, elevate bold strategies, celebrate real wins, and create the kind of honest, disruptive dialogue that moves economies forward. Canada has what the world needs - and women entrepreneurs must be fully at the table shaping how we deliver it to the world.
Dr. Georgette Zinaty is President of Women Business Enterprises (WBE) Canada, leading national efforts to connect certified women-owned businesses to procurement opportunities and drive supplier diversity. A recognized thought leader, Forbes contributor, and global keynote speaker, Dr. Zinaty is renowned for her expertise in business transformation, innovation, and the integration of AI and data-driven strategies. She has founded Women Helping Empower Women (WHEW!) and DGZ Capital, and serves as Senior Advisor to Nobellum and on the Board of Advisors for ELLA at York University. Honoured with numerous awards, Dr. Zinaty is committed to empowering women, fostering inclusive innovation, and advancing leadership. She also teaches at Western University and Rotman, shaping the next generation of business leaders.
Roxanne Tate, MASc, FEC, P.Eng., CEM, GGP, is a Professional Engineer and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience across research, manufacturing, energy consulting, and project and construction management. She holds a Master of Applied Science from Dalhousie University, where her work focused on biodiesel fuels, and has developed expertise in energy auditing, benchmarking, modelling, and net zero energy approaches.
Roxanne is the founder and President of Tate Engineering Inc., where she works with clients across sectors to support energy-efficient design, reduce demand, and navigate the project lifecycle from early concept through construction and occupancy.
She has contributed to the engineering community through roles such as Councillor for Engineers Nova Scotia and Board Member for Consulting Engineers of Nova Scotia. She also participates in mentorship and leadership programs through the Centre for Women in Business, with a particular interest in supporting women in engineering and entrepreneurship.
Roxanne is guided by the belief that the built environment influences how communities grow, connect, and thrive. She brings a purpose-driven approach to her work, cantered on solving real-world problems and supporting a resilient, responsible future. Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.
Shannon Boland-Musseau is an Indigenous female entrepreneur, speaker, event creator, and community builder with more than 10 years of experience in the wedding & events industry. As the founder of One Day Affair Inc., Shannon has dedicated her career to creating meaningful experiences that bring people together through connection and celebration.
She built One Day Affair into a respected event company known for its personalized approach and exceptional client experiences. She has won numerous awards including the most recent “Small Business of the Year” by the Halifax Chamber. The company is also home to an intimate venue space designed to host weddings, corporate events and workshops where people can connect in authentic and memorable ways.
Most recently, Shannon expanded her platform by co-creating and co-hosting the podcast Hotter by the Minute, where she and her co-host engage in honest, humorous, and empowering conversations about menopause, midlife, health, relationships, career growth, and the realities women face as they navigate life's transitions. Through both personal stories and expert insights, the podcast aims to educate, normalize conversations around menopause, and help women feel supported and empowered.
Whether she is producing events, speaking on stage, hosting a podcast, or mentoring fellow entrepreneurs, Shannon's mission remains the same: to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, connected, and inspired. Through her work, she continues to build communities that celebrate authenticity, encourage meaningful conversations, and empower women to embrace every stage of life with confidence.
Passionate and results-oriented senior executive, Judith Richardson has global experience in corporate strategy, executive leadership and team development/facilitation, mergers and acquisitions, evaluation and customer service strategies – exporting to 12 countries. Judith puts to work her 20+ years of executive corporate leadership and customer-staff-patient-citizen engagement experience within a variety of business and public sectors to create aligned action.
In her current role with the Centre for Women in Business, Judith works to further build and strengthen the case for the inclusion of women-owned businesses and other diverse suppliers, in the supply chains of corporates, organizations, and governments. Through mentorship and masterminds, cohorts learn and put systems in place to gain a place in those supply chains. The Centre for Women in Business (CWB) is dedicated to helping women business owners and entrepreneurs across Canada succeed through exposure, connection, and learning. From one-on-one business advice and skills training, to networking and membership programs, we help our clients launch new business ideas, propel established companies to new levels of success, and thrive as owners, CEOs and industry leaders. CWB exists to help women business owners in all phases of their business development.
Over and above the companies and governmental departments in Judith’s experience, her work history also includes executive/project lead on multi-year international projects, and she has been involved in over 30 publications and lectures/speaking engagement. Over the years, Judith always makes the time to dedicate to community involvement by sitting on boards and commissions, coaching team sports, and pet therapy team with golden retriever, Jake, while enjoying time with family.
Taura Lee is the President and CEO of B'Spoke Apparel and Ace Upholstery Limited, two Nova Scotia-based businesses serving clients across Canada. As a WBE Canada-certified business owner, she has built her companies by identifying niche markets and developing solutions for educational institutions, government organizations, military personnel, and commercial clients.
Through B'Spoke Apparel, Taura provides academic regalia, military and ceremonial uniforms, and custom apparel solutions to universities, colleges, and organizations nationwide. Through Ace Upholstery Limited, she leads a team delivering marine, commercial, automotive, and residential upholstery services throughout Atlantic Canada.
A passionate entrepreneur, Taura has firsthand experience growing and diversifying businesses while navigating the challenges of cash flow, procurement, workforce development, and changing market conditions. She is a strong advocate for supplier diversity and believes women-owned businesses play an important role in driving innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening local economies.
Taura brings a practical, hands-on perspective to business leadership and is passionate about helping women entrepreneurs access new opportunities, build meaningful partnerships, and grow sustainable businesses.
