NOTABLE AWARDS
COMMITTEE
MELISSA LEONG
@lisleong
Melissa Leong is a sought-after speaker, national media personality, best-selling author and award-winning podcast host. She’s the author of the feel-good finance guide, Happy Go Money, is a repeat guest on The Drew Barrymore Show on CBS and serves as the resident money expert on Canada’s leading daytime talk show, The Social.
BOBBIE RACETTE
@beejes
Bobbie Racette, Founder & CEO of Virtual Gurus, is a Cree-Metis woman entrepreneur with an unmatched ability to drive change and empower historically underrepresented communities through equitable remote work opportunities. Her passion has created a community of diverse talents where “no” is not an option. Bobbie was named Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year 2022, EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist 2023 and has been bestowed as the Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year by the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business 2023.
ASHLEY KELLY
cultureally.com
Ashley Kelly is the CEO and Co-Founder of CultureAlly, an innovative Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) company that serves as a one-stop-shop for all DEI needs. With a decade of professional experience spanning early-stage startups to Fortune 500 giants across industries like Insurance, Pharma, SaaS, and AI, Ashley has honed her expertise in fostering inclusive workplaces. She has pursued further DEI studies at prestigious institutions like Cornell University and Purdue University. As one of the founders of CultureAlly, Ashley is dedicated to advancing DEI through top-tier education, innovative consulting solutions, and cutting-edge technology, shaping a more inclusive future for organizations worldwide.
CRAIG PIKE
@craigpike
Craig Pike, a Dora-nominated actor from St. John’s, Newfoundland, founded the nationally acclaimed acapella chamber choir ‘That Choir’ and later established Craig’s Cookies, a thriving cookie business with multiple locations across Canada. Recognized in various media outlets, Craig’s Cookies stands out for its commitment to inclusivity, symbolized by its year-round rainbow Pride heart sticker and Craig’s dedication to fostering an inclusive work environment and supporting mental health.
BRIGITTE TRUONG
@brigittetruong
Brigitte Truong has solidified herself as a go-to source in Canada for the latest trends in lifestyle and entertainment as a Multimedia Host, Producer, and forward-thinking digital content creator. Her interview style and relatable storytelling over the past 15 years have garnered the attention of some of the largest global lifestyle brands. She’s currently the American host of Sister Cities on USA TODAY and CICC in China, host and producer of the Homegirl Nation Podcast, celebrating its third season this fall. With an unwavering commitment to sharing diverse stories and perspectives, Brigitte’s work in front of and behind the camera aims to educate and inspire female self-starters like herself to create and live with purpose.
JILL DEWES
@daughter_creative
Born in Canada and raised in New Zealand, Jill is a Partner & the COO at Daughter Creative, a women-owned and led branding and advertising agency in Calgary, and a bronze winner in both the Strategy Small Agency of the Year and Design Agency of the year in 2022. Jill loves to connect people and help great ideas get to market, and she’s determined to prove that creativity is a true economic driver and Calgary is a true creative hub.
JENNIFER TREMBLAY
@jennifer.tts
Jennifer Tremblay is the CEO of DINR and the Founder / CEO of Somm. DINR is one of Canada’s most indulgent tech companies, unlocking same-day reservations at the best restaurants, including many on the Michelin list. Prior to leading DINR, Jennifer was one the first employees at Y Combinator-backed Delphia, and she was previously a VP at TD Securities. Splitting her time between Vancouver and Toronto, Jennifer is passionate about ensuring female Canadian leaders are given equal opportunities on the global stage, and she is outspoken about a variety of issues, including gender pay gap, access to capital and more.
CRAIG WONG
@craigwong
Chef Craig Wong is a renowned Chinese-Jamaican restaurateur behind Patois Toronto and JunePlum, famous for Asian-Caribbean soul food. Combining his heritage with French training, Craig Wong’s cooking is exciting & packed with bold flavours. He trained at L’Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon; his determination led him to work in Three Michelin-starred restaurants, including Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée & The Fat Duck.
SEE YOU IN 2024 🎉
