1. Michele Romanow
Michele Romanow is the co-founder of Clearbanc, a provider of revenue-sharing solutions to fund e-businesses. As the youngest “dragon” on CBC’s Dragon’s Den, her innovative approach to financing has provided entrepreneurs with alternative funding options, reducing reliance on traditional models.
“There’s still a lot of work to do but let’s not forget about how far we’ve come. Just looking back to my parents’ generation, my choices would’ve been limited to roles like being someone’s assistant – something I would have been very bad at. That’s why I’m so motivated by what we’re doing at Clearbanc. We’ve helped eight times more female founders get funding. Every day, we help more people build their dream no matter who they are or where they’re from. Whether you’re just starting out in your career or at the pinnacle, we should always look to the other women around us who have succeeded for advice.”
2. Eva Wong
Eva Wong is the co-founder and COO of Borrowell, a fintech company offering free credit scores and financial product recommendations. Her leadership in the fintech sector has opened doors for women in technology and finance, demonstrating the impact of diverse perspectives in traditionally male-dominated industries.
“I never imagined myself as a co-founder or working in tech. I’m not the kind of person who has a thousand business ideas. But I think that anyone can be an entrepreneur. You don’t need to have an “entrepreneurship gene.” My work has been super rewarding and it’s an opportunity to make a difference, even in terms of the company culture we’ve built—we’re gender-balanced and actually have slightly more women than men in senior roles.”
3. Emma Asiedu-Akrofi
Emma Asiedu-Akrofi is the CEO of Fora: Network for Change, an organization dedicated to advancing gender equality and empowering young women. With a background in community development and leadership at the Jean Augustine Centre, she champions programs that break systemic barriers and create opportunities for women in leadership.
“Exposure to leadership opportunities at a young age matters. It gives young people the freedom to explore, fail, learn, and grow without feeling like they’ve missed their chance. When youth facing racial and gender-based barriers have equitable access to opportunity, they can better chart paths that feel authentic to who they are.”
4. Farah Mohamed
Farah Mohamed is a Canadian women’s rights activist and social entrepreneur, renowned for founding G(irls)20, an organization that empowers young women globally through education, entrepreneurship, and leadership training. She also served as CEO of the Malala Fund, advocating for girls’ education worldwide. Currently, she leads The King’s Trust Canada, focusing on equity and sustainability initiatives. Her career is marked by a commitment to creating practical solutions to systemic inequities.
“Many immigrants — and especially refugees — will tell you that losing everything is jarring, but you don’t have the luxury of wallowing in it. You have to work harder than anyone else and create opportunities out of chaos. Your success becomes tied to your survival. Even after becoming a Canadian, that survivalist mindset sticks with you. I also recognize that in spaces traditionally dominated by white men, being the “only one” in the room can motivate you to open doors for others. It’s about creating opportunities for those who may not have had the same chances.”
5. Lorraine Godwin
Lorraine Godwin is the Vice President of Commercial at VerAI Discoveries, a company revolutionizing mineral exploration by deploying a groundbreaking artificial intelligence platform to detect concealed mineral deposits. In her role, Godwin leads go-to-market and business development efforts, partnering with mining companies to transform traditional exploration methods.
“When I graduated in Geophysics, I was 1 of 2 women graduates, and today I’m thrilled there are so many more women in science. Seeing more women in STEM and in leadership roles are two areas I’m passionate about. I was fortunate to have great mentors throughout my career, both men and women. Today there are more female leaders who can be role models and mentors to help other young women see themselves as future leaders.”
6. Mandy Rennehan
Mandy Rennehan is the founder and CEO of Freshco, a leading retail maintenance and construction company based in Toronto. Her innovative approach to business and commitment to empowering women in the trades have earned her numerous accolades, including Canada’s Most Admired CEO and the Toronto Region Board of Trade Business Leader of the Year.
“(The trades) industry was made for both genders. … I’m after people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s who say ‘I want to work with my hands. I want to build stuff. I want to build and maintain a new Canada.”
7. Joanna Griffiths
Joanna Griffiths is the founder and CEO of Knix, an innovative apparel brand known for its leak-proof menstrual underwear. Since launching in 2013, she has expanded Knix into a multi-product brand, raising $53 million in funding in 2021. Griffiths raised this money while pregnant with twins and spoke out against companies who are biased against pregnant CEOs and founders, citing her own experience. Griffiths has received numerous accolades, including Entrepreneur of the Year by Women of Influence in 2018.
“How many great opportunities are they missing out on because they hold these outdated views? There are lots of reasons to do some really hard thinking, read a couple of books and start to change.”
8. Jodi Kovitz
Jodi Kovitz is a Canadian lawyer and nonprofit executive, best known as the founder and former CEO of #MoveTheDial, a global movement dedicated to increasing the participation and leadership of women in technology. Under her leadership, #MoveTheDial impacted over 60,000 individuals worldwide, advocating for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. In 2023, Kovitz was appointed CEO of the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) in Ontario, bringing her visionary leadership to the human resources field. Her career exemplifies a commitment to empowering women and fostering equitable workplaces.
“You can only be what you can see, and you haven’t historically seen many women as tech icons. And the pipeline has been a huge challenge: getting girls interested and curious about pursuing STEM careers. We have to change the perception for girls, that it’s not just for boys to do coding. That means we have to expose girls to tech in a different way at times, and expose girls to career options and role models.”
9. Fiona Lake Waslander
Fiona Lake Waslander is the founder and CEO of Coral, a digital health platform revolutionizing menopause care in Canada. Under her leadership, Coral secured significant funding to provide personalized, science-backed solutions for women navigating perimenopause and menopause, filling a critical gap in women’s healthcare.
“For a young women looking to start a new business, remember that you do have the capabilities and you do have a seat at the table.”
10. Fatima Zaidi
Fatima Zaidi is the CEO and co-founder of Quill Inc., a Toronto-based podcasting platform that connects businesses with podcasters. Her innovative approach to content marketing has opened new avenues for brands to engage with audiences, inspiring women in media and technology to explore entrepreneurial ventures.“Oftentimes the root of these structural barriers that many female founders face are social in nature, so, it is important to continue elevating the profiles of successful female founders and black entrepreneurs to inspire the emerging next generation of female founders.”