Joanna Shea

Keynote Speaker | Founder & Chief Executive Officer, The Negotiations Collective

Dr. Catherine Hansen

Keynote Speaker | Medical Doctor, Women's Health & Wellness Expert

A distinguished physician specializing in women’s health, Dr. Catherine Hansen transforms how organizations build resilient teams, prevent burnout, and maximize leadership potential. She combines cutting-edge medical insights with 25 years of clinical experience to expose the hidden factors derailing workplace performance and talent retention, with her unique approach to menopause in the workplace converting an overlooked challenge — one costing the Canadian economy an estimated $3.5 billion annually in lost productivity — into a powerful competitive advantage. Hansen’s keynotes equip audiences with immediately applicable tools to optimize workplace vitality, harness untapped talent, and create environments where all employees perform at their peak through every life stage.

A recognized leader in holistic health and wellness, Hansen has empowered countless professionals to navigate work-life synergy with confidence, clarity and authenticity. She is a Canadian-trained and US Board-Certified OB/GYN and a certified menopause practitioner with a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins and a clinical fellowship in hormonal and sexual health. 

For over a decade, Hansen was an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch. She also served in a multi-specialty Houston-based practice focused on menopause medicine, and founded Empowered Women’s Circle, a global community fostering connection and empowerment among women leaders. 

Married to Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who made history as the first Canadian to travel to the moon in 2026 as part of the Artemis II mission, Hansen brings unique perspectives on work-life harmony, dual careers, and powerful partnerships. Her presentations blend scientific rigor with relatable storytelling to inspire meaningful change and empower audiences to take bold steps towards better health, increased efficiency, enhanced productivity, and greater joy.

Eleanor Beaton

Workshop Speaker | Founder & CEO, Safi Ventures

Eleanor Beaton is the Founder and CEO of Safi Ventures, advising women-owned service firms between $500,000 and $3 million in revenue on how to scale. Her frameworks have been deployed across more than 25,000 women-led businesses globally. Her podcast, Woman Owned, has more than 500 episodes and ranks in the top 0.5% of podcasts worldwide. She was a 2026 judge for the WIN Challenge, a $60 million investment spearheaded by the Aspen Institute and Pivotal Ventures.

Tammy Buss

Workshop Speaker | Founder of Buss Financial Group, Buss Business Solutions, & BlueRoots

Tammy Buss is a trailblazer in the world of family business advising, with over 40 years of experience helping hundreds of Canadian and U.S. family enterprises thrive across generations. As the founder of Buss Financial Group, Buss Business Solutions, and most recently BlueRoots, Tammy brings a rare blend of firsthand experience, strategic insight, and heartfelt dedication to every stage of business transition. 

She is the author of the acclaimed Passing Down Your Success and Build It, Dream It, Pass It On book series, and 
the host of two influential podcasts: The Business of Familyand The Business of Family ~ Legal Matters. Her work focuses on fostering open communication, aligning family values, and crafting sustainable succession strategies that honor both legacy and innovation.

Tammy’s deep understanding of the emotional and operational complexities within family businesses stems not only from her client work but also from navigating her own family business journey. Her presentations are rich with practical wisdom, real-world stories, and actionable tools that empower families to build, protect, and pass on their success.

Whether she's speaking to entrepreneurs, advisors, or next generation leaders, Tammy inspires with clarity, compassion, 
and a vision for what’s possible when family and business 
grow together.

Gayathri Shukla, P.Eng, MBA

Workshop Speaker | Founder, Campfire Kinship

Gayathri Shukla, P.Eng, MBA is the Founder of Campfire Kinship, a social enterprise building inclusive cultures by starting with one of the most powerful tools we all have: story.

With over 17 years of technical and leadership experience in the energy and mining sectors, Gayathri has seen firsthand how culture shapes outcomes in high-stakes environments. Since launching Campfire Kinship in 2020, she has supported more than 50 organizations through advisory, leadership learning, facilitation, and applied research engagements. She holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, an Executive MBA, and is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Calgary. Her doctoral research focuses on leadership development and how story-based practices can help shift mindsets for systemic change.

Gayathri is also a TEDx speaker of The one thing AI can’t replace, the lead author of Landed, Transformative Stories of Canadian Immigrant Women, and The Fires We Lit, Illustrated Stories of Women Reimagining the Rules, and host of the radio-podcast Hearth 2 Heart. She is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of her community leadership.

Amber Hall

Workshop Speaker | Regional Manager, Inclusive Entrepreneurship for the Prairies at BDC

Amber Hall is the Regional Manager, Inclusive Entrepreneurship for the Prairies at BDC, where she works to expand access to financing, partnerships, and support for underserved entrepreneurs across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

With more than 10 years of experience in business financing and ecosystem development, Amber has dedicated her career to helping entrepreneurs access the capital, resources, and connections they need to grow. Prior to joining BDC, she managed a portfolio of growth-stage businesses at Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), supporting financing programs and strengthening partnerships that increased opportunities for women entrepreneurs across Alberta. She also held commercial banking roles with ATB Financial.

Recognized for her collaborative approach and deep network across the Prairie entrepreneurship ecosystem, Amber is passionate about creating pathways to success for women, Indigenous, Black, newcomer, and other underserved entrepreneurs. Based in Calgary, she continues to work alongside partners, business leaders, and community organizations to foster a more inclusive and thriving entrepreneurial landscape.

Idalin McKenzie

Workshop Speaker | VP of Finance & Asset Management, YWCA Hamilton

Idalin McKenzie is a finance and corporate services executive, board director, and the creator of Governance by Design, a KalmGovernance framework for leaders who inherit responsibility for organizations and arrangements they did not design — or designed for an earlier stage. It gives them a disciplined way to map what they received, test whether it still serves, and make evidence-based decisions about what should remain, what must change, and who has the authority to act.

Her career spans professional services, seventeen years in Ontario's electricity sector with senior accountability for multi-billion-dollar energy settlements, and advisory work with owners and executive teams on strategy, acquisitions and building organizations that hold their value. She is Vice President, Finance & Asset Management at YWCA Hamilton, Director and Treasurer of Volunteer Canada, a director of Partners Community Health, and Vice Chair of BridgeWay Family Centre — the executive who supports oversight and the director who carries it.

Idalin holds an Executive MBA from the Rotman School of Management and the CPA, CDI.D and CRMA designations, and was named one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women's Executive Network in 2023.

Kimiko Comeau

Workshop Speaker | Director, Business Advisory & Transition Planning, BMO Private Wealth

Kimiko Comeau is part of the Business Advisory & Transition Planning team, which provides high net worth business owners in transition with a sophisticated, forward-thinking wealth management plan. She works with individuals and business owners in the areas of business succession, transition, sale, mergers & acquisitions, and valuations for the purposes of wealth planning and transfer. Kimiko is an experienced business advisor who brings more than 10 years of technical and business planning expertise to BMO Private Wealth.

Kimiko joined BMO Private Wealth in 2018 after more than a decade as a mid-market M&A advisor at a Big 4 professional services firm. With a focus on sell-side advisory services for private companies, Kimiko has worked with companies in a range of industries including oil and gas services, manufacturing, distribution and construction. Kimiko has advised on complex transactions including sales to financial and strategic buyers, management buyouts, and shareholder disputes.

Kira Gregson, CPA, CA, CBV

Workshop Speaker | Partner, Valuations at Sequeria Partners

Kira Gregson, CPA, CA, CBV is a corporate valuation specialist who advises business owners on the critical question of “what is it worth?”. With over 15 years of experience, she has worked across a wide range of industries and business structures. She is recognized for her ability to translate complex technical valuation matters into clear, practical insights that support sound decision-making and value creation.

Erica McGuinness CPA, CA, CBV

Workshop Speaker | Partner, Deals at Sequeira Partners

Erica McGuinness CPA, CA, CBV has more than 15 years of experience advising business owners on divestitures, and corporate finance activities. Since joining Sequeira Partners from EY’s transaction advisory practice, she has led complex transactions across a wide range of industries and business models. Erica is known for her client-focused approach and practical guidance through critical strategic and transaction decisions.

Jennifer Lee

Senior Economist & Managing Director, BMO Capital Markets

Sheri Griffiths

Senior Vice President & Head of Ontario Canadian Commercial Banking at BMO

Sheri Griffiths is the Senior Vice President & Head of Ontario for Canadian Commercial Banking at BMO Financial Group. In this role, she leads a high-performing team across the province, guiding strategy, client delivery, and market growth. With more than 30 years of retail and commercial banking experience, Sheri’s career has spanned multiple regions and progressive leadership roles since beginning as a teller early in her journey. 

Sheri holds an MBA from Dalhousie University and is a committed champion for advancing women in business. She serves as an executive sponsor for BMO for Women, an initiative dedicated to supporting and elevating women entrepreneurs. Sheri also chairs the Canadian Commercial Banking National Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, helping drive BMO’s ambition to create a workplace with zero barriers to inclusion.

Recognized for her leadership, impact, and advocacy, Sheri was named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) in 2020. She is deeply passionate about fostering equitable opportunity, empowering teams, and supporting the success of Canadian businesses.