Theme: Showing Up

With the advent of the #MeToo movement and events such as the recent van attack horror that shocked the Toronto community, there’s no denying that the importance of women in society continue to shift not only locally, but on a global scale. Women, now more than ever, are showing up to face the challenges and bring about meaningful change through their own stories and voice.

Toronto Centre for the Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, Ontario, M2N 6R8
Canada

Danielle Bottineau

Danielle Bottineau, LGBTQ Liaison Officer for the Toronto Police. For the last 8 years in her post, Danielle has made great strides to foster a strong partnership between Toronto’s LGBTQ community and the Toronto Police Service. As a mentor and educator, she works with community organizations, schools, and the government to offer training and spread awareness about the LGBTQ community.

Dr. Beverly-Jean Daniel

Dr. Beverly-Jean Daniel, a Professor of Gender Issues and Social Justice. Her research and teachings focus on developing strengths-based and positive youth development theories and has taught in the fields of education where she focused on anti-oppression and anti-racism issues in the preparation of teachers.

Dr. Eileen de Villa

Dr. Eileen de Villa is the Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto. She made headlines for calling for the decriminalization of all drugs for personal use as a response to the growing overdose crisis in the city. Dr. de Villa has built her career on providing better care for people and as an educator, researcher, and leader.

Dr. Najma Ahmed

Dr. Najma Ahmed is a renowned trauma surgeon who worked tirelessly to treat the victims of the tragic Danforth shooting in 2018 in Toronto. When not saving lives, she’s dedicated to improving training for doctors as Resident Program Director at University of Toronto.

Dr. Sara Mazrouei

Dr. Sara Mazrouei is a planetary scientist, science communicator and also a big advocate for women in STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering and Math).

Jordana Goldlist

As a former homeless youth and high school dropout, Jordana Goldlist now runs JHG Criminal Law. Outside of her legal work, Jordana teaches youth in transition how to use their personal struggles as their strength and develop the skill set they need to excel in life.

Judy John

Judy John, CEO Canada and CCO North America for Leo Burnett. Judy started out waiting tables at her parents’ restaurant where she developed a strong work ethic before beginning her career as a copywriter. She worked her way through a range of agencies before joining Leo Burnett Canada as Chief Creative Officer in 1999. She’s won a number of awards for her ingenuity and creativity such as Marketing of the Year by CMA and ranked #1 CCO in the world in Advertising Age’s Award Report.

Jully Black

As a Canadian icon and major presence in the Canadian entertainment industry, Jully Black's career has spanned multiple singles reaching top of the music charts. She is co-founder and key note speaker for the renowned “Empowered In My Skin’ women’s empowerment summits, a Notable.ca award recipient, a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and a WE Day ambassador.

Kelly Williamson

Kelly Williamson is the Director of Navy Public Affairs in Ottawa and is passionate about incorporating gender perspectives into military and operational planning. She is also an advocate and volunteer with Veterans Emergency Transition Services Canada.

Kristin Cochrane

Kristin Cochrane, CEO of Penguin Random House Canada, is a recognized globally as an industry leader. She has been recently profiled in Canada 150 Women, as one of the country’s most inspiring and powerful female role models.

Lalli Marrarto

Lalli Marrato, founder of the successful fertility supplements company, FERTILIFY. Lalli has worked in multiple disciplines throughout her career from journalism and PR to finance. As her career flourished, so did her fertility concerns but found few options in the marketplace catering to women who want to support their fertility. This led her to co-found FERTILIFY.

Larissa Crawford

Larissa Crawford, a researcher and activist. Her expertise in Indigenous and anti-racism research, she holds several positions as a policy advisor and trainer. A proud mother with her daughter Zyra in tow, she’s also a youth public speaker and strong advocate for the empowerment of diverse youth as active citizens while overcoming adversities.

Markie Dell

Markie Dell, survivor and activist, endured a past of human trafficking, but like a Phoenix she rises, and is letting her voice be heard. Markie not only has a degree in Justice studies, but she is also a tool of empowerment for young girls.

Me and Her Cello

Me & Her Cellos are a Toronto based female cello duo. Their show is energetic, fun and sexy. Amber and Darya are both professional classically trained cellists who share a passion for expressing themselves beyond traditional realms. They love creating a fusion of Classical, Rock/Retro Synth Pop and Top 40 to delight listeners and they take great pride in performing their music to the highest possible standard.

Natasha Koifman

Natasha Koifman is the president of NKPR, one of Canada’s leading PR agencies. Along with owning a powerhouse PR company, she is on a mission to provide young businesses access to opportunities with her angel investment company, An8inc.

Phylicia George

Olympian Phylicia George is a power athlete who began running hurdles at 15 and fell in love with running when she would race with her father in parking lots. Since then, she’s become a dual season Olympian, competing in track-and-field and bobsleigh. She made her Olympic debut as a bobsledder after competing in track and field at London 2012 and Rio 2016. She first competed in bobsleigh at PyeongChang 2018 where she captured bronze for the two-women’s bobsleigh for her first Olympic medal. Phylicia is also a summa cum laude honours graduate from the University of Connecticut.

Samantha Yammine

Samantha, also known as "Science Sam", is a science communicator who uses her knowledge to educate others on social media through videos, descriptive captions, engaging pictures and live-streams. She has been a guest expert on TVO Kids & Leaf Nations Network.

Shawnee Talbot

Billboard has recently named Shawnee on their list of people you should know in music while MTV has named her on their list of “Top Gender Bending Artists” as a Two Spirit person. Shawnee challenges boundaries using music to unite, heal and empower strength. This Canadian Mohawk has much to share in a rebellious kind of way, using her music to inspire more importantly empower the world. Shawnee blends her roots and love of blues influences with an undeniable powerful yet angelic soul voice that creates a lasting impression. She wears her heart on her sleeve and carries her stories on her back using music that gives you the feels.

Shereen Ladha

Shereen Ladha is a professional dancer, choreographer, instructor, and social influencer based in Toronto, Canada who is trained in Bollywood, Classical Indian (Bharatanatyam, Kathak), Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Jazz. She is the owner and director of the popular YouTube channel 'dancewithSL' that features dance covers to latest Bollywood hits and tutorial videos, and is also the creative force behind the YouTube viral sensation 'Maafi' - the Bollywood cover of Justin Bieber's - 'Sorry.'