Belanie Dishong
No silver linings, no happen chance opportunities, Belanie Dishong created it all one dot at a time. Not in spite of rather inclusive of her own life’s obstacles, limitations, adversities, and near tragedies. Author, International Keynote Speaker, Coach, Founder/CEO of Live at Choice LLC, Starfisher Academy of Coaches, & Radio Show Host: Women-Heart to Heart. Belanie has an extraordinary way of reaching deep into the heart to bring out the magic in each and every person she touches. After you hear her, you too will come to know her as“Keeper of the Heart.”

Carrie Irvine
Carrie Irvine, Owner, Blackbird Communications loves what she does—and it shows! She is passionate about marketing and design, whether she is working for one of the premier shopping centres in the City or a small business on the cusp of something BIG! She’s been on the client side, so she knows what it’s like to call the shots. As a Marketing Director at St. Laurent and Place d’Orleans Shopping Centres, her role encompassed advertising, public relations, tenant relations, special events and customer service. She’s been in your shoes, so she knows what it’s like to own your own business. As a business owner of several different companies including Laura’s Corner, Home Furnishings & Decor and Core Communications, Carrie knows the value of having someone experienced on your team who can handle anything. Destination marketing is her specialty—she has worked with many of the city’s attractions and festivals, collaborated with hotels and convention facilities and served as a Director on the board of the ORTC (Ottawa Rural Tourism Council). For marketing ideas that INSPIRE action and make you STAND OUT, call Blackbird. You will get BIG ideas, FRESH insight and BOLD results.

Cara Rose-Brown
Passionate about personal development and finding out who she truly was from the inside out, Cara Rose-Brown has followed a life long path towards self improvement, self awareness and self knowledge. Cara’s keynotes and workshops offer a natural and inspiring approach to personal and professional development. As a founding partner of Ignite Potentials Training Inc., Cara offers customized workshops, keynote speeches and individual coaching sessions that inspire and motivate people to become aware of their true essence, passion and purpose in life. As an author and a self made millionaire, Cara attributes her success to her indepth knowledge and use of the Universal Laws which she incorporates into all of her training and coaching. Cara continues to develop her knowledge and skills by studying and working with incredible teachers such as Christopher Walker, Deepak Chopra, Bob Proctor, John Assaraf, Les Brown, T. Harv Eker, Mark Victor Hansen, Jack Canfield, and many others. Her 20 years experience within the high-tech, public and private sectors have given Cara the opportunity to travel the globe developing and delivering customized training to diversified global audiences. Cara is the Author of “Messnger” a book written for youth in chat language, and Co-Author of “Wake Up and Live the Life You Love”, with Dr. Wayne Dyer.

Cindy Almond
Although I am employed full-time as a Training Advisor with the federal government, I have always had a passion for fitness. I am also a CanFitPro certified Personal Trainer and a few years ago became acquainted with Pole Dancing as a form of fitness and instantly fell in love. When Sensually Active decided to offer business opportunities to other like-minded women, I thought it was an excellent opportunity to get fit, have fun, and meet other great sensual women. Being a Sensually Active business partner provides me the opportunity to get in touch with my womanhood and celebrate my sensuality!

Heather MacLachlan
In January 2009 Heather sold her catering business. She had spent twenty years as co-founder/co-owner of Epicuria Catering taking the business to $1.4M in annual sales. In 2007 Heather was recognized in the Ottawa Business community winning the Business Woman of the Year Award in the Entrepreneur Category given by the Women’s Business Network of Ottawa. True to her entrepreneurial spirit Heather begins again, building her second career in fundraising. “This will combine my entrepreneurial skills, my volunteer experience on executive boards and fundraising, a new education in Fund Management, plus the joy of speaking from my heart”. It feels new, however it is built on experience.

Jen Hunter
For over sixteen years Jen Hunter has worked with and acted as a leader to create positive and engaging futures. In the past year, Hunter has twice received the nomination to run as the Ottawa Centre Candidate in her riding. In addition to a deep commitment to a vital and prosperous Canada, Jen knows Ottawa is a wonderful home, and a dynamic place to work and play! She invests a great deal of her time in developing local leadership capacity with Leadership Ottawa. She brings a clear and action-oriented approach to create more balance in parliament in her role as Vice Chair of Equal Voice (National Capital Region). She is also a professor at Algonquin College with the Green Business Management Post-Graduate Program.

Her role as a software executive provided her with solid insight into how Canada can prosper in the global economy. As a small business owner, she appreciates the challenges and opportunities involved in providing high quality services while making a living. Jen has worked with public, private and not-for-profit organizations around the world and brings an awareness that value-driven leadership is central to organizational success. Jen speaks at conferences in her field, leading provocative sessions in facilitation and group process, systems thinking and leadership. She is well known for her warm and approachable manner. As she canvassed in the fall of 2008, she was told this will serve her well in the role of elected official.

Jacqueline Richards
Dealing with personal financial hardships has an impact on your physical well-being, personal wealth, and dreams.  Whether you are 19, 29, 49, or 79 years young, join Jacqueline Richards, Mortgage Consultant & Author of Yoga For Your Personal Finances to balance your Health, Wealth, & Spirit. Evaluate your 7 financial chakra energy centers that can reward, discourage, or immobilize you. On many levels, we are a Nation over-stressed and out of balance. Do you fear your financial, health & spiritual future & want to stop living with more MONTH than MONEY? Begin to build joy with Yoga for Your Personal Finances! For over seven years, Jacqueline is a mortgage consultant in the Ottawa region helping people find their personal mortgage and borrowing strategies. From first time home buyers, to single parent families, to real estate investors, these and many more clients find her seminars, personal service, and tenacity priceless. Jacqueline supports women in business & is a proud participant on the Prime Ministers Task Force on Female Entrepreneurs and past co-chair of Canadian Women in Communication (NCR). As the author of “Yoga for Your Personal Finances”, the book represents stories that she and clients experienced. Jacqueline is a Y group fitness volunteer and teaches Hatha Yoga.

Laura Booker
Laura Booker is a mompreneur with drive and ambition. Laura has owned and operated her own successful consulting business for the last 5 years. With a background in international trade and project management, Laura has travelled the world representing industries such as aerospace, agriculture, geomatics, retail and much more. Laura’s specialty is developing Word of Mouth marketing strategies that help her clients increase sales and overall business success. Laura shares her experiences and leadership on stage and in the class room as she is often called on to do public speaking engagements and presentations. As the Executive Managing Director for eWomen Network Ottawa Chapter, Laura’s network reaches all corners of the globe and her energy and passion shines through when it comes to the advancement of female entrepreneurship.

Leslie Eisener
With over 20 years experience in the Information Technology and Computing Industry, Leslie Eisener has been successfully honing her business acumen with some of the largest global technology companies today. With an MBA under her belt and a gift for public speaking, Leslie took the challenge to teach the life strategies that she had been learning and practicing for many years. Once over 100 pounds overweight and stuck in a stagnant holding pattern, she had a strong sense that there was more to life and underwent a major life transformation. Through an insatiable thirst for answers about how to achieve bigger and better results, she stepped into a leaner healthier body and soared to bigger and better results financially, socially and spiritually. Her journey has given her a formula for success that works in all aspects of life and her greatest desire is to teach others how to achieve their best results and reach their highest potential. Leslie is now putting her personal and entrepreneurial experience to use as a founding partner of Ignite Potentials Training Inc. to bring hope and solutions to people searching for a system that will help them reach their highest potential. Her greatest joy is to witness profound transformations in others as they realize their greatest dreams. Leslie delivers customized workshops, keynote speeches and group coaching sessions that give people the tools they need to get what they want out of life.

Lisa Lajoie
Lisa LaJoie, a Master Intuitive and Business Strategist and Professional speaker recognized for her ability to tap into her intuition and deliver a dynamic and straight from the hip practical approach for her client’s personal and business successes. Lisa has worked with a broad spectrum of companies and individuals, from Fortune 500 companies such as Ericsson and Merck Frost to small independently owned start-ups. Lisa is fully committed to guiding her clients to manifest their personal ambitions and dreams with absolute passion and has devoted over 20 years to developing her talents and serving people from all walks of life. Lisa is President and Founder of Tapping Into It and Doing Whatever It Takes and is certified in many spiritual studies, Reiki Master, Visionary Mastery and certified Rev Dr. Of Metaphysical and Enlightenment teachings.

Lisa Larter
Lisa Larter is the President and Owner of The Lisa Larter Group which encompasses Parlez Wireless, an Authorized TELUS Dealership, and Lisa Larter Consulting. Lisa is passionate about Client Experience and teaching others how Systems, Social Media and attention to Results can make your own business succeed. Prior to opening her own business in 2006, she managed TELUS’ corporate retail chain with over 150 stores and supported up to 1000 team members nationally. Lisa was responsible for generating over 100 million dollars in sales during her last year with TELUS and generated over one million dollars in sales during her second year of operating her own business. Lisa has worked in the wireless industry for ten years and in retail for 25. Lisa is a proven management professional who can be credited with being part of the core team that launched the TELUS/Clearnet Corporate Stores sales channel in 1999. Lisa has a passion for leading and developing people. She is best known for being a retail subject matter expert who is passionate about creating outstanding client experiences while maximizing retail sales and profits through keen attention to detail and implementation of successful systems. Lisa has an innate ability to quickly identify key ways to increase sales, improve client experiences and create operational efficiencies. In addition, Lisa shares her expertise at the Ottawa Entrepreneurship Center, is President of Orleans Women’s Business Connections, member of eWomen Network and the Orleans Chamber of Commerce. She believes in giving where you live, and has supported local causes such as Samantha’s Wish, Habitat for Humanity and the United Way. She is an energetic and dynamic presenter who keeps her audiences captivated.

Lisa McKenzie
Lisa McKenzie is the Founder of Divas Do It Socially™ and Deserving Divas™, both thriving networks for creating opportunities for women. Featuring innovative lifestyle events, their motto “Ladies, welcome to your playground!” perfectly represents Lisa’s flair for having fun and a lot of ‘moxie’. Having an intuitive passion for community and building relationships has contributed to her success as a Certified Social Media Strategist and Joint Venture Specialist. She has been the spark that ignited countless strategic partnerships and fueled the community growth for her clients across North America. She is a founding member of the International Social Media Association, speaker, trainer and consultant in new media. Voted a Noisemaker of the year by the Montreal Mirror, her thirst for adventure is truly contagious as she inspires others to join along.

Lorraine Mastersmith
Lorraine K. Mastersmith is a Partner in the Business Law Group at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP. A seasoned legal professional, Lorraine provides practical advice to her clients, helping them to organize and incorporate their companies, protect their brands, negotiate commercial agreements, expand into international markets and finance their ventures with banks, private lenders and all forms of equity investors. Recently nominated as a 2009 Deloitte Woman of Influence, Lorraine’s commitment to excellence extends into the community through her volunteer efforts with the United Way, the Canadian Athletes Now Fund, and coaching her two children in soccer, basketball and life. Lorraine mentors young lawyers both within her law firm and as part of a new Ontario Bar Association initiative. She is keen to advance the interests of women entrepreneurs through her position on the Board of Directors of Women Entrepreneurs of Canada, and her memberships with the Women’s Executive Network and CATA – Women in Technology. Lorraine is a Committee Member of the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation’s 45th Circuit, an active member of Toastmasters International – Message Masters Group, and Past Executive Member of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, Ottawa Chapter. In addition to playing hockey, golf and basketball, Lorraine enjoys fitness training, pilates and yoga. Lorraine is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association, the County of Carleton Law Association, the Institute of Corporate Directors, the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association and the National Angel Capital Organization.

Mary Cavanagh
A Director at one of the largest high-tech companies on the globe, and a Founder of Ignite Potentials Training Inc., Mary Cavanagh has conducted business in 5 continents and with a multitude of cultures. Mary attributes her success to her in-depth understanding and application of the Universal Laws. With a demanding career, a new company and a young family, Mary has mastered the balance between work and home. Against all odds, Mary broke through many barriers and challenges to become a successful entrepreneur and believes that everyone has the potential for greatness. Passionate about helping people achieve success in all areas of their life, Mary works with individuals to help them uncover their unique gifts, strengths and potentials. As a lifetime student and teacher, Mary is committed to sharing her profound knowledge and skills in order for her and others to make a difference in this world for the betterment of all. Mary has studied from a number of great teachers including Earl Nightingale, Stephen Covey, Christopher Walker, Bob Proctor, John Assaraf, and Deepak Chopra to name a few, each of whom have had a very significant influence in her life.

Maryse Senecal
Maryse Senécal is a certified personal trainer, a nutritional counselor and a certified orthotherapist. Her fascination and expertise with the body’s movement and engineering systems led her to combine all her disciplines to create Myo-precision where her mission is to teach and coach business women to take control of their health so they can have the vitality and energy to meet the demands of their growing business.

Moneca Kaiser
Moneca was a pioneer in the field of carpentry for women. Shortly after competing formal carpentry apprenticeship she founded Moneca Kaiser Design Build. A visionary, award winning, very well respected, full service home renovation company known for it’s innovative designs, outstanding service and commitment to environmental ethics and multiple bottom line business practices.

Business is one of her passions and she is on a personal mission to model how socially responsible business can and is healing the world, as always, leading by example.  “I have set up my business so I love what I do, I never have to compromise my values or ethics and it’s wonderfully creative and kind. I take business very personally and only do business with friends.”

Moneca’s deep sense of social responsibility guides all her actions; she has demonstrated her commitment to building community and finding harmony in all of her endeavors. Creativity is her trademark in both professional and volunteer activities.

Natasha D’Souza
Natasha D’Souza is the founder of Virtual EyeSee, a Social Media Agency. She has been involved in social media for the past six years and her passion for new trends keeps her exploring these new and emerging technologies.

Natasha has had over 13 years of hi-tech experience working for fortune 500, mid-sized and start-up companies. Her experience in the private and public sectors has given her the opportunity to work in marketing, project management, business development and sales. She has a degree in Electrical Engineering. She works with large, mid-sized and small companies to improve business communications through the use of social media. She inspires them to build online communities and have a conversation with their audience.

Rebecca Happy

Rebecca is a briefcase Goddess, mother, life fanatic, and is learning to live her life to the fullest to be a beacon for those around her, especially her kids. She loves learning and passing on what she knows to help others to get what they want. In business terms this would be marketing and connecting. She believes in abundance and that all people have a gift that the world is waiting to receive. She is a social media specialist for small biz and non-profit organizations.

Robin Bailey
Robin Bailey is passionate about helping people create time and space in their lives for what really matters. Her business is “Emerging Order” a service company providing office and home organizing solutions to busy, overwhelmed professionals. Robin’s customized, partnership approach is a unique blend of coaching, strategies, proven processes and hands-on support for her clients’ individual needs that helps them take action on their clutter and organizing challenges. The result – more time, improved spaces, greater ease. Robin is a member of the Professional Organizers in Canada (POC), working within POC’s code of ethics.  A long-time community volunteer, she currently supports entrepreneurs with her expertise and office organizing workshops at OCRI’s Entrepreneurial Centre. Robin is President of Women’s Network of Ottawa (WNO) and is a member of eWN.

Sue McGarvie
Sue McGarvie is a Clinical Sex and Relationship Therapist with a background in reproductive medicine and psychology. She is a leading expert on women and libido, and has been described by Oxygen as “North America’s funniest therapist”. She has been a talk show host for over ten years on both television and radio, and now hosts a new syndicated show called “Love, Lust and Lipstick”. Sue is the author of three books on relationships including her newly launched booked called The Libido Diet about sex drive, hormones and obesity, as Sue herself lost over 100 pounds and re-discovered her toes. Sue McGarvie head’s the Ottawa Libido and Menopause Clinic  and is a leading North American expert at helping women manage hormones and kick start flagging libidos. As a sex and relationship therapist, Sue and her staff work with women and couples to save marriages, increase intimacy, and balance hormones. Sue’s Connecting Couples and Sex Skills workshops are held in cities across North America, and have resulted in a new book called The Ethical Hedonist about how to keep marriages sexy, while maintaining integrity. The Ottawa Libido Clinic works with Nutrichem compounding Pharmacy to optimize health and fine tune bio-identical hormones.

Susan Blain
Susan Blain is Director of Marketing and Sales at Ottawa Business Journal. For over 20 years she has built strategies to help maximize sales for companies here in Ottawa and abroad. Susan regularly emcees OBJ’s Mayor’s Breakfast Series and for the past 3 years has co-hosted a local talk radio show on Team 1200 called FourPlay.

Valerie Yersh
Valerie Yersh masterfully works with the Power of the Future to be successful. She has created a Children’s CD: Magical Meditations for Kids that helps them to relax and fall asleep feeling good about their future. She knows how to connect you to your brightest and ideal future so you feel excited now about where you are going and who you are becoming. She walks her talk. She has used the Power of the Future to heal her life, including a life threatening illness, bulimia, anorexia, and a life long battle with her weight. She is founder of Conversations About the Future, and co-founder of Future Weavers. She is co-authoring Future Weaving, The Ultimate Success Skill.

Zandra Bell
Writer, corporate motivational humorist, and Global television “Woman of Vision” award winner, Zandra Bell is the driving force behind the innovative “infotainment” company, “at wit’s end”, specializing in customized motivational presentations specifically geared to your business environment. It started out as a creative sideline but eventually, as the demand for her public speaking talents increased, Zandra resigned from her thirteen year career as a regional director with the federal government to pursue her new venture on a full time basis. Now she travels internationally delivering your corporate messages, visions and philosophy in her own unique, high energy, professional style. She is also the author of the comedy