Why Aren’t We Celebrating Women ALL YEAR LONG?!
I woke up this morning feeling so inspired. After a flurry of email messages, social media posts and good vibes from my colleagues, family and friends yesterday I was feeling all of the “I am woman, hear me roar” feels. Basking in the after glow of International Women’s Day this past week, I’ve been reflecting on all of the inspiring and accomplished women that I have met and worked with over the years at L-SPARK.
These ladies are making tidal waves of change and impact in our community every day! So I thought I’d take a few minutes to highlight some of their amazing work and recent accomplishments.
Cigdem Binal, NYC Director of Investor Relations — L-SPARK
Cigdem, a powerhouse business development expert for startups in the L-SPARK portfolio, was recently selected to be a 2017 Women inPower Fellow. Cigdem has joined a select group of female leaders including Senior Executives from Facebook, Etsy, The Muse, NBC Universal in this unique opportunity to affect change and create cross-sector collaboration at the C level.
Dr. Lindy Ledohowski, CEO — EssayJack
An impressive and tenacious L-SPARK Alum, Lindy was recently named a Finalist in the Female Entrepreneur of the Year in Canada category in the 13th annual Stevie® Awards for Women in Business. EssayJack was also selected in 2016 as a finalist for the British Council and Cambridge English’s ELTons Awards in Digital Innovation.
Jane Wang, CEO — Optimity
Recently featured in Techcrunch as a newly minted founder in the 500 Startups investment portfolio, Jane is taking Silicon Valley by storm with her corporate wellness and habit building platform — lowering risk for chronic diseases for employees everywhere.
Jenna Sudds, Executive Director — Kanata North Business Association
Championing the mantra #serioustechlives here, Jenna has been an unstoppable advocate for Ottawa’s technology community. At the helm of Canada’s largest technology park, Jenna was recently recognized as one of the economic development profession’s top 40 Under 40.
Jennifer Francis, Executive Director — Capital Angel Network
In 2015 Jennifer launched the Technovation Challenge in Ottawa, a global program offering girls around the world the opportunity to learn the skills they need to emerge as tech entrepreneurs and leaders. Over a period of 12 weeks, 150+ Ottawa girls, ages 10 to 18 learn to create a mobile app and complete a fully launched business. Teams are mentored by a women in tech from IBM, Pythian, Shopify, L-Spark and more.
Natalie Cody, Cofounder — The Better Software Company
Over the course of her career, Natalie has started a number of local businesses with her husband Steve and generated over $260 million in sales to date. Now, Natalie is focusing on inspiring a new generation of young entrepreneurs to go out and start a business. In 2016 Natalie launched the BBetter Foundation, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, to teach youth the fundamental business and personal skills to run a business.
Sarah Daniele, CEO — Mydoma Studio
Sarah is another L-SPARK Alumni! Not to mention a new mom to the most adorable little boy! As a graduate from Algonquin’s Bachelor of Applied Arts in Interior Design Program in 2009 Sarah was recently inspired to launch a program to educate students in Interior Decorating programs to become well equipped entrepreneurs. The program, launching in Universities and Colleges across Canada, arms students with the technical tools and skills that they need to run their future design businesses.
I am fortunate to continue to be surrounded by this amazing group of female innovators, entrepreneurs, CEOs, mentors and changemakers everyday.
But, as I added more and more of these fierce females to the above list it occurred to me…
What happens after the dust settles from International Women’s Day? What is being done to keep the conversation of women’s accomplishments alive?
In the media, I’ll continue to read the headlines about celebrity activists like Sheryl Sandberg, Arianna Huffington and of course millennial superstar Lena Dunham.
Inspiring.. SO inspiring.
But what about the women that I know and can relate to? What about the everyday people from the chilly suburbs of Kanata all the way through to the east and west coasts of Canada that are moving mountains in our own backyards?
So I thought I’d start sharing more of these incredible stories. Over the coming weeks and months I’ll be releasing interviews that profile female founders, investors and CEOs from our community.
So ladies, watch out — I’m comin’ for you!
