SPECIAL GUEST: Maria Locker is an advocate and champion for the advancement of female
entrepreneurs across North America, and is a sought after speaker, contributor,
and expert surrounding topics including economic empowerment for women
entrepreneurs and small business trends. As the Founder & CEO
of Mompreneurs®, Maria works with her team to foster community, promotion,
and education to their collective of over 23,000 members and subscribers across
Canada and the U.S., a diverse collective of female entrepreneurs who are just
as dedicated to their businesses as they are to their families, and vice versa.
Maria’s expertise has been featured in Maclean’s, The Huffington Post,
ParentsCanada Magazine, and Canadian Business, and she has appeared in a
wide variety of national television and radio programs to offer insights and
expertise, including The Marilyn Denis Show, Canada AM, CBC, Breakfast
Television, Global News, CHCH Morning Live, and NewsTalk 1010.

Monica is the Founder and CEO of  Universal Womens Network™, Women of Inspiration™ Awards, The Nest Foundation™ and SupportHER ™ elevating male leaders who champion women in their networks, workplaces, and communities, MentorHER™ Mentorship Program, and Host and Producer of Women of Inspiration™ Podcast.

The Universal Womens Network™ is a global platform committed to gender equality by raising the bar to advance women in their network, workplace, and communities.

Monica is a native Calgarian, visionary, speaker, and serial entrepreneur. She is committed to Raising the Bar to move the needle to advance women in business and life. Universal Womens Network strategically partners and works with like-minded organizations that align with values, courage, confidence, commitment, and integrity and committed to gender equality, and diversity. Monica fosters a network of connection, diversity, collaboration, support, education, innovation, recognition, and mentorship that inspires 21, 000 members, and subscribers. Universal Womens Network™, has been featured in Stand Out Publications, HOLR Magazine, CTV, Global News, QR770News, Breakfast Television, numerous national and international podcasts, and publications, Monica’s mission is to inspire women to lead with a purpose and prosper in business and life.

Monica is an inspirational speaker, visionary, serial entrepreneur, 2019 Business in Calgary Leader, 2019 UN Women’s Initiative Award Recipient, 2013 Alberta Flood Hero by the Premier of Alberta, featured in the book the “The Rising” by Tyler Lambert, 2017 Women Build Ambassador, External Mentor for Pilot Global Marriott’s Women in Leadership Program, and Higher Landing Grizzly Panel and judge.  She is active in her community as a mentor (youth and women in business), advisor, advocate, master connector, inspirational speaker, and passionate for diversity and making a difference in the lives of others.

Since launching in 2014, Monica has broken traditional barriers and silos by embracing collaboration and diversity.  In five short years, Monica has built a recognizable National brand across Canada and spearheaded partnerships with government agencies, non-profits, venture capitalists, and women’s organizations.  In 2015, Monica created Women of Inspiration™ Awards to recognize a woman who helped her overcome adversity and a life-changing Seven Journey in the justice system with 4800 hundred hours of litigation, 22 days of trial, and 56 + court appearances. Monica’s personal story of resilience was the fuel to create Women of Inspiration to honour one woman, her lawyer. Women of Inspiration celebrates, recognizes, and inspire women across Canada who lead by example and inspire others to be more and do more. In 2019, Monica celebrated her 6t^h-year milestone as a national platform awarded over 150 Women of Inspiration across Canada.  Women of Inspiration™ celebrated over 700+ women since 2015. Monica produced over 80 + events, interviewed hundreds of women. Monica believes your story does not define you, it empowers you!