Universal Womens Network™

IWD Panel - Inspiring Change
2023-03-08 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Edmonton) | ON
Celebrating International Women’s Day
We invite you to join us to panel discussions with leaders from Canada, USA, UK and India from diverse industries sharing their unique perspectives and insights:
International Women’s Day Panels feature changemakers from diverse industries and backgrounds. Join as our panelists represent the authentic voices of female entrepreneurs, founders, industry experts and business leaders sharing their vulnerabilities, experiences and hopes to inspire change for the future.
Date: IWD Event – March 8, 2023
Time: 9:00 am MST | 11:00 am EST * All panels will be live and include networking at the top of each hour. **If you are joining a panel, join at the top of the hour prior to the networking/ breaks. Entry to will not be permitted 5 min past the hour to avoid interrupting the panels.

Panel 1 – 9:00 MST | 11:00 pm EST
Panel 2 – 10:00 pm MST 12:00 pm EST
Panel 3 – 11:00 pm MST | 1:00 pm EST

REGISTER. The link to join the event will be emailed day prior,
Inspiring Change Panel
Our International Women’s Day Panels feature changemakers from diverse industries and backgrounds. Join as our panelists represent women entrepreneurs, founder, industry experts and business leaders sharing their vulnerabilities, experiences and hopes to inspire change for the future.
Panel Topics

Embracing equality – Building a More Equitable Future
Allyship – Inviting Men to The Conversation
Leadership – Burnout, Challenges and Successes

Panel 1 – 9:00 am MST | 11:00 am EST

Welcome + Intro
Panel Discussion – 9:15 am MST | 11:00 am EST

Panel 2 – 10:00 am MST | 12:00 pm EST

Networking Break 10 min
Panel Discussion – 10:15 MST | 12:15 pm EST

Panel 3 – 11:00 am MST | 1:00 pm EST

Networking Break 10 Min
Panel Discussion – 11:15 MST 1:15 pm EST

All panels will be live and include networking at the top of each hour. **If you are joining a panel, join at the top of the hour prior to the networking.
Inspire Change – Panel 1 – 9:00 am MST | 11:00 am EST

Andrea Carter is a Neuroscience-based Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Senior Consultant & Strategist. Andrea holds her Master of Industrial & Organizational Psychology and has created the only validated organizational belongingness instrument that accurately measures and tactically impacts corporate culture, governance and performance. The Belonging-First methodology that she has created over the past 7 years provides sustainable, measurable and cultural impact with direct results to organizational performance and employee engagement.

Carrie Purcell is Vice President, Digital & Games at Relish Studios in Toronto, an interactive studio creating games, apps, websites and animation productions. She hosts the MetaVersed Podcast, co-founded Tech Adaptika, an award-winning Startup building the metaverse for education and she founded InsightResearch.tech, an R&D consultancy helping tech companies at every stage in the innovation cycle.

Susan Odle is a technology executive with 25+ years of global experience across sales, channels, professional services and operations. She’s earned the moniker “Fixer” based on multiple profitability turnaround successes. Susan was named one of the top 50 women in SaaS in 2020 and sits on the board of the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition. Susan is a proud solo mom committed to health and wellness.

Aimée Foreman is the Founder & CEO of Silvermark – an advisory firm for the silver economy. As an accomplished entrepreneur, and award-winning thought leader, she is committed to bringing equity to aging through her writing, speaking, and collaborations by placing older adults at the centre of decision-making.
Inspire Change – Panel 2 – 10:00 am MST | 12:00 pm EST

Siobhan Calderbank is an experienced HR Executive and Founder of Butterfly Ladies Mentoring Program. She’s a keynote speaker, recognized expert in leadership and change management, DEI advocate and award-winning author. She’s a Women of Inspiration, Top 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women and Top Female Visionary of the Year. 2019 Women of Inspiration™ Award Recipient.

Dr. Vanessa Farsadaki is the preeminent thought-leader towards advancing the discipline of Space Medicine. A proud American citizen of Greek descent and a Medical Doctor, Dr. V as she is known colloquially, is on-track to become Greece’s first-ever Astronaut in history. She is a scuba diver, a pilot in training and a skydiver and fluent in 18 languages. 2022 Women of Inspiration™ Award Recipient.
Reetu Gupta- Ambassadress and CO-Chair The Gupta Group
The Gupta Group portfolio of businesses, including Easton’s Group of Hotels, Gupta Group Developments, Rogue Insight Capital, The Gupta Family Foundation, and Gupta Group Mining, represents one of the most diverse, unique portfolios in Canada. The Easton’s Group of Hotels is one of Canada’s largest private hotel development firms currently with 18 hotels across Canada and 7 more under development. 2022 Women of Inspiration™ Award Recipient.

Marija Pavkovic- Tovissi is the Founder and CEO of MaKami College, one of the largest Alberta-based Private Vocational Colleges. She is a serial entrepreneur and sits on the board of directors for multiple companies. Marija has been widely recognized for her success in business. She is an advocate for many and active philanthropist in her community. 2018 Women of Inspiration™ Award Recipient.
PANEL 3 – 11:00 am MST | 1:00 pm EST

Evangeline Chima is the founder and executive director of Black Mentorship Inc. (BMI) – an organization dedicated to fostering the professional growth and personal expansion of Black professionals through education, mentorship, and skills building. BMI was born from her experiences with systemic racism and bias as a Black professional woman in Canada. Evangeline is an inspirator.

Nicole Kyle is a storyteller and gender equity advocate exploring the intersection of money, equality, technology, and creativity. Nicole is a 2022 LinkedIn Top Voice in Gender Equity and hosts I Also Want Money podcast. Nicole is a contributor to Blockchain Friends Forever (BFF), which focuses on crypto and web3 education and financial inclusion.

Padmini Navalgund has 23 years of experience in SW development for Automotive sector, currently she is the only woman of the 10 members cohort who have been selected for Indian Administrative fellow Designate for the State of Punjab in India to work with Principal Secretary. She is the Confederation of Indian Industry -Indian Women Network Council member for flagship program Peer to Peer Coaching. She is married and blessed with two kids. 2022 Women of Inspiration™ Award Recipient.

UNSTOPPABLE TRACY MBA, BEd, BRLS – Tracy Schmitt is a motivational speaker and Expert on Disarming Limiting Beliefs, seen in the Oprah Magazine with 60 million viral video views, TEDx speaker, World Cup Sailor, climbed the Himalaya Mountains, TV HOST, Bestselling Author and Canada Hall of Fame Inductee as an Honoured Humanitarian. 2019 Women of Inspiration™ Award Recipient.

SupportHER Day - Be a Visible SupportHER
2023-05-05 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Toronto) | Virtual
We are declaring June 2 International SupportHER Day!
According to the United Nations Progress on the Sustainability Development Goals, it will take 286 years to close the global gender gap. Women’s representation in positions of power and decision-making remains below parity. We need visible representation at all levels where decisions are made.
Now more than ever, it is critical for everyone to play a role to champion women. Our SupportHERs (male allies), play a critical role.
The BCG Gender Diversity Survey reported male involvement in Gender Diversity Programs is strongly correlated with Progress toward gender diversity.

· 96% reported their company made good progress towards gender diversity in the past three years when men are involved.
· 30% who reported men are not involved.

By recognizing the achievements of women, you value their contribution, bring awareness to industries underrepresented by women, and elevate leaders (at all levels) and positions of power to what is possible.
Join Us
Join us for a discussion with CEOs and business leaders across diverse industries representing all genders to inspire change in our networks, communities and workplaces.
Time: 9:00 am MST | 11:00 am EST (60 minutes)
Location – Click here to register to join this Virtual Event
Did you know?

With a diverse board slate (3+ diverse candidates), financial results improve.
CNN’S (Oct. 2019) S&P Global Market Intelligence Review, highlighted that women publicly traded CEOs/CFOs were more profitable and produced better stock performance.
For the first time since the Fortune 500 list began 68 years ago, more than 10% of CEOs leading Fortune 500 Companies were women. While women are representing a record enrolment in top MBA schools (41% in 20212) and represent 50% of the population, the numbers aren’t impressive. Great change is needed to support women at all levels and change the numbers.

The Universal Womens Network™ believes everyone plays a role to advance women. We are challenging everyone to take one action to advance a woman in your network workplace and community. Be a visible SupportHER™ and inspire change to achieve equality. We must celebrate positive change, break barriers and take action to inspire change.
We believe everyone plays a role to SupportHER™!
Who is a SupportHER? A SupportHER™ is a champion (male or female, all genders) who promotes the success and advancement of women in their networks, workplaces and communities.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Take one action (or more) to SupportHER™
Share your story with us on social media about your SupportHERs
Nominate a Woman or SupportHER deserving of recognition
Acknowledge the SupportHERs who have supported you on your journey!

Help spread the word in your network. Tag us on social #SupportHERDay #Inspirechange

Challenge your employees to participate.
Lead by example in your industry to inspire change.
Promote SupportHER culture of allyship.
Support your company goals and initiatives for EDI (equal pay, flexible work environments, removing biases, providing training and opportunities for leadership development).
Create Supplier Diversity Programs for women-owned businesses and visible minorities.
Invest in women-owned businesses, and buy from women.
Write a referral or testimonial, sponsor, and make introductions to key stakeholders.
Be a champion when she is not in the room.
Host diverse panels to include women and men.
Educate yourself on others by having a conversation.

Contact us about sponsorship, programs or ways to engage your workforce.
SupportHER™ ally is a champion (male or female, all gender
Source
1 Jan. 12, 2023 Fortune article https://fortune.com/2023/01/12/fortune-500-companies-ceos-women-10-percent/
2 Nov 12, 2021 Time article https://time.com/6116802/women-business-school-record/

Virtual Networking Experience
2025-06-06 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Edmonton) | ON
🌍 Virtual Networking Experience – Stepping into the Spotlight🌍
Calling all female founders, entrepreneurs, business executives, and success-driven leaders—your network is your power! This is your opportunity to build meaningful connections, collaborate, and grow with a dynamic community of influential professionals.
It’s Awards season!!!!
Let’s Talk About Stepping Into the Spotlight
We’re in the business of empowering women—✨ Telling their stories✨ Celebrating their successes✨ Creating space to connect, learn, and lead together
At our next Virtual Networking Experience, we’re diving into a powerful theme: Stepping Into the Spotlight 🌟
This conversation is about:🔥 Owning your accomplishments🔥 Building your personal brand🔥 Creating your legacy
If you’re a woman on a mission to make an impact in the world—this is for you.
🗓️ Save the Date | 🎟️ Register Now (See the link below)
Expand Your Influence. Strengthen Your Network. Lead with Impact.
Join us for engaging virtual networking experiences designed to:
💡 Gain Insights & Inspiration – Learn from industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers.🤝 Build Meaningful Connections – Engage in breakout sessions for authentic, high-value conversations.🚀 Strengthen Your Network – Surround yourself with ambitious, like-minded leaders who support and elevate each other.🌟 Unlock New Opportunities – Grow your business, share your expertise, and collaborate with top professionals.
📅 Ongoing Virtual Events📍 Join from Anywhere
Your next big opportunity starts with who you know. Let’s build success together!
🔗 Reserve Your Spot Today! Event links will be emailed to attendees at 8:00 am MST (one hour prior) on the day of the event.
Virtual Networking events are free for members! Become a Member.

VIP Sip and Shop (Invite Only)
2025-11-13 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) | Dean Davidson Boutique, Toronto, ON, Canada
Women of Inspiration™ Awards
Sip & Shop with Dean Davidson
Our Official Jeweller Partner
Join us for an unforgettable private evening of celebration, style, and connection. Behind the scenes, we’ll gather with Women of Inspiration™ Awardees and Alumni to celebrate women, our collective impact, and the driving force to inspire change across all industries.
🍷 Sip – Enjoy curated beverages in great company💎 Shop – Explore timeless designs from Dean Davidson, our Official Jeweller Partner🌟 Celebration Panel – Honour women’s achievements and leadership🤝 Connect – Build meaningful relationships in an intimate setting🎬 Exclusive Access – Experience a behind-the-scenes tour
This is a private event. Space is limited. Invited guests are invited to RSVP below.
👉 RSVP below to secure your spot.
