Worthy South Island Agenda

7:30
AM

Registration

Venue: Foyer

Gain insights from thought leaders on essential topics such as leadership, mental health, financial literacy, and entrepreneurialism.

Suzanne Hedges

8:00
AM

Healthy Start

Venue: Foyer

Engage in deep exploration and problem-solving within smaller groups, fostering meaningful connections and collaborative solutions.

Networking Time

Suzanne Hedges

9:00
AM

Emcee

Venue: Main Room

EMCEE

Rachael Segal

9:00
AM

Intro & Blessing

Venue: Main Room

Blessing

Jennifer Daniels (TBD)

9:15
AM

Founder Story

Venue: Main Room

Opening Remarks

Kelsey Pringle

9:30
AM

Plenary

Venue: Main Room

Facing Mental Health Head On

Dr. Shahana Alibhai

10:30
AM

Mid-morning C/T

Venue: Foyer

Engage in deep exploration and problem-solving within smaller groups, fostering meaningful connections and collaborative solutions.

Suzanne Hedges

10:45
AM

Workshop

Venue: Room 303

Simplify Work with AI: How to Go From Overwhelmed to Empowered, One Task at a Time

Description:

Feeling overwhelmed by AI? Wondering if you’re falling behind with all the hype? Here’s the truth: you’re not,—and you don’t need to be an expert to start seeing meaningful results. Women are uniquely suited to excel with AI, and now is the perfect time to step into this space with confidence. Whether you’ve dabbled with ChatGPT before or you’re brand new, this hands-on session will guide you step by step to get started, and continue with confidence.

Bring your laptop, a ChatGPT account, and dive into practical, actionable strategies to make AI work for you. Discover how to pinpoint tasks where AI can deliver immediate results — to help you work smarter, boost productivity, and get more sh** done with less effort.

By the end of this session, you’ll have the tools, strategies, and confidence to leverage AI into your workflows and take control of your time. Walk away feeling empowered, equipped, and ready to simplify your workload—one task at a time.

Jennifer Hufnagel

11:00
AM

Plenary

Venue: Plenary

Wellness Panel: Creating Workplaces That Support Women’s Health & Well-Being

Aeryon Ashlie

Harmony Ziegler

Dr. Shahana Alibhai

Linda Biggs

Taylor Gwynne

BC Mental Health Associaton

11:00
AM

Breakout

Venue: Room 307

The Modern Workplace Playbook: Building a Thriving Team

The workplace has changed forever. In a post-COVID world, employees expect more than just a paycheck—they want purpose, flexibility, and workplaces that align with their values. Add in the complexities of managing multi-generational teams, and small business owners face a unique challenge: how to attract and retain talent while navigating evolving expectations about work and its role in people’s lives. This engaging session will unpack what it takes to build a thriving team today, from addressing generational dynamics to meeting post-pandemic demands, all without a Fortune 500 budget. We’ll explore why investing in HR strategies is no longer optional—no matter how small your business—and how leveraging people practices can drive your success. You’ll leave with practical strategies and fresh perspectives to reimagine your workplace for the modern era.

Amber Jordan

11:00
AM

Breakout

Venue: Room 305

Finding your why and the unstoppable motivation of purpose and giving back.

Geena Jackson

11:00
AM

Breakout

Venue: Room 304

Financial Management for Women Entrepreneurs: how to grow and get funding

Nadine Shemilt

Tanya Hannen

12
NOON

LUNCH

Venue: Crooks Hall

Dense Breast Canada

Michelle Di Tomasso

1:00
PM

Breakout

Venue: Room 307

“Wealth Warriors: Unlocking Financial Power For Women”

Are you ready to take charge of your financial future and rewrite your money story? In this transformative session, Sandra will guide us through the myths and limiting beliefs that hold many women back from achieving true financial empowerment. Together, we will dismantle outdated narratives, reframe our relationship with money and align our financial strategies with our deepest life goals. This is your chance to catapult yourself into a space where wealth becomes a tool for living the life you’ve always envisioned.

Sandra Odgers

1:00
PM

Breakout

Venue: Room 305

The Prosperous Pivot: Navigating Career Transitions with Confidence

Craving something new and fresh in your work life? This will help. You don’t have to sacrifice your personal values to achieve professional goals. You can enjoy time for yourself, professional impact and income at the same time. First, we’ll take stock of what’s missing and what career satisfaction means to you now. Then we’ll get clear on what’s holding you back so you can step forward with fierce courage to take risks. Then we’ll audit your options to filter for the ones that check all your boxes: professional impact, freedom and finances, etc.. You’ll gain clarity, confidence and an action plan to boost prosperity, while protecting time for health, “fun” and rich relationships.

Amy Englemark

1:00
PM

Breakout

Venue: Room 304

The Funding Puzzle

Kelly Masson

1:00
PM

Panel

Venue: Plenary

Beyond the Buzzword: Building Wellness-Centered Cultures That Actually Work Discuss wellness at work through the lens of real experiences with anxiety, ADHD, and dyslexia—what makes initiatives effective and how wellness needs to be embedded into day-to-day operations, not just perks.

Jocelin Caldwell

Alana Marks

Angela Heathfield

Jennifer Woppenkamp

1:00
PM

Workshop

Venue: Room 303

“Workshop Building an 8-Week Automated Email and SMS Drip Campaign for International Expansion
Objective: Equip participants with the skills to create an 8-week automated email and SMS drip campaign that engages potential customers every 4-5 days, incorporating urgency through time-limited offers and clear calls to action. The workshop will address both product-based and service-based businesses aiming to expand and export to international markets.”

Kelsey Pringle

2:15
PM

Breakout

Venue: Room 307

“I Quit: Breaking Free from the 9-to-5 Safety Net to Start Your Own Business”

Workshop Description:
Are you dreaming of leaving the stability of your full-time job to start your own business but feel overwhelmed by the risks and uncertainty? In this workshop, we’ll explore the journey of taking the leap into entrepreneurship, the challenges of walking away from the safety net of employment, and how to build a business that reflects your passion and purpose.

Alexandra Carnio, a successful entrepreneur and CEO, will share her personal journey, from the pivotal moment of saying “I quit” to building a thriving business that supports hundreds of families. Whether you’re ready to make the leap or just starting to dream about it, this session will provide actionable insights, tools, and inspiration to empower you.

Alex Carnio

2:15
PM

Breakout

Venue: Room 305

TITLE: Hormonally Yours

At different points in our lives we can experience hormonal imbalance. From puberty to conception years, PMS, peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause. Understanding how to support your body at these times is essential to feeling and looking your best.

Join Founder of Aeryon Wellness and Nutritionist Aeryon Ashlie as we discuss everything hormonal!!

Takeaway points:

~ Why do hormones matter?
~ Learn about the 7 types of hormones and their roles.
~ Signs that your hormones are off balance.
~ Simple steps you can take to support your hormones.
~ Sleep, Weight Management, Hot Flashes and more

Aeryon Ashlie

2:15
PM

Breakout

Venue: Room 304

“Join Raven Lacerte, Co-Founder and Executive Director, for an engaging and interactive session on the Moose Hide Campaign, a grassroots movement dedicated to ending gender-based violence and is rooted in Indigenous teachings. We’ll explore the Campaign’s origins, its journey to where we are today, and how it has inspired individuals and communities to take action.

Through storytelling and optional discussion, we’ll examine the broader issues of gender-based violence, Indigenous medicine, and meaningful reconciliation, while providing practical ways to get involved. This session will foster reflection, dialogue, and shared learning as we walk the path toward safer communities for all.

Trigger Warning: This session will include discussions of gender-based violence, which may be sensitive for some attendees. Support resources are available on the MHC Website, and we encourage self-care as needed.

There will be time for questions, so come ready to engage, listen, and learn. Together, we can create change.”

Raven Lacerte

2:15
PM

Breakout

Venue: Plenary

Building Financial Confidence: Strategies for Growth & Stability

Jocelin Caldwell

Tammy Rae

Sandra Odgers

Kelly Masson

Nadine Shemilt

2:15
PM

Workshop

Venue: Room 303

Say Yes, Figure It Out Later
Our presentation will take the audience through our journey, starting from how we began to where we are today. We’ll include visuals to highlight the key points along the way:

How It All Started
The Product That Started It All
Launching Before You’re Ready
Say Yes, Figure It Out Later
Dragon’s Den: Filming and the Big Decision
What We’ve Learned
What’s Next
Within these topics, we’ll reflect on the lessons that shaped us:

The power of intention
Listening to your gut
Listening to your market
Facing your fears
Being willing to fail
Saying yes and figuring it out later

Mint Cleaning

Robyn Mair and Monika Scott

3:15
PM

Afternoon Energizer

Venue: Foyer

LGBT2QiA+

Lauren Semple

4:00
PM

Panel

Venue: Plenary

Building Sustainably: Leverage, Scale, Sustain

Suzanne Hedges

Amber Jordan

Amy Englemark (moderator)

Jordan Sandhu

Alex Carnio

4:00
PM

Breakout

Venue: Room 307

“Leading through challenging times: How to fortify your leadership practice.

Leading self, teams and organizations can be challenging, especially in these emergent times. Join Dr. Kathy Bishop as she speaks to trends and how to create a juicy and impactful leadership practice.”

Dr. Kathy Bishop

4:00
PM

Breakout

Venue: Room 305

The Creative Female Founder

Step into a transformative space where creativity meets courage. This dynamic 60-minute workshop explores the power of vulnerability as a catalyst for innovation and impact. Tailored for founders, entrepreneurs, and game-changers, you’ll uncover how embracing openness fuels vision and creativity in both business and life. Through engaging, experiential exercises—including visioning and creation—you’ll leave inspired, energized, and equipped to reimagine your path forward. Join us and unlock the creative force within to lead with authenticity and boldness.

Harmony Zeigler

4:00
PM

Breakout

Venue: Room 304

“Receiving Mode Meditation

A guided meditation to awaken your intuitive leadership and open yourself to the flow of abundance. As women in business, we often default to force and structure, but true success comes when we trust, soften, and receive. This meditation will help you shift into ease, reconnect with your feminine energy, and allow what is meant for you to find you effortlessly. Step into the power of alignment, where success feels natural, not forced”

Presenting Sponsor: