2025 inspiHER Gala Event Program

GALA PRESENTED BY

THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2025 CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

5:30 PM - 10:00 PM

MILLENNIUM GARDENS BANQUET CENTRE 20 POLONIA AVE #100 BRAMPTON, ON

PLATINUM SPONSOR

ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR

CENTREPIECE SPONSOR

Thank you to our Sponsors and partners PRESENTED BY

PLATINUM SPONSOR

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ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR

CENTREPIECE SPONSOR

Program 5:30 pm:

Doors Open for Registration, Networking Reception

6:15 pm:

Call to Tables

6:30 pm:

Spoken Word Performance, Desiree McKenzie First Course - Soup

6:45 pm:

Welcome Remarks

7:00 pm:

Naseem Somani Memorial Leadership Excellence Award Presented by Dynacare

7:15 pm:

Vocalist Performance, Leah Holtom Second Course - Main

7:30 pm:

Speaker Series: Accelerating Growth Through Action presented by Maple Lodge Farms

8:15 pm:

Violinist Performance, CABINPARTY Third Course - Dessert

8:45 pm:

Closing Remarks

9:00 pm: Networking & DJ set by thatgirlwhodjs

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Step Up For Change Soles4Souls Canada is dedicated to creating sustainable jobs and providing relief through the distribution of shoes and clothing worldwide. Through its four key programs—4Opportunity, 4Relief, 4EveryKid, and 4ThePlanet—the organization empowers women entrepreneurs, supports those in crisis, provides footwear for children in need, and promotes sustainability by keeping shoes out of landfills.

BioPed Brampton has been a proud supporter, collecting nearly 11,000 pairs of shoes last year and setting a new goal of 15,000 pairs this year. Help them reach their goal by bringing your gently loved footwear to the inspiHER Gala! BioPed will be setup to receive all of your wonderful donations A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated footwear and contributed to this incredible shoe drive at this years inspiHER Gala—your generosity is making a real difference! www.bramptonbot.com

Welcome to GALA Welcome to the 2025 inspiHER Gala in celebration of International Women’s Day. Tonight, the Brampton Board of Trade community unites in solidarity to mark our accomplishments on the road to achieving gender equality and to support one another in our quest to continue moving gender parity forward.

Kate Saldanha

Tonight we will celebrate women leaders in our community through the Naseem Somani Memorial Leadership Excellence Award, be inspired by the words of women trailblazers in local organizations through the Accelerating Growth Through Action Speaker Series, and be delighted and entertained by the artistry of talented local women.

And while we have many accomplishments to celebrate, the road ahead is long. Data from the World Economic Forum projects that it will take until 2158 – approximately five generations from now – to reach full gender parity at the current rate of progress.

The theme of International Women’s Day 2025 is Accelerate Action. This is a challenge to increase the rate of progress toward gender parity by intensifying our urgency, acting swiftly, and taking decisive steps. This is also a call to action each day - whether we are celebrating women’s success, questioning bias, calling out discrimination and stereotypes, or uniting together to encourage others to Accelerate Action.

We thank you for joining us this evening. We trust that you will leave this event both inspired and motivated to heed the call to Accelerate Action as part of your daily life in support of all women.

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Meet our Emcees

The Brampton Board of Trade is proud to have five incredible women on its Board of Directors, each bringing diverse expertise and perspectives, all united in their mission to empower the Brampton business community.

Kate Saldanha is a lawyer at Prouse, Dash & Crouch, LLP specializing in wills & estates law and real estate law. She is the Brampton Board of Trade 2025 Chair, reflecting her commitment to community engagement.

In her downtime, Kate is a Disney enthusiast, drawing inspiration from its storytelling and creativity.

Kate Saldanha

Paula Harvey is a dedicated community leader with over 25 years of experience in the developmental and health sectors within the Region of Peel.. A resourceful and creative problem solver, she is passionate about fostering inclusivity while staying connected to nature, making things from scratch, and spending time with family and friends.

Paula Harvey

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Usha Srinivasan

Usha Srinivasan is a seasoned entrepreneur, having founded and led multiple businesses across various industries. As an investor, she is passionate about supporting innovative ventures and driving business growth. A dedicated vegan foodie, Usha also enjoys karaoke, embracing opportunities to connect with others through music and shared experiences.

Upjit Kaur Kansal is the founder of 100 Women Who Care Brampton, a not-for-profit that brings charities serving Brampton in front of donors for an immediate cash injection while doing her day job with J D Factors corporation and serving many businesses across Canada looking for funding with their premium non-recourse factoring services.

Upjit Kansal

Amisha Moorjani, culinary trailblazer and Founder of The Food Quotient, champions health and wellness through her expertise in Foods & Nutrition. Specializing in vegan, plant-based, and halal cuisine, her company offers meal delivery, catering, and takeout services in an environmentally-responsible manner, embodying her dedication to a nutritious and wholesome life.

Amisha Moorjani

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Meet the Artists thegirlwhodjs

Kari the DJ is a rising Brampton-based DJ who began her journey in high school through the Math Thru Music program, mastering the art of mixing for diverse audiences. After graduating in 2023, she launched her own business, "thatgirlwhodjs," at just 19. Kari has played at major events across the city, including CP24 for the Brampton Honey Badgers, BAO's Town Hall, and her biggest event to date, the Brampton Board of Trade’s 2024 Business Excellence Awards

Desiree McKenzie is an award-winning poet, arts educator, and national poetry slam champion with roots in Brampton. Her work has been featured by CBC’s Poetic License, and When Sisters Speak, to name a few.

She leads community poetry programs for JAYU, VIBE Arts, Unity Charity, and Poetry in Voice. In 2022, she opened for Rupi Kaur at Massey Hall on her world tour.

Desiree is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Guelph.

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Desiree McKenzie

Spotlight Stage PRESENTED BY Award-winning folk singer/songwriter Leah Holtom grew up in Brampton, Ontario, and now thrives in Toronto's music scene. Blending folk and country, she offers fresh storytelling with a unique take on traditional instrumentation. In 2024, she won the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award for her debut single, Face The Day. Her rich sound and tender vocals shine on her debut EP, Patchwork.

CABINPARTY

Leah Holtom

Daisy holds a Master’s degree in Violin Performance from The Schulich School of Music at McGill University and a Bachelor’s degree from The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. Daisy started playing piano at the age of two and started the violin just a few years later. Juggling both the violin and the piano, Daisy attended the Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists at the Royal Conservatory of Music.

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Naseem Somani Memorial LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD Honouring an individual who exemplifies vision, integrity, and innovation, and making a lasting impact through transformative leadership.

PRESENTED BY

Vito Ciciretto, President & CEO of Dynacare since 2018, is a Chartered Professional Accountant with an MBA from Schulich. Named Brampton Board of Trade’s Business Person of the Year (2021), he is a values-driven leader with a passion for team building, innovation, and operational excellence across healthcare, aerospace, and infrastructure management.

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Vito Ciciretto

PRESIDENT & CEO, DYNACARE

Congratulations

NOMINEES

Marianne Power

Rifat Parvaiz

Jennifer Vivian

Sandra Rupnarain

Heather Strati

Jyoti Singh

Kiki Ferrari

Katie Cleland

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A Closer Look AT OUR FINALISTS

A PILLAR OF STRENGTH AND EXCELLENCE For over 25 years, Rifat Parvaiz has been a driving force behind A1 Cash & Carry, demonstrating exceptional leadership, resilience, and integrity. As co-owner and Director of Human Resources, she has shaped the company’s culture, fostering inclusivity, employee well-being, and operational excellence.

Rifat Parvaiz

A strong advocate for women’s empowerment, Rifat has championed initiatives that support career growth and leadership for women. Through her strategic foresight and empathy, Rifat continues to inspire, cementing her reputation as a transformational leader driving both business success and social impact.

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TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP

Kiki Ferrari

Kiki Ferrari, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at William Osler Health System, is a transformative leader dedicated to advancing patient care and hospital operations. Playing a key role in expanding Osler’s services, innovations, and advocating for increased healthcare resources. Kiki’s leadership was instrumental during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the rapid development of assessment centers and vaccine clinics. Her commitment to employee engagement, mentorship, and development has made her an inspiration in the healthcare industry.

A VISIONARY IN DIGITAL INNOVATION

Jyoti Singh

As the founder of We Love Digital Marketing Inc., Jyoti Singh is a trailblazer in the world of business and marketing. With a passion for empowering businesses, she has helped over 100 companies achieve their goals through tailored strategies and innovative approaches. Leading a dynamic team of 30 professionals, Jyoti fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence. Jyoti's leadership is driven by a deep commitment to integrity and organizational excellence, inspiring those around her to innovate and succeed.

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Sponsored

TABLE PARTNER

Brampton Venture Zone by TMU is a purpose-driven, non-equity incubator launching early-stage technology startups in Brampton. At BVZ, startups are more than just a vanity metric—they are key players driving innovation and impact in our ecosystem. BVZ is proud to introduce the following female-powered Med Tech startups.

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Thank you to our

Gift Bag Donors S. Robinson & Associates of RBC Dominion Securities

THANK YOU TO THE HOPE ENDOORS TEAM FOR ASSEMBLING OUR GIFT BAGS

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Speaker Series: PRESENTED BY:

Sponsor Remarks

Violet Pearce

VICE PRESIDENT HUMAN RESOURCES, MAPLE LODGE FARMS

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ACCELERATING GROWTH THROUGH ACTION

Violet Pearce is the Vice President of Human Resources at Maple Lodge Farms, bringing extensive expertise in HR strategy, talent development, and organizational leadership. With a passion for employee engagement and workplace culture, she drives initiatives that foster growth, inclusion, and innovation, ensuring a thriving and dynamic workforce under her leadership.

With over 15 years of community experience, Aretha McCarthy specializes in trauma-informed, culturally responsive strategies to enhance community safety & social services in under-served areas. A recognized leader, supporting Revive’s mission to aid individuals impacted within the community through advocacy, education, and intervention.

Aretha McCarthy Manvir Bhangu is an award-winning community leader and founder of Laadliyan, an organization dedicated to empowering South Asian daughters through education, engagement, and advocacy.

With over a decade of experience in gender equity and human rights, she has created transformative opportunities for young women.

Manvir Bhangu Dr. Janet Morrison, President and Vice Chancellor of Sheridan College, has over 30 years of experience in the post-secondary sector, championing student success and community engagement. Since 2018, her leadership has elevated Sheridan’s reputation, earning it the top spot on Forbes’ list of Canada’s Best Employers in 2023.

Dr. Janet Morrison

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Thank you to our Sponsors and partners PRESENTED BY

PLATINUM SPONSOR

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ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR

CENTREPIECE SPONSOR

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SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS MARCH 17!

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