Presented by

 

The Wonder Women Conference brings together people to connect, educate, inspire and empower one another to take on new and expanded roles in work, community and life. 

Wonder Women is proud to offer diverse content featuring local, professional superheroes. We invite you to build meaningful relationships with people across all industries while participating in engaging workshops and hearing from leaders on successes and challenges of women and gender-diverse folks in business.
 
Together, we strive to create a community of inclusivity that ultimately encourages all people to own their ambition, break down barriers, and unleash their superpowers.

The Wonder Women conference was started to empower those who have historically been denied equitable access to spaces and opportunities in the professional world. This most certainly includes those who identify outside of the gender binary. We have been working extensively with women and gender diverse folks over the years to make this event accessible, welcoming and applicable to everyone. 
 
Our team is working hard to ensure there is representation, including gender-diverse folks, amongst our presenters and within the topics of discussion.
 
We are working towards a more inclusive and equitable event, and we always welcome input and feedback from our members and community. Please let us know if you have any suggestions on how we can improve this event.

Let's lift each other up! All superheroes welcome—regardless of gender!

Your ticket includes:

• A full day of content by women and gender-diverse professionals from a variety of fields and expertise
• Swag bag
• Access to the marketplace featuring over 30 local vendors and resource tables
• Lunch and refreshments throughout the day
• Potential to network with 700+ attendees
• Entries into the door prize and giveaways throughout the day
• Show your badge benefits

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Meet Our Superheroes

Keynote

Jenn Harper, Founder & CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics

Jenn Harper is not just a name in the beauty industry; she's a revolution. An award-winning social entrepreneur and international speaker, Jenn is the trailblazing founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics—a brand that has gracefully painted the ideals of sustainability and inclusion onto a global canvas. From its inception in 2015, Jenn has nurtured Cheekbone Beauty into a B. Corp Certified force, now gracing the shelves of Sephora Canada and 550 JC Penney locations across the USA.

Jenn's journey with Cheekbone began as a digitally native, direct-to-consumer brand that took pride in its commitment to reducing environmental impact and supporting Indigenous communities. Her formidable leadership made sure Cheekbone stood out not only for its stunning products but also for its ethical backbone—it became a symphony of transparency, philanthropy, and support for women and youth. To date, over $250,000 have been donated to philanthropic causes, testament to Cheekbone's core values.

Jenn Harper stands as more than a CEO; she is a voice for entrepreneurship, exerting influence on topics that are reshaping the business landscape: social entrepreneurship, empathy, representation, inclusivity, and sustainability. Regularly sought after for her insights, Jenn weaves her narrative as both a woman and a representative of North America's Indigenous peoples, substantiating the importance of these values in today's business ecosystem.

The accolades accruing to Jenn's name bear the weight of her achievements. In 2022, she was listed among the 100 Women of Influence by Entrepreneur Magazine—a list graced by the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian. And importantly, in 2023, Jenn was conferred an Honorary Doctorate degree from the Goodman School of Business at Brock University. This honorary degree recognized her unwavering dedication to community betterment and adamant endeavours in championing sustainability.

Jenn Harper, with Cheekbone Beauty, brings forth a narrative of passion, resilience, and authenticity. Her biography is not just about the ascent of a brand; it's the story of a vision brought to life, of barriers broken, and of a future envisioned where commerce and charity coalesce seamlessly, all painted with the strokes of an eco-friendly brush. 

 

Local Keynote

Justine Colley-Leger, Record-breaking Nova Scotian athlete, Director of Athletics, Halifax Grammar School

Justine Colley-Leger's impact on Nova Scotia basketball is undeniable. While earning her Bachelor of Commerce at Saint Mary’s University, she achieved numerous accolades and broke several records on the court, including scoring the most points in Canadian University Women’s Basketball history with over 2,300 points in five years. Her dynamic playing style, marked by remarkable agility, court vision, and scoring ability, made her a force to be reckoned with on the court. She represented Canada on the national stage, competing in FIBA tournaments and is the youngest person inducted into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame.
 

Off the court, Justine is the Director of Athletics at Halifax Grammar School. She actively engages in mentoring student-athletes, sharing her passion for basketball and inspiring the next generation.

 

Host

Ann Divine, Founder & CEO, Ashanti Leadership & Professional Services Inc.

Ann Divine (she/her) is the founder and CEO of Ashanti Leadership & Professional Development Services Inc., providing services in Leadership Development and Cultural and Organizational Change Management. through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion lens to create safe work environment and a sense of belonging in the workplace.

With expertise in human resource management, governance, and strategic leadership, Divine is a sought-after speaker and facilitator. She has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Queen Elizabeth II 70th Jubilee Award and has been recognized as one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Atlantic Canada.

Breakout Session Speakers

Dr. Ashley Margeson, ND, COO of Cornerstone Naturopathic Inc.

A Naturopathic Doctor who is obsessed with hormones and the role they play in our lives, she and her partner Ben own and operate Cornerstone Naturopathic - a Halifax, NS clinic focused on Burnout Recovery and Prevention.

Dr. Ashley is the host of The Superwoman Code, one of Atlantic Canada’s top-downloaded podcasts, where every episode supports busy humans in making their health work for them, not against them.

Online, Dr. Ashley runs The Superwoman Society, an online platform of courses, resources, and supports designed to put a little life back into your lifestyle through simple and sustainable practices.

SESSION TOPIC: From Burnout to Brilliance: Energize your day

Are you ready to transform your 5-9 after the 9-5? Or maybe you just need the energy to tackle the 9-5 in the first place? Join us for an inspiring session on how your health can work for you, not against you! Discover practical tips to turn knowledge into action and create unstoppable momentum, no matter what season of life you're in.

Join Dr. Ashley Margeson, ND, for a joyful, energetic, and inspirational session designed to help busy women create more capacity in their lives, without adding more to the to-do list. 

 

Menna Riley, Founder of Leading Ladies Networking
Menna Riley is an executive networking coach and powerhouse community builder with a proven track record of events that connect, workshops that inspire and training that transforms and helps her audience convert conversations into invaluable connections. 
 
Inspired by her vision to elevate the overall professional networking landscape and empower women in business, Menna has curated one of Nova Scotia’s most powerful communities in Leading Ladies Networking. Her signature events have helped over 5,000+ women build their careers, connections, and community since its inception in 2011. 
 
She specializes in delivering dynamic networking events and training programs for associations, firms and individuals looking to sharpen their networking presence, performance and create connections that count.
 
Check out mennariley.com and learn more about The Networking Queen today!

SESSION TOPIC: Networking Rizz

 

Emma Stanley (she/her), Chief Development Officer of SGF Inclusion
Emma Stanley joined the award-winning team at SGF Inclusion in 2021 and is now their Chief Development Officer, providing EDIA strategy development, training and 2SLGBTQI+ outreach.

She has ten years experience teaching English in different cultural environments, and as a queer trans woman from rural New Brunswick, Emma says, “living and transitioning across several countries and cultures has given me a broad experience of how different people interact with my community. I want to use that experience to help make a positive change in my home country.” Her lived experience helps position SGF’s programming to be the best, most inclusive education to serve our clients. Emma is co-host of the Trans Canada Stories podcast. In her free time she enjoys drawing, board games, and juggling.

SESSION TOPIC: Power and Planning in Equity Work 

 

Morgan Roulston, Co-Founder, New Venture
Morgan is an experienced advisor for small businesses and non-profits, with interdisciplinary expertise in grant writing and wage subsidies. She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Development, and Sustainability from Dalhousie University.

As a co-founder of 'New Venture,' a nonprofit organization, Morgan has been instrumental in creating platforms for emerging entrepreneurs in Kjipuktuk through free marketplace programming. Currently, she manages Sea Halifax and The Harbour Watercraft, overseeing operations as the General Manager where she wears many hats, including that of a Boat Captain.

SESSION TOPIC: Effective Grant Writing & Management: Strategies for Success

In this interactive workshop, participants will learn key strategies and practical tips for crafting compelling grant proposals that stand out. Learn effective Grant Management techniques to maximize your organization’s funding opportunities. 

Invest in Women Panel

Jayne Akinyi, Founder of Dada Dunia
Jayne Akinyi is a passionate social entrepreneur from Kenya, now making waves in Canada since 2021 as the founder of Dada Dunia. This innovative enterprise connects African virtual assistants with Canadian businesses, emphasizing social impact and growth through emotional intelligence training. With a rich background spanning operational management in Kenya, educational roles in China, and mentorship in the UK, Jayne has cultivated a unique approach to cultural integration. Her consulting work is intentional in its practices, using multicultural workshops and cultural exchange activities to deepen workplace diversity and unity.

Jayne's approach is deeply influenced by her African heritage and the resilience forged through her community's experiences. This unique perspective attracts an impressive array of clients, including winners from Dragon's Den and Big Brother Canada, who are passionate about tackling systemic discrimination and advancing social justice. Her blend of vulnerability and infectious energy truly resonates with those committed to breaking new ground and driving meaningful change.

Donna Harding, Real Estate Broker & Co-owner of Engel & Völkers
Donna is a visionary thinker who has a tremendous passion for people, community and real estate. Her quest for challenge led her on her journey, from Senior Naval Officer, in the Canadian Navy, to successful real estate Broker and co-owner of Engel & Völkers in Nova Scotia.

Donna’s love for real estate was a life-long one, her tenacity and thirst for professional knowledge, along with her client-care focus, earned her immediate success as she and her husband Sebastien grew the company from a “one-woman” team to a highly successful, and well-respected brokerage in only 4 years. In 2018, they opened the first Engel & Völkers franchise east of Quebec and in less than three years, they grew the brokerage to seven shops throughout the province.

Donna was inducted into Private Office with EV in 2019 and her energy thrives off the success of others so she has added teaching, coaching, and mentoring to her portfolio. Amongst her many qualifications, Donna holds the FRI designation and is a teacher with the National REIC faculty. She holds both a CIPS and SRES designations and currently is Chair of the Board for CUA, and Chair of Governance on the Halifax Chamber of Commerce board, and a Director on both the REIC National Board and Commissionaires of NS.

Donna's love of people also extends to the many charities she supports including Special Olympics, and A Home for Everyone. As a wife and mother of 2 boys, Donna enjoys spending quality time with her family whether on the boat or at the cottage and painting landscapes when time allows.

 

Neera Ritcey, Director of Corporate Affairs with Chorus Aviation Inc.
Neera Ritcey is a strategic communications leader with a breadth of experience working with prominent Canadian organizations, and in sectors as diverse as energy, law enforcement, politics and aviation. Currently, she serves as Director of Corporate Affairs with Chorus Aviation Inc, a publicly traded company specializing in regional aviation and headquartered in Halifax. In this role, Neera leads the corporate communications function for Chorus while collaborating across the Chorus group of companies on functions including financial communications, corporate project planning and investor relations. 
 
Neera has lived and worked in Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria, and since 2011, has called Halifax home, where she lives with her husband and two sons. Originally hailing from the state of Punjab in India, she is proud to be a first generation Canadian. 

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Meet Our Marketplace Lineup

Watch the 2023 Event Round Up Video

What past attendees have said:

"The Chamber of Commerce's Wonder Women Conference is one of the best events I have been a part of over my many years in the professional "scene" in Halifax. The content was fresh, the energy positive and inspiring, and the connections made and reinforced were genuine. I would highly encourage anyone with women in their workforce to SEND THEM to this conference." - Leah Rimmer - Partner, Boyneclarke

"Absolutely loved the day. So powerful to be in a room with 630+ amazing women+. Reallyappreciate the opportunity and will definitely attend again!" - 2023 Survey respondent 

"I loved it - I'd go as far as to say life changing." - 2023 Survey respondent 

"This has been the most valuable personal/professional development event I've attended in a long time. I can't wait to come back." - 2023 Survey respondent 

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Marketplace Partner




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AV Partners




Grand Prize Partner

Mic Mac Mall

Self-Care Partner

Event Partner



Photographer