IWEP Digital Conference 2026
The Innovation Forum: Women Leading change
2026.11.4 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:30p.m. PCT (12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EST)
Join us for an exciting conference that brings women, community members, partners, and leaders together to explore ideas, share experiences, and build connections that support growth, leadership, and meaningful change.
The Innovation Forum: Women Leading Change is a half-day digital conference that brings together women entrepreneurs, innovators, business leaders, and ecosystem partners from across Canada for a dynamic session of learning, connection, and inspiration.
As industries evolve and markets continue to change, innovation has become essential for business growth and long-term success. Businesses that resist change do not stay still. They fall behind as markets shift, technology accelerates, and customer expectations move forward. For women entrepreneurs and business leaders, innovation is not just about new ideas. It is about building the confidence, tools, and strategy to adapt, compete, and lead through change.
This forum celebrates the innovation, leadership, and resilience of women entrepreneurs while creating space for meaningful conversations, practical learning, and valuable networking. Through keynote presentation, panel discussions, and interactive networking opportunities, participants will gain fresh perspectives, actionable insights, and new connections to support their personal and professional growth.
This year, attendees can look forward to an engaging half-day experience featuring a keynote presentation, an engaging panel session with three speakers and innovators, and a dedicated interactive networking session called Dialogues with Innovators. Together, these sessions will explore innovation, leadership, resilience, sustainable business practices, and the personal journeys that shape strong and impactful women leaders.
Dialogues with Innovators is a unique opportunity for short, focused networking with the speakers in a more personal and interactive setting. This session is designed to help attendees ask questions, exchange ideas, gain practical insights, and build meaningful connections with leaders and peers who share a commitment to innovation, sustainable growth, and community impact.
Whether you are an established entrepreneur, exploring a new business idea, supporting women-led businesses, or looking to expand your network, this event offers an opportunity to learn from diverse experiences, exchange ideas, and connect with a community that is shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Canada.
Register today and be part of a vibrant community of women shaping stronger futures: for themselves, their businesses, and their communities.
The presentations will be delivered in English, with Wordly’s AI-powered translation available in French.
IWEP Digital Conference 2026
Agenda
2026.11.4 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. PCT (12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EST)
(PCT)
9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
Opening Remarks
9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
From Insight to Impact: Leading Change and Building What’s Next
Melanie Bitner, Co-Founder & CMO, FireSwarm Solutions Inc.
10:05 a.m. - 11:05 a.m.
Women Building What’s Next: Turning Opportunities into Innovation
11:10 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.
Dialogues with Innovators
12:10 p.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Diana Virgovicova, Founder & CEO, Xatoms
Rashmi Prakash, CEO,
Human System Labs
Lourdes Juan, Co-Founder & CEO, Knead Technologies
Facilitator: Dr. Angèle Beausoleil
Diana Virgovicova, Founder & CEO, Xatoms
Rashmi Prakash, CEO,
Human System Labs
Lourdes Juan, Co-Founder & CEO,
Knead Technologies
Facilitator: Dr. Angèle Beausoleil
IWEP Digital Conference 2026
About the Speakers
Co-founder & CMO
FireSwarm

Melanie Bitner
Melanie Anne Bitner is an entrepreneur and creative business strategist whose career has taken her from the design and marketing industries into emerging technology and entrepreneurship. Today, as Co-Founder and CMO of FireSwarm Solutions, she combines creativity, varied experience, and purpose to build solutions that tackle some of the world’s hardest problems. Her career has been shaped by change, adversity, and personal loss, experiences that have strengthened her resilience and belief in what’s possible. Melanie is passionate about inspiring women to step forward, take risks, navigate the unexpected, and recognize that even difficult experiences can become strengths in leadership and in life.
IWEP Digital Conference 2026
About the IWEP
The Integrated Women's Entrepreneurship Project (IWEP) is funded by the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy.
IWEP is a multi-regional project organized by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. in partnership with the Immigrant Education Society, Saskatoon Open Door Society, Seneca Polytechnic, Microcredit Montreal, and Women in Business New Brunswick, delivers entrepreneurship services across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick.
Funded by:
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