IWEP Digital Conference 2026 | S.U.C.C.E.S.S. IWEP

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IWEP Digital Conference 2026

Resilient Women. Sustainable Futures

2026.2.5 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:45p.m. PST (12:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. EST)

Join us for Resilient Women. Sustainable Futures, an empowering half-day digital conference dedicated for women entrepreneurs across Canada to nurture their mental well-being, strengthening resilience, and creating long-term success. As women continue to lead, innovate, and uplift communities across Canada, this event offers the space, tools, and strategies needed to sustain both personal and business growth in an ever-changing landscape.

This conference brings together diverse entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and community partners for a powerful exploration of what it truly means to thrive - not only in business, but as whole individuals. You’ll gain practical insights into building emotional resilience, navigating stress and uncertainty, and strengthening your mental health as the foundation for sustainable leadership.

This year, attendees can look forward to a rich and engaging event featuring two keynote speaker sessions, one dynamic panel discussion and to top it all – an interactive networking session. With a total of seven speakers, each of whom will bring a unique lens to the overarching theme of offering perspectives on resilience, mental health, sustainable business practices, and the personal journeys that shape strong and impactful leaders.

You will hear real stories of women who have turned challenges into opportunities, women who have rebuilt, reimagined, and redefined success on their own terms. We hope that their journeys offer lessons, motivation, and proof that resilience is a skill we can strengthen together.

A key feature of this year’s conference is our interactive Networking Session with the Speaker—a dedicated space to engage, ask questions, and build connections in real time. This is your chance to expand your network, gain personalized insights, and connect with like-minded leaders who share your commitment to sustainable growth and well-being.

This event is more than a conference: it’s a collective moment to pause, ground ourselves, and invest in what truly matters. Expect to leave feeling renewed, informed, and ready to take confident steps toward a healthier, more resilient, and more sustainable business journey.

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.

Conference Agenda

About the Speakers

About the IWEP

IWEP Digital Conference 2026

Agenda

2026.2.5 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. PST (12:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. EST)

(PST)

9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

Opening Remarks

9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

From Setbacks to Strength: Building Resilience Through Failure, Uncertainty and Challenge

Cybele Negris, CEO & Co-founder
Webnames.ca Inc.

10:05 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.

Resilient by Design: Entrepreneurs Withstanding Disruptions

11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Growing with Purpose: A Conversation on Thriving Without Burnout

Dr. Shahana Alibhai, TEDx speaker, Bestselling author, Family Physician and Medical Director at Foundry Abbotsford

12:40 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Closing Remarks

11:50 p.m. - 12:35 p.m.

The Resilience Roundtable: From Burnout to Breakthrough

Anita Agarwal, CEO, Jewels 4 Ever

Joella Hogan, Founder, Yukon Soaps Company

Dr. Angèle Beausoleil, Assistant Professor of Teaching, Entrepreneurship, Sustainability + Innovation Group

Idalin McKenzie, Vice President Finance & Asset Management YWCA Hamilton

IWEP Digital Conference 2026

About the Speakers

Cybele Negris

Cybele Negris is an award-winning tech CEO, serial entrepreneur, sought-after speaker, mentor, and columnist.

She is co-founder & CEO of Webnames.ca, Canada’s original .CA Registrar and Webnamescorporate.com, steering its evolution into a security driven, brand-protection focused industry leader.

She’s an ICD.D and GCB.D accredited director on an extensive portfolio of corporate, crown and government boards such as AGF Management, a TSX listed company with $60 Billion assets under management, BCAA a leader in mobility and insurance, and as Vice-Chair of the Royal Canadian Mint and Vice Chair of BC’s Permanent Small Business Roundtable. She is also a director and former Vice Chair of Science World.

A Hall of Fame Inductee and four-time winner of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women and nine-time winner of PROFIT W100, other recognitions include BMO Celebrating Women on Boards Award, four-time winner of BIV500-BC’s top business leaders, three-time winner BC Business Most Influential Women in Business, Business In Vancouver’s Influential Women in Business and BIV Top 40 Under 40.

She has spoken at TEDx and keynoted numerous events including Level Up Conference along with former Prime Ministers Harper & Chretien.

CEO & Co-founder
Webnames.ca Inc.

Idalin McKenzie

Idalin McKenzie is a finance, governance, and transformation leader with over two decades of experience helping organizations remain steady through disruption. As Vice President of Finance & Asset Management at YWCA Hamilton, she leads finance, IT, and facilities within complex, mission-driven environments. A CPA with an MBA from the Rotman School of Management, Idalin brings a rare blend of systems thinking and human insight to her work. She is a board director, educator, and sought-after speaker who challenges leaders and entrepreneurs to design resilience—intentionally and structurally—so they can adapt, endure, and grow when change is unavoidable.

Vice President, Finance & Asset Management
YWCA Hamilton

CEO, Jewels 4 Ever
2010 Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs in Canada
2012 Woman Exporter of the Year

Anita Agrawal

Anita Agrawal is CEO of the multi-award winning Toronto jewellery manufacturing company Best Bargains (Jewels 4 Ever), the recent recipient of the Centennial College’s Alumni of Distinction Award for Business and six-time international design award recipient for jewellery design from the American Gem Trade Association and INSTORE magazine. In 2023 she was selected as one of WXN’s top 100 most powerful women in Canada. She is a SME advocate and TEDx speaker, who is regularly interviewed on issues impacting women and minority owned small business and ethical employment (CBC, BNN, Globe & Mail etc..). She is a founding member of the Better Way Alliance, the former president of OWIT-Toronto and a professor of business at Centennial & George Brown College.

Joella Hogan

Loving life in the heart of the Yukon, I draw strength from a long line of vibrant Indigenous women—teachers, healers, bush women, social advocates, and cultural leaders. They taught me to take action and create change. Through The Yukon Soaps Company, I share that legacy with handcrafted soaps inspired by our land and culture.

When I moved to Mayo, my grandmother’s community on our traditional territory, I envisioned reconnecting with people, land, and language. Today, my business reflects that vision: incorporating local plants, employing community members, sharing Indigenous beadwork and plant knowledge, and sprinkling in Northern Tutchone language. It’s about meaningful connection and empowerment.

One defining moment was finding baskets of wild rose petals left by local children for my soaps. That gesture affirmed my path—focusing on community wellness, cultural programs, mentorship, and advocacy for clean rivers. Guided by Elders and Dan Ke values, I believe traditional knowledge creates abundance. With community support, I’ve built a regenerative business that brings joy and resilience while celebrating Northern Tutchone heritage.

Founder
The Yukon Soaps Company

Dr. Angèle Beausoleil

Dr. Angèle Beausoleil is a professor of teaching of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UBC's Sauder School of Business, and academic director for the Maurice Young Entrepreneurship Research Centre. Prior to earning a PhD in innovation literacy from UBC, Angèle spent over 20 years designing and launching innovation processes, programs and strategies for private and public organizations. A recovering entrepreneur and former business executive, Angèle now teaches and leads research on gendered, market and impact driven entrepreneurship and innovation leadership. She recently completed a 5-yr term as vice chair board member of Telefilm Canada and is a former board director of the Telus Health Fund and VIFF. She is the author of the textbook entitled Business Design Thinking and Doing: Frameworks, Strategies and Techniques for Sustainable Innovation.

Assistant Professor of Teaching, Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Academic Director W. Maurice Young Centre for Entrepreneurship Research
UBC's Sauder School of Business

Dr. Shahana Alibhai

Meet Dr. Shahana Alibhai: TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and family physician passionate about emotional health. As Medical Director at Foundry Abbotsford—BC’s largest youth health centre—she empowers youth and adults to navigate mental well-being. Her debut book, Feel Better, endorsed by Mel Robbins, became an Amazon #1 bestseller. A sought-after speaker, she has worked with Yale, UBC, Scotiabank, and Remax, and her insights have appeared on CTV, Global, and Medium. Her quote, “We do not suffer from a lack of joy, simply a lack of recognizing it,” was featured in an award-winning planner gifted to celebrities at the Oscars.

Nominated for the 2025 YWCA Women of Distinction Award, Dr. Shahana created the innovative “Think Like a Doc” program and volunteers globally to support mental health initiatives. Offstage, she’s a proud mom of three, a National Accreditor for the College of Canadian Family Physicians and a mentor for UBC’s residency program. Her TEDx talk, “Emotional Literacy for Better Mental Health,” continues to inspire thousands.

TEDx speaker, Bestselling author, Family Physician and Medical Director at Foundry Abbotsford

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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Organized by:

In partnership with:

Resilient Women. Sustainable Futures

Agenda

About the Speakers

Cybele Negris

CEO & Co-founder Webnames.ca Inc.

About the IWEP

CEO & Co-founder
Webnames.ca Inc.