Women’s Empowerment Event

Back by popular demand and kicking off WEE 2021 Canadian Artist,

Bernadette Connors will be performing – what a way to start! https://www.bernadetteconnors.com/

Rina Rovinelli: Named 2020 Top 25 Women of Influence™ & Co-Founder Of Speaker Slam

“Build Your Personal Brand with Inspirational Speaking”

Build your personal brand by getting clear on your message and infusing inspiration into your communication. In this session, learn the formula for crafting a viral-worthy inspirational speech that will make an impact and connect with your audience. You will learn the importance of using speaking to connect heart to heart with your clients, co-workers and community. This is an opportunity to reflect on your brand and how you want to be seen. This session will be thought-provoking, fun and inspiring!

Judy Croon: Canada’s Keynote Humourist Known for her Ted Talks and specials that have appeared on NBC, CBS,CTV and the Comedy Network. She has worked with many celebrities including; John Cleese, Jon Stewart and Joan Rivers.

“Maximizing Humour to Relieve Stress and Create a brighter tomorrow”

Stress is a major cause of most illnesses, but humour is an amazing way to relieve it. Did you know that your brain shrinks when it is stressed? Harvard studies have demonstrated just that. But, when you laugh, you relax; and when you relax, you learn. This hilarious and inspirational session explores seven stress-relieving ingredients: a positive attitude, perseverance, forgiveness, teamwork, family and friends, mental activity, and physical activity.

Panel Moderator – Michele Bell

Michele Bell is a vice president at ASI, overseeing the Editorial, Special Events and Education teams. With more than 30 years of journalism experience, she has been with ASI for 24 years and is the recipient of multiple Neal Awards, known as the Pulitzer Prize of business journalism. Michele also covers the overseas promo markets extensively, attending shows around the world to profile for ASI’s content platforms.

Panelist – Jennifer Tarnopolski

Jennifer was born and raised in Winnipeg, MB, also known as one of the coldest cities on Earth. In 2004, she fell in love with (and into!) the promo industry and has never looked back. Born into a line of entrepreneurs, Jen founded Outstanding Branding in 2016 and has been steadily growing her outstanding team ever since. Jen’s also excited to be the President of the newly established PPPC chapter for Manitoba, and is also an active member of her community and organizations like Women Business Owners of Manitoba and Winnipeg Executives Association. When she’s not busy having fun at work, Jen enjoys spending time with her husband and three young boys at the cottage, with a glass of wine and a roaring bonfire.

Panelist – Kathy Cheng 

Kathy Cheng is the President of WS & Co., one of Canada’s leading full-service apparel manufacturers, and the founder of its in-stock apparel line, Redwood Classics Apparel, which provides promotional and retail resellers with high-quality garments that are handcrafted in North America.

With the innumerable recognitions and awards that Kathy has been accredited for over the years, she was most notably named on Inc. Magazine’s 100 Female Founders List and was recognized for her significant contributions in Supplier Diversity, receiving the WBE President’s Award and the LGBTQ+ Ambassador of the Year Award for 2020.  

As a result of Kathy’s contributions to women-focused efforts, she was presented with the prestigious Counselor Supplier Woman of Distinction Award by ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute®) in 2016, was one of three Canadians inducted into The EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ program in 2014, and was on WXN (Women’s Executive Network)’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada list in 2013.

Panelist – Jessica De Mello

Business Development Manager, St Regis Group

A proud part of the Promotional Products Industry since 2005 and WEE attendee since 2012. On a personal level: 1^st generation Canadian Citizen, single mom of 2.

My motto: I am who I choose to be. Living in the moment, always learning, evolving & challenging myself!

Panelist – Lindsay Alcorn

Lindsay Alcorn got her start in the promo industry at the age of 10 back when she used to stuff envelopes for her father’s supplier company. She learned enough about the family business early to know two things: she wanted nothing to do with sales or the promo industry. So she went off to study marketing and eventually went to work in the world of digital advertising. After a series of unexpected and serendipitous events, she somehow found her way back into the industry, working for Staples in a sales position. This was certainly unexpected. She quickly rose through the ranks at Staples, spending a highly decorated decade at Staples before moving on to BrandAlliance. A 5-year stint at Brand Alliance saw her climb the corporate ladder only to arrive at an important epiphany: she really just liked selling. The time and space afforded to her by Covid allowed Lindsay to step back and reflect on what she really wanted for the rest of her career. She found the answer in an unlikely place, a company called BAMKO. The US-based distributor had been looking to expand into the Canadian market and was designed to support and help grow the sort of sales assassin that Lindsay realized that she was destined to be. Enamored with a culture of growth and capabilities designed to land major program accounts, Lindsay joined the BAMKO team in the middle of 2020 and hit the ground running at full speed, finally finding the place she intends to call home for the remainder of her career. Lindsay just moved to Stony Creek and when she isn’t landing major accounts, she spends her time golfing and cavorting with friends and family.