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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART:20261014T140000Z
DTEND:20261014T190000Z
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SUMMARY:Women's Symposium 2026
DESCRIPTION:Women in Business Symposium 2026\n\nInspiring Women. Empowering Leadership. Driving Change.\n\nDescription\n\nThe 2026 Women in Business Symposium is a dynamic half-day experience designed to empower\, connect\, and celebrate women leaders\, entrepreneurs\, and professionals across all industries.\n\nHosted by the Richmond Hill Board of Trade\, this signature event brings together influential speakers\, industry experts\, business leaders\, and professionals for an inspiring day of thought-provoking discussions\, meaningful networking\, and practical insights.\n\nAttendees will explore leadership strategies\, personal and professional growth\, innovation\, and the evolving role of women in today's business landscape.\n\nWhether you are an emerging entrepreneur\, established executive\, or aspiring leader\, the Women in Business Symposium provides an opportunity to gain new perspectives\, build confidence\, expand your professional network\, and connect with like-minded business professionals.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nGuest Speaker\n\n\n \n\nSANAZ HOOMAN\n\nSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPULENCE GLOBAL &\n\nCHIEF CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FERI DESIGNER LINES\n\nSanaz Hooman is an accomplished entrepreneur\, award-winning designer\, philanthropist\, and mentor whose journey is a testament to resilience\, compassion\, and determination.\n\nBorn in Iran and immigrating to Canada in 1987 as a young girl\, Sanaz overcame language barriers and cultural differences to build a remarkable career from the ground up. Inspired by her father's entrepreneurial journey and the supportive network of newly immigrated women around her\, she developed a deep passion for empowering others.\n\n \n\nFrom a young age\, Sanaz worked with children\, including children with autism\, which helped shape her profound empathy and commitment to supporting vulnerable communities. Her philanthropic work focuses on empowering women in need\, supporting orphanages in Africa\, and contributing to charitable initiatives across Canada\, Iran\, Kenya\, Uganda\, and beyond.\n\n \n\nProfessionally\, Sanaz serves as Senior Vice President of Opulence Global and Chief Creative Director of the FERI Designer Lines. Her innovative work as a designer has earned her industry recognition\, including Designer of the Yearand Handbag of the Year honours. She has also been featured in notable publications\, including Oprah Winfrey's Women of Wealth Magazine.\n\n\n\nBeyond her professional achievements\, Sanaz is committed to mentorship and inclusivity. She continues to mentor and inspire entrepreneurs around the world while using her platform to uplift women\, children\, and underserved communities.\n\n \n\nHer story embodies the spirit of resilience\, empowerment\, entrepreneurship\, and giving back.\n \n\n\n\nPavla Van Zyl\n\nBusiness Builder | Educator | People-Centred\n\nPavla Van Zyl combines an entrepreneurial mindset\, an educator's commitment to developing people\, and a leader's ability to turn vision into action. Over more than 25 years\, she has helped businesses grow\, operated her own ventures\, forged strategic partnerships\, and led teams large and small across industry and higher education.\n\nHer career has taken her from Canada's food industry to corporate training in Japan\, and into higher education as a faculty member at Durham College and later Dean of Business at Georgian College. Today\, she leads graduate student recruitment and admissions at Niagara University Ontario.\n\nAn MBA graduate and Project Management Professional\, Pavla brings strategic thinking\, creative problem-solving and a people-centred approach to leadership\, with candour and humour along the way. She values the opportunity to contribute beyond the workplace\, believing that strong communities grow through meaningful connections\, mutual support and a willingness to give back.\n\nHer guiding belief: "Your day is not complete until you make someone else's day\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nLENA GUIRGUIS\n\nEntrepreneur | Real Estate Investor | Community Leader\n\nLena Guirguis is an entrepreneur\, real estate investor\, and community leader with more than 20 years of experience building businesses and investment portfolios in Canada and the United States.\n\nHer entrepreneurial journey began in her early twenties and has since taken her through real estate investment and property management\, business consulting\, coworking\, and community development.\n\nShe is the co-founder of Flex Space Inc. in Richmond Hill and the founder of Stilettos & Hammers \, a women's network she created in 2012 after experiencing firsthand the need for stronger support and connection among women building businesses and investing in real estate.\n\nToday\, Lena also serves as Vice-Chair of the Village of Richmond Hill BIA\, where she works alongside local businesses and community partners to support a stronger downtown.\n\nAt the centre of Lena's work is a belief in the power of connection\, collaboration\, and community. She is especially passionate about women supporting one another\, sharing what they've learned\, and creating opportunities for the women coming up behind them.
X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:Women in Business Symposium 2026
\n\nInspiring Women. Empowering Leadership. Driving Change.
\n\nDescription
\n\nThe 2026 Women in Business Symposium is a dynamic half-day experience designed to empower\, connect\, and celebrate women leaders\, entrepreneurs\, and professionals across all industries.
\n\nHosted by the Richmond Hill Board of Trade\, this signature event brings together influential speakers\, industry experts\, business leaders\, and professionals for an inspiring day of thought-provoking discussions\, meaningful networking\, and practical insights.
\n\nAttendees will explore leadership strategies\, personal and professional growth\, innovation\, and the evolving role of women in today'\;s business landscape.
\n\nWhether you are an emerging entrepreneur\, established executive\, or aspiring leader\, the Women in Business Symposium provides an opportunity to gain new perspectives\, build confidence\, expand your professional network\, and connect with like-minded business professionals.
\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \;
\n\nGuest Speaker
\n\n\n \;\n\nSANAZ HOOMAN
\n\nSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPULENCE GLOBAL &\;
\n\nCHIEF CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FERI DESIGNER LINES
\n\nSanaz Hooman is an accomplished entrepreneur\, award-winning designer\, philanthropist\, and mentor whose journey is a testament to resilience\, compassion\, and determination.
\n\nBorn in Iran and immigrating to Canada in 1987 as a young girl\, Sanaz overcame language barriers and cultural differences to build a remarkable career from the ground up. Inspired by her father&rsquo\;s entrepreneurial journey and the supportive network of newly immigrated women around her\, she developed a deep passion for empowering others.
\n\n \;
\n\nFrom a young age\, Sanaz worked with children\, including children with autism\, which helped shape her profound empathy and commitment to supporting vulnerable communities. Her philanthropic work focuses on empowering women in need\, supporting orphanages in Africa\, and contributing to charitable initiatives across Canada\, Iran\, Kenya\, Uganda\, and beyond.
\n\n \;
\n\nProfessionally\, Sanaz serves as Senior Vice President of Opulence Global and Chief Creative Director of the FERI Designer Lines. Her innovative work as a designer has earned her industry recognition\, including Designer of the Yearand Handbag of the Year honours. She has also been featured in notable publications\, including Oprah Winfrey&rsquo\;s Women of Wealth Magazine.
\n\n
\nBeyond her professional achievements\, Sanaz is committed to mentorship and inclusivity. She continues to mentor and inspire entrepreneurs around the world while using her platform to uplift women\, children\, and underserved communities.
\n\n \;
\n\nHer story embodies the spirit of resilience\, empowerment\, entrepreneurship\, and giving back.
\n \;\n\n
\n\nPavla Van Zyl
\n\nBusiness Builder | Educator | People-Centred
\n\nPavla Van Zyl combines an entrepreneurial mindset\, an educator'\;s commitment to developing people\, and a leader'\;s ability to turn vision into action. Over more than 25 years\, she has helped businesses grow\, operated her own ventures\, forged strategic partnerships\, and led teams large and small across industry and higher education.
\n\nHer career has taken her from Canada'\;s food industry to corporate training in Japan\, and into higher education as a faculty member at Durham College and later Dean of Business at Georgian College. Today\, she leads graduate student recruitment and admissions at Niagara University Ontario.
\n\nAn MBA graduate and Project Management Professional\, Pavla brings strategic thinking\, creative problem-solving and a people-centred approach to leadership\, with candour and humour along the way. She values the opportunity to contribute beyond the workplace\, believing that strong communities grow through meaningful connections\, mutual support and a willingness to give back.
\n\nHer guiding belief: "\;Your day is not complete until you make someone else'\;s day
\n
\n
\n \;
\n\n
\n\nLENA GUIRGUIS
\n\nEntrepreneur | Real Estate Investor | Community Leader
\n\nLena Guirguis is an entrepreneur\, real estate investor\, and community leader with more than 20 years of experience building businesses and investment portfolios in Canada and the United States.
\n\nHer entrepreneurial journey began in her early twenties and has since taken her through real estate investment and property management\, business consulting\, coworking\, and community development.
\n\nShe is the co-founder of Flex Space Inc. in Richmond Hill and the founder of Stilettos &\; Hammers&trade\;\, a women&rsquo\;s network she created in 2012 after experiencing firsthand the need for stronger support and connection among women building businesses and investing in real estate.
\n\nToday\, Lena also serves as Vice-Chair of the Village of Richmond Hill BIA\, where she works alongside local businesses and community partners to support a stronger downtown.
\n\nAt the centre of Lena&rsquo\;s work is a belief in the power of connection\, collaboration\, and community. She is especially passionate about women supporting one another\, sharing what they&rsquo\;ve learned\, and creating opportunities for the women coming up behind them.
\n
LOCATION:Event Information Date: Wednesday\, October 14\, 2026 Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Location: Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites Address: 600 Hwy 7\, Richmond Hill\, ON L4B 1B2 Tickets RHBOT Members: $98 + HST\, Lunch Included. Non-Members: $135 + HST\, Lunch Included. Corporate Table of 8 (Member) - $720 +HST Corporate Table of 8 (Non- Member) - $960 +HST HST and applicable fees are extra. Display Booth Opportunities Showcase your organization and connect directly with attendees through a display booth at the symposium. Members Display Booth - $220 1 event ticket 1 display table Lunch Included Non-Member Display Booth - $280 1 event ticket 1 display table Lunch Included
UID:e.3521.25920
SEQUENCE:3
DTSTAMP:20261003T010022Z
URL:https://business.rhbot.ca/events/details/women-s-symposium-2026-25920
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