Description

Women in Business Symposium 2026

Inspiring Women. Empowering Leadership. Driving Change.

Description

The 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.

Hosted 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.

Attendees will explore leadership strategies, personal and professional growth, innovation, and the evolving role of women in today's business landscape.

Whether 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.

Guest Speaker

SANAZ HOOMAN

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPULENCE GLOBAL &

CHIEF CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FERI DESIGNER LINES

Sanaz Hooman is an accomplished entrepreneur, award-winning designer, philanthropist, and mentor whose journey is a testament to resilience, compassion, and determination.

Born 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.

From 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.

Professionally, 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.

Beyond 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.

Her story embodies the spirit of resilience, empowerment, entrepreneurship, and giving back.

Pavla Van Zyl

Business Builder | Educator | People-Centred

Pavla 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.

Her 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.

An 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.

Her guiding belief: "Your day is not complete until you make someone else's day


 

LENA GUIRGUIS

Entrepreneur | Real Estate Investor | Community Leader

Lena 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.

Her 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.

She 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.

Today, 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.

At 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.