N’ora Kalb (that’s the whole thing – 8 letters and an apostrophe, no middle name.)

Director of Operations, Innovate Niagara

non-profit, Business advisory

Chair

almost 4

I have always been interested in getting more women involved in business and in innovative startups.

We raise awareness to the GNCC on issues that are affecting women right now. We give ideas on what education, events and advocacy the chamber can implement.

I think collaborative would be the value I most often embody. I strive to work together so that everyone wins.

I would agree with others!

I am Chair of Rodman Art Institute of Niagara (RAiN). We are stewards of the art collection from the former Rodman Hall. We currently have opened a micro gallery on St. Paul Street in St. Catharines, and are working towards a permanent home for the >1,000-piece collection, so that it can be enjoyed by all of Niagara.

Pottery; walk every morning and work out a couple times a week; and take my dog to training classes. Tennis is starting now so trying to fit that in as well… oh and book club.

Heavyweight, on pause right now so I hope it comes back soon.

Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown!

Stacey Stemplowski

Grounding Balance Wellness & Psychotherapy, Owner/Registered Psychotherapist

Health & Wellness (private)

Vice Chair

2.5

I have always been a feminist and advocate for women’s issues and using my voice for change. The WIN council is a wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded women and engage in community events where women’s issues and experiences are at the forefront.

The WIN Council empowers women in Niagara to be at their economic and social best by providing them with the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive and succeed. Through its various initiatives, the WIN Council aims to create a more equitable and inclusive society where all women can reach their full potential.

I would lean into transparent as being open, honest, candid in both my actions and my communication. I am straightforward and I don’t hide my intentions or feelings. With being transparent, I include having a foundational approach which is bult on being trustworthy and authentic. I remain committed to being open to feedback and a strong willingness with regards to taking responsibility.

That’s a tough one. I grew up surrounded by strong, independent, supportive, and trustworthy women. All of which shaped and impacted me immensely. They lead by example, and I try to embody their approaches every day.

Niagara Region: Women’s Advisory Committee & Brock University Wilmentorship Mentor

Yoga, running, pilates, spending time with my fur babies, hiking, tennis and defintely travelling.

The Body Keeps The Score, by Bessel van der Kolk, MD

The 5am Club, by Robin Sharma.

We Can Do Hard Things

Palm Royale

Build Comfort in the Discomfort

Brandy Fulton, CHRP

HR & Safety Manager for Abatement Technologies and Ravine Winery

Member

In my First Year!

I have always been interested and passionate about women’s rights and how the world interacts with, affects, and supports women everywhere. As I have gotten older, I have seen both in my everyday life and through other’s stories, the news, and politics, how women are still being so affected by policies, laws, and social expectations that have been created. Much to my dismay, I am not able to change these issues overnight, or for the entire world, so I wanted to at least help in my local community and where I am currently seeing shifts and change happening and I feel as though I can make the largest impact. This is where I stumbled upon the WIN Council.

I think the biggest thing about the WIN Council is that every member wants the best possible situation and life for the Women in Niagara. With this mentality, the council takes every opportunity to promote businesses, provide resources and information, and create a sense of collaboration and community for Women in Business (ANY Business/Industry) so they have every means necessary to thrive.

I legitimately had to ask my coworkers and roommate this question so I could answer. Most of which said Transparent. I think it is really important to be real with people who you work with and also who you work for. Owning up to mistakes, allowing yourself to be a real human with real human emotions, and always standing up for what you believe in, allow others to know exactly what to expect from you. With this, they can take it or leave it, however I find most people have more respect for you when they know you aren’t trying to pretend you are perfect.

I do my best daily to be able to say my approach is inclusive. Whether that is developing safe operating procedures at work, creating social media posts and sharing content, or simply interacting with people, I like to live with the mentality that I am not the subject matter expert in what I am doing, and I can ALWAYS learn something from the people around me. I think this works in line with the transparent approach as well.

If I could list them all I would. I have a lot of strong women in my life and have always been inspired by women in history that did amazing work (a reference to my grade 5 school speech about the Famous Five). Most recently I have been inspired by my own family tree and ancestors, especially due to all the things happening in the world. I recently found out I am related to Susan B. Anthony and I just feel it is so inspiring to have a woman in my family line that fought endlessly for her rights and freedoms as well as the rights for others. It is something that I strive to live up to every single day.

Chair of the Environmental Advisory Committee for the City of St. Catharines.
Volunteering at various social and community engagements wherever I am welcome 😊

I am secretly really boring…. I read, garden, care for my indoor plants, and have a pretty decent sized rock collection lol.
I also love to camp and hike when it is not below zero degrees.

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera.

Feminism isn’t about making women strong. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world (women and men) perceives that strength. – G.D. Anderson

Jaime Giles

Manager, Cash Management, TD Commercial Banking

Member (former Vice-Chair)

4

I’ve always been passionate about community and an advocate for social justice and equity, which led me to study Sociology at Brock University. Much of my coursework focused on women’s and gender issues, which highlighted the unique challenges faced by women and the greater intersectionality of oppression. This, combined with my experience working in a male-dominated industry, inspired me to get involved with WIN to empower and bring light to issues impacting women here in Niagara.

WIN does this by facilitating opportunities for women to network, build connections, learn, and access the resources needed to grow their business/in their career.

Courageous – taking on new challenges and being a voice for others.

Collaborative – working with community partners and leveraging networks to influence change.

My grandmother, our mighty matriarch, defied many of the social expectations for women of her time. She was a single mother, divorced, working in the corporate world and raising two girls on her own. I’ve included one of my favourite photos of her taken in the ’70s, (amusingly) advocating to normalize women wearing pants in the workplace. Makes me proud to come from a lineage of strong women.

During my time at TD, I’ve led a number of community and charitable volunteer initiatives supporting local non-profit organizations, including Community Crew, Shoebox Project, and the United Way. In 2023, I was recognized with the TD Community Showcase Award. Outside of TD, I have volunteered with HelpAWS, a dog rescue where I adopted my two beloved pups from St. Lucia. For the past several years, my husband and I have sponsored a family for the holidays, which we have done through Community Care, Gillian’s Place, and most recently, Abbey House (Niagara Regional Native Centre).

gardening, walking and exploring with my husband and two dogs, reading and watching anything historical/related to the Second World War.

All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr

“At the end of the day, people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

Marina Glencross, CHRL

HR Business Partner, S&G HR Consulting

Member

1.5

To connect with and promote the advancement of women in our community through advocacy, education, and sharing resources.

WIN Council promotes and empowers women through recognition at events such as the Women in Business Awards (WIBA) held annually in November, and the International Women’s Day (IWD) event held every March. The WIN/WIN mentorship program also provides a forum for women to successfully share ideas and resources through peer mentorship. There are currently endeavours in place to enhance our platform by sharing resources, recognizing the success of women in our community, and partnering with community networks. The WIN Council’s involvement and partnership with the Niagara Region’s Advisory Committee and executive council allows the opportunity to discuss concerns and challenges women in our community are facing (such as affordable childcare and career advancement).

Respectful. I appreciate that there are different perspectives and that everyone should have an opportunity to contribute valuable thoughts and ideas. It is amazing how the WIN council provides a forum for everyone to contribute equally through council meetings, sub-committee meetings, and during the WIN/WIN Peer mentoring sessions.

This is a tough one! I can think of so many inspiring women; Maya Angelou, Michelle Obama, and Malala Yousafzai come to mind. However, throughout my life, there have been many inspirational women; teachers, mentors, friends, and colleagues who have all inspired me to grow and become the person I am today.

Hiking, walking, reading.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

The Wager by David Grann

“Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.” – Amy Poehler

Erin Hagar

Human Resources Manager, SunOpta Inc.

Food Manufacturing

Member

In First Year

I am passionate about advocating for women in business in Niagara; I am fueled by a desire to dismantle barriers and pave the way for equality and empowerment for women. As a business leader, my commitment is to level the playing field and create a more inclusive environment where all women can thrive. I believe there is an untapped potential of women in business in Niagara. I recognize that talent knows no gender and that by harnessing the skills, talents, and perspectives of women, businesses can reach new heights of success and innovation.

I believe that WIN provides strategic and tactical direction to support our mission and priorities. WIN council identifies issues relevant to women in business in Niagara and provides strategic guidance to address these challenges and opportunities.

Others would likely say that “Collaborative” best describes my approach. My dedication to advocating for women in business is evident not only in my individual efforts but also in my ability to bring people together and foster collaboration toward a common goal. I understand that real progress requires collective action and that by working collaboratively with others, you can amplify your impact and effect meaningful change. My collaborative nature is reflected in my willingness to listen to diverse perspectives, to seek out partnerships and alliances, and to leverage the strengths of others to achieve shared objectives. I recognize that no one person or organization can solve complex issues like gender inequality alone, so I actively engage with stakeholders from all sectors, building bridges and forging connections that strengthen the movement for women’s empowerment in business. Moreover, my collaborative approach is marked by inclusivity, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued in the decision-making process. I create space for dialogue and collaboration, fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute their ideas and expertise.

I would have to agree with what others feel about me. I am very true to my spirit of collaboration.

I’d have to say my former colleague and close friend, Amanda, stands out as a remarkable influence. From the instant I met her, she emerged as a beacon of challenging the status quo – something that you don’t often see from women in business. Fearlessly, she questions norms and addresses injustices. Working alongside her has been an absolute privilege, affording me the opportunity to glean insights into her management style. As a woman with an unwavering voice, she has inspired me in myriad ways. I often seek her advice and feel grateful that I have someone to be a great mentor and ultimately friend.

At SunOpta Inc, we have a sustainability mission and we have been active in the community with various initiatives such as park clean ups, planting and maintaining pollinator gardens, and tree planting. We believe this is the right thing to do within our communities.

I spend a lot of spare time with my family and friends. I have strong family values and enjoy using any chance to be with my nieces and nephews, especially as they are at such a young age. I enjoy being around their free and loving spirit and endless creativity.

Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” ― Thomas A. Edison

Janet Madume

Executive Director, Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural

Non-profit

Member

This is my first year.

The opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of women in need in the Niagara region.

By providing resources, support, and advocacy to help women overcome barriers and achieve their full potential.

Others would say “Courageous and Collaborative” describes me because I’m not afraid to take risks for the greater good and I believe in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change.

I also believe “Transparent” describes my approach as I strive to be open, honest, and accountable in all my interactions.

My mother has been a constant source of inspiration with her resilience, kindness, and unwavering determination to succeed despite facing numerous challenges.

I enjoy watching our son’s basketball practices, travel team etc. I enjoy spending time with my other kids at amusement parks, etc. And I also enjoy cooking and caddying for my husband from time to time (I cannot hit that tiny white ball to save my life).

“The Pigmented”

My life with the Walter Boys

“Empowered women empower women.”

Carolyn Mullin

Director – Strategic Partnerships, Niagara College

post-secondary applied research

Member

In Second Year

As someone working at a post-secondary institution (helping train the next generation of entrepreneurs and business owners), who also works with small businesses through research, I wanted to bring that lens to the work of the committee.

In what feels like just a short time on the WIN Council, I have seen the uplifting power of women working together to address community challenges and barriers to business, while at the same time, taking the time – the absolutely necessary time – to celebrate each other, celebrate successful women in business, and to learn from each other as we journey together. There is no greater feeling than knowing and seeing the difference we make, together.

Others would likely say collaborative, because that is the approach they would see from me on a day-to-day basis, as I work with many teams for various tasks, in my personal/community and business life.

They are smart people, so I’d tend to agree with them. This may go along with inclusive to a certain degree as well, since I always try to make sure everyone has an opportunity to contribute to discussions and actions as well.

In the past I have been blessed to have some amazingly strong female bosses who have both shown how to be a leader in male-dominated vocations, but also how to walk that collaborative walk, leading by working side-by-side with colleagues. That said, my mom was a rock in so many ways, keeping our household afloat through lean times when I was young, and showing me how to be a caring, giving individual in any aspect of life – in work, in community service, in parenthood, etc. She kept smiling and looking for the positive, in everything. I miss her every day.

Reading, jigsaw or crossword puzzles, crafting (does Lego count?), travel in Canada and elsewhere, and spending time with my family by the lake (swimming, kayaking, country walks…) – look out dock, we’ll be diving into that big blue water soon!

Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley (it definitely reads a lot differently than it did in Grade 12!)

Zero Day by David Baldacci

Someone Knows Something

Fallout

We are never given more than we can handle, even though it doesn’t seem like it at the time. Don’t underestimate your capabilities. You’ve got this.

Colleen Smith

CEO, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre

Member, also GNCC Board of Directors

In Second Year

I was drawn to WIN by the opportunity to connect with inspiring new-to-me women from across the region and help elevate the status of women in our communities and in our businesses.

Courageous. Moving across the country at the beginning of a pandemic to being a new job in a new city has garnered a few comments!

See above. Life is an adventure 😉

My grandmothers. One ran the farm in PEI, the other ran a one room schoolhouse. They were strong, feisty and never gave up.

I love our industry and proudly support Culture Days Canada and the International Society of Arts Professionals by being on their Boards.

I love hiking with my two rescue pups, Banjo and his sister, Emmy Lou.

Survivor. It’s timeless reality TV!

Make it sparkle please.

Krystyn Smith

Operations Manager, Trilogen Technologies Inc.

Software Development

Member

First year! Council September 2023, Speakers, but been on events subcommittee for WIN since October 2020

It was important to me to help with programming and advocacy for women in business in Niagara. Having worked in a male-dominated industry, I wanted to offer my experience and volunteer to support women in business.

Through partnerships and leveraging resources, we achieve our purpose. It is our mission to foster the growth and success of women in business in Niagara. We provide a platform for women in business to be recognized through our events. Our platform offers a wide range of events and opportunities for women in business in Niagara. From networking events and workshops to mentorship programs and business showcases, we strive to create an environment where women can connect, learn, and thrive. Whether it’s through accordionpanel discussions, keynote speakers, business awards, International Women’s Day events or bursaries, we aim to provide valuable resources and support for the growth and success of women in the region.

Collaborative. In order to be a leader, you must be able to inspire and motivate your team through your actions, words, and attitude. I strive to motivate my team and work collaboratively to achieve our common goals.

Transparent. I am candid about my opinions, beliefs, and views, yet I remain receptive to hearing and considering those of others. Moreover, I always substantiate my assertions with sound reasoning.

Throughout my life, my aunt Adeline served as a great inspiration to me. Though she has recently passed away, her impact remains with me. She taught me to view the world through a new perspective and encouraged me to approach others with respect and compassion, as one can never truly know the struggles that they may be facing.

Do unto others as you’d have them do to you