ENTREPRENEUR NOMINEES
(40+)
For women 40+, initiating and/or administering an enterprise or business.
Award Presented by:
Miranda O'Sullivan, Miranda O'Sullivan - Chestnut Park Realty
Jolene MacDonald
Jolene is a life-long entrepreneur opening her first business at 12 years old, selling homemade arts and crafts and flowers roadside at the family cottage. Today, Jolene leads a team of accessibility champions at her company, Accessibrand, empowering and educating other companies to integrate accessibility into their business operations. Jolene’s business model is about creating equitable access for all and meaningful work for professionals with disabilities. Jolene supports the success of others through value alignment and leading by example. Making a positive difference and being passionate about the work she is doing, is what motivates Jolene as an entrepreneur.
Kim Jackson
Kim is a dynamic woman and the owner of Distinctly Patio. Kim has a background in palliative care and understands the necessary requirements for creating a tranquil environment. Kim is not just a very successful Entrepreneur; she is a person with a heart who gives back to support her community. She reflects the qualities of some of our greatest business leaders being a visionary and possessing some incredible business skills. Kim stands out because of her compassion for others and quest to form lasting relationships with her customers. Kim’s impact in business and community continues to expand and her support of Hospice and Long-Term Care continues.
Lee-Anne Reuber
Lee-Anne is the Founder and CEO of Sekond Skin Society, a health and fitness app designed around accessibility and inclusivity. Lee-Anne's vision and mission for her business is not just about providing more access to health and wellness in a way that is meaningful for everyone but is truly about creating a community where everyone belongs. She is a trailblazer and thought leader in the wellness space, creating a solution that provides much more access to people with disabilities/older adults. Prior to starting her wellness business, Lee-Anne spent over 20 years supporting people with disabilities in a variety of capacities.
Megan Goodchild
Megan is a leader, trusted community member, kind, generous and fair business owner, boss, entrepreneur and friend. Overcoming many setbacks, she put her heart, soul, sweat and tears into creating the space she envisioned for The Attic Yoga. This community space offers safety and inclusivity for all to come and feel welcome exactly as you are. Megan was born to facilitate community and connection, to bring people together in support of one another, and to spread kindness and compassion. The moment you enter The Attic studios you feel seen, welcomed and loved.
Monica Jutzi
Monica Jutzi is owner and operator of Janet Lynn’s Bistro since 2017, after working beside her late husband before that. Although things slowed down through Covid times, it is now back to being one of the best fine dining restaurants in Kitchener Waterloo. Monica guides and mentors her staff on a daily basis and helps them with their personal issues. She has hosted several Mix and Mingle fundraisers for Grand River Hospital for several years before Covid. Monica has also sat on committees such the Canadian Women’s Amateur Committee.
Sandra Reimer
Sandra Reimer is a freelance Communication Strategist who has helped businesses and non-profits tell their stories for 18+ years. Her fundraising letters and proposals enabled non-profits to raise millions of dollars to fuel their missions. Sandra had a dream to help other freelancers build thriving businesses. Her opportunity came when she was accepted into the Rhyze Business Ventures Program and the Innovation Guelph Start-up incubator. In 2020, Sandra launched CoLabourNation, an online community where Canadian marketing and communication freelancers collaborate to multiply their impact and income. Sandra is an innovative business owner and mentor who uses her problem-solving skills to benefit her community.
Sandra Sousa
Independence comes naturally to Sandra. Since arriving in Cambridge from the island of Santa Maria Azores in 1990 the independence trait grew stronger. From learning a new language and living a brand-new lifestyle, Sandra never gave up! For the past 4 years Sandra has been operating her fulltime business Sousa Bookkeeping & Taxes. Specializing in Bookkeeping and Income Taxes, but for 18 years prior Sandra was building her skills working for a variety of clients while having her business on the side. Going that extra mile for her clients and the community is something she takes seriously!
Sue Lanktree
Suzie has always had an entrepreneur spirit. Her love of food and quest to prepare excellent tasting food led her to starting businesses that have been around for 34 years. While married with young children, she started Pizza Junction @ St. Jacobs Farmers Market. Not long after, Sue was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. For many years she worked at developing exceptional gluten free products that leave her customers saying, “I can’t believe it’s gluten free!” She has developed a following in the community because of the taste of her products. Her new venture is a bakery located at the Boardwalk.