Awards! WOMEN OF INSPIRATION™
A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
We are thrilled to extend an invitation to the 9th Annual Women of Inspiration™ Awards, presented by the Universal Womens Network™. This event celebrates the remarkable achievements of women who lead, inspire, and motivate.
This is a historical, significant and transformative moment for women. It is a time for women to be recognized, heard, and valued. It is also a time for men to stand as visible SupportHERs.
It’s an opportunity for women to uplift and champion one another. This is a moment to inspire change towards equity and to secure a place at the decision-making table.
The momentum for female leaders in influential positions is both undeniable and unstoppable. We can and will continue to drive change!
As a female entrepreneur and leader of a women-led business, I am thankful for your belief in my vision and your willingness to join us in this journey.
Having visible role models is essential for paving the way for future leaders, sharing their insights, inspiring others, and breaking down barriers to unlock new opportunities.
To foster change, we need visible SupportHER™ champions who can inspire and encourage us to dream even bigger than we thought possible. I hope you savour the power of connection and inspiration as you celebrate your accomplishments.
“If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough!” – Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf
As we approach our tenth anniversary in 2025, we look forward to having you on this journey and your role as a Woman of Inspiration in New York. Let this remind you that if it were easy, everyone would do it. Always believe in yourself and your dreams.
Congratulations to all our nominees. Thank you for bravely stepping into the spotlight and demonstrating what is possible, inspiring us all to dream big.
Monica Kretschmer
Founder
and CEO,
Universal Womens Network™, Women of Inspiration™ Awards, SupportHER™
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Sweet Basil Catering Kelly Monoz Darcy Bennett
Burns
Hart Foundation
Northstarr Entertainment
Starline Communications
Derouin Design Inc.
The Women of Inspiration™ Awards is presented by the Universal Womens Network™ Inc.
AGENDA
Women of Inspiration™ Awards
10:00 am: Networking | Red Carpet
11:00 am: Welcome
Fireside Chat
WOI + SupportHER™ Panel
Celebration Luncheon, Performances, Keynote Interviews, Media Wall + After Party
5:00 pm: End
CELEBRATION LUNCHEON
Autumn Salad arugula with roasted pear, apples, sunflower seeds & gorgonzola (gf)
Pesto Chicken (gf) Roasted & sliced organic chicken breast served over lemony white bean salad
Roasted Shrimp & Orozo Salad green beans, charred red onion, feta
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad walnuts, dried cranberries, pomegranate seeds & maple dressing (gf/vegan) (parmesan cheese on the side)
Rainbow Quinoa Salad with chickpeas, dates & apricots (gf/vegan)
Chocolate Canache Brownie salted caramel (vegan/nut-free)
Key-Lime Coconut Macaroons (gf/nut-free)
Lemon Cookie Sandwich raspberry cream filling (nut-free)
Ginger Cookie Sandwich pumpkin cream filling (nut-free)
Coffee, Sparking Water with Fresh Lime,
OFFICIAL BEVERAGE PARTNER
Sparking Rose, Red and White Wine
CO-EMCEE | MICHAEL BURNS
CEO, Canada’s Valour Games | Canadas_valour_games
Burns was the CEO of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017. The Invictus Games are the largest international adaptive sports competition in the world featuring ill and injured soldiers and veterans. Burns led the execution of the Games, including building the organization from the ground up, which took more than two years. Under his leadership, the Games secured support from all three levels of government and more than 100 corporate and community partners and recruited more than 1,800 volunteers. The Toronto Invictus Games were completely sold out and generated the highest national and worldwide viewing audience ever for the Games. Michael is a SupportHER™ and Advisor for the Universal Womens Network™ Inc.
HOST | MONICA KRETSCHMER
CEO, Universal Womens Network™ and Women of Inspiration™ | @UniversalWomensNetwork
Monica is the dynamic Founder and CEO of the Universal Women’s Network™, the Women of Inspiration™ Awards, and SupportHER™. As the host of the Women of Inspiration™ Podcast and the publisher of UWomen Magazine™ and the Women of Inspiration™ Book, she is dedicated to unlock the ripple effect to advance women, celebrate the achievements of women and welcoming men to the conversation who SupportHER. A visionary and trailblazer, Monica believes that your story does not define you, it empowers you. Her journey of resilience, known as the “Seven Year Journey,” involved 4,800 hours of litigation and 22 days in family court, inspiring her to establish the Women of Inspiration™ Awards and the Universal Women’s Network™. Since its inception in 2014, Monica has shattered traditional barriers by championing equality. Her accolades include being named one of the Top 10 LinkedIn Voices for Gender Equity in North America and receiving a UN Women’s Initiative Award. During the pandemic, she published the first edition of the Women of Inspiration™ book, Women Driving Change, showcasing 100 inspiring women from various fields featured on graphic trucks traveling across North America.
SPEAKER | DR. MARTHA JOAN HART
Founder and CEO, The Owen Hart Foundation
Dr. Martha Hart is the Founder and CEO of The Owen Hart Foundation, a Canadian charity dedicated to providing educational and housing support. Established in memory of her late husband, Owen Hart, the foundation has made significant contributions to improving lives through scholarships, housing programs, and global charitable initiatives.
PERFORMER | ELIZABETH CHAN
CEO, Merry Bright Christmas Enterprises
Elizabeth Blake-Thomas is an award-winning director, keynote speaker, creativity coach, and philanthropist known for her diverse roles in film and personal development.
As the founder of “Medicine with Words”, Elizabeth offers a unique form of creative coaching designed to help individuals declutter their minds, discover their purpose, and live with intention. Her approach combines mindfulness with creative exercises such as writing and drawing, allowing clients to embark on transformative journeys of personal growth. With over 20 years of experience in theater direction and 8 years in film, Elizabeth’s creative insight and personal journey have shaped her work as a “personal trainer for the mind,” helping others navigate their creative and emotional landscapes.
SPEAKER | ELIZABETH BLAKE THOMAS Co-Founder, Mother Daughter Entertainment (MDE) | Founder (MWW) Medicine with Words
Elizabeth Blake-Thomas is an award-winning director, keynote speaker, creativity coach, and philanthropist known for her diverse roles in film and personal development.
As the founder of “Medicine with Words”, Elizabeth offers a unique form of creative coaching designed to help individuals declutter their minds, discover their purpose, and live with intention. Her approach combines mindfulness with creative exercises such as writing and drawing, allowing clients to embark on transformative journeys of personal growth.
SPEAKER | JULISSA SOTO CEO, Julissa Soto Latino Health Equity Consulting
Julissa Soto stands at the forefront of the movement for Latino health equity, a beacon of empowerment and change dedicated to positive visibility. Through her advisory, Julissa Soto Latino Health Equity Consulting, she extends her influence from Colorado on a nationwide and global scale. Soto has trained over 5,000 health providers and presented to 10,000 healthcare professionals across 117 countries on the “Power of Cultural Validation.
SPEAKER | KRIS ANN BRADY Vice President, Marketing BOLD Brands at Treasury Wine Estates.
Kris Ann Brady is currently Vice President, Marketing BOLD Brands at Treasury Wine Estates where she leads marketing for brands including 19 Crimes, Matua, Pessimist, and our newest female-led brand, Drop of Sunshine which is in collaboration with Hello Sunshine. Prior to Treasury Wine Estates she worked at Bayer Consumer Health and Hunter Public Relations. She has a MBA from New York University and a BS in Communication from Cornell University. Kris Ann lives in New York City where she enjoys exploring the theater and restaurant scene, and is also an avid traveler.
SPEAKER | KATIE PHIPPS
Managing Partner, Vera Causa
Katie is the founder of Vera Causa, a fullservice marketing and communications agency based in Calgary, with a North American footprint. In her role, she is responsible for articulating and guiding the company vision and then building and integrating the business operations systems to achieve it. Vera Causa is one of Western Canada’s fastest-growing agencies with year-on-year growth exceeding 90 percent over three years. Her career in the marketing world has spanned nearly 20 years, touching many diverse brands.
SPEAKER | MELODIE
SCHAFFER
Offshore Sailor
Melodie Schaffer’s first career was in biomedical engineering, where she developed a product that later became the gold standard in dialysis. Her second career was as a mom raising three children, which she did with the same dedication and focus. Her third career was regaining her childhood dream of Ocean racing. She started by scrubbing decks on race boats without pay. Following her dream to race around the world, she bought a used 40-foot boat, entering the Globe 40 inaugural race. As the only female skipper, she earned the respect of her male colleagues. Dealing with extremes of weather, winds, seas and gear breakage she completed the eight legs setting speed records and showing her indomitable spirit. Melodie loves inspiring other women and girls to see they can do anything they choose, if they work hard and focus on their goal.
SPEAKER | RAMYA S. KAPADIA
Artistic Director, Natyarpana School of Dance & Music
Ramya S. Kapadia is a Knoxville-based multi-disciplinary artist specializing in Bharatanatyam dance, Carnatic music (South Indian dance & music), visual art (Warli tribal art) and writing (children’s fiction). She is known for her solo & group works, and for music scores for Indian dancers globally. Ramya has Master’s degrees in Medical Physics and Neuroscience. She believes that art can and should tell stories that move audiences to becoming better and more compassionate human beings.
SPEAKER | EMMA MAY
Founder and CEO, Sophie Grace
Emma is the Founder of the digitally native apparel brand SophieGrace.ca. She was a corporate lawyer for 10 years, founded the boutique Real Estate Brokerage Charles Real Estate and is the proud mom of two young adults. Emma also served as the Executive Director of the Office of the Premier in Southern Alberta to former Alberta Premier Jim Prentice.
SPEAKER | DUANE (D.O.) GIBSON
CEO, North Starr Entertainment | UWN SupportHER™ Duane (D.O) Gibson has defied the odds as a rapper from Canada, becoming a certified international artist, a successful record label executive and a socially active community ambassador and Universal Womens Network, SupportHER™ Champion. He set a Guiness World Record when he freestyled for nearly non hours in 2003, sold tens of thousands of CD’s, hit #1 on U.S. College Hip Hop radio charts and travelled the world performing for sould out crowds; D.O’s success is defined in her own terms.
SPEAKER | SWEET BASIL CATERING
Founder and Creative Director, Amy Aversa
Sweet Basil Catering is a woman-owned, full-service New York City catering & event planning company specializing in seasonal cuisine with beautiful presentation and top-notch service. Sweet Basil Catering was founded by Amy Aversa, a professionally trained chef, food stylist, and award-winning caterer. Before immersing herself in the culinary arts, Amy had a career in the fashion industry. The skills she honed in the world of fashion have seamlessly translated into her catering business.
PERFORMER | DJ POWER/DEREK SAN VICENTE
CEO, Starline Communications | @djpowermusic
DJ Power is an award-winning DJ/Producer who has released music and performed with international artists such as Sean Paul, Davido, 50 Cent, Chainsmokers, Burna Boy, Vybz Kartel, Walshy Fire (Major Lazer), Afro B, Far East Movement, Wyclef Jean, Machel Montano & more. Power’s productions have been featured in the NY Times, Complex, Fader among countless others. His name precedes him at world-class venues and festivals including Paris Olympics 2024. He’s toured North America, the Caribbean, Asia, Africa and Australia several times.
SPEAKER | SANDRA FILOPOULOS
Co-Founder, Filo Import Inc.
Sandra Filopoulos is the Co-Founder of Filo Import Inc, a company specializing in importing unique products. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Sandra plays a key role in sourcing high-quality goods and building strategic partnerships. She is committed to delivering exceptional value and service to clients while fostering sustainable business practices. She is a source of inspiration within her own company, in her industry, but also in all the communities in which she is tirelessly involved.
Join the conversation #Womenofinspiration #WOI2024InspireChange #SupportHER
Nominate a Woman of Inspiration™, SupportHER™ or Top Company – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion SupportHER™ Champion
To learn more visit: universalwomensnetwork.com THANK YOU PARTNERS
