MEET OUR SPEAKERS

Emm Gryner - Keynote

Emm Gryner is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, vocal coach and occasional CBC radio host. She has been nominated three times for a Juno Award, twice for Pop Album of The Year. Emm toured the world with David Bowie, and appears on the recordings "Bowie at The Beeb" and "Glastonbury 2000”. In 2013, she collaborated with astronaut Chris Hadfield on his version of “Space Oddity” recorded partially aboard the International Space Station. 

Emm helps people from all walks of life find their joy through singing and finding their voice, and her speaking engagements and concerts are infused with humour and heart.

Cassie Krygsman

Five years ago, Cassie Krygsman, a full time working mom of two, struggled to find the time and energy to create crafts and activities that were engaging and fun for her kids. After recognizing other working moms shared her struggle, Cassie created Curiosity Box to meet the need and share her love of creativity with children! 

Cassie grew the company to become Canada's leading subscription box for kids. She won awards including Parent Tested Parent Approved and Mompreneur Start up Award. Cassie was featured by CBC, Today's Parent, Steven and Chris, CTV Canada AM, Breakfast Television, The London Free Press and many more. She and Curiosity Box worked with many brands including Kinder, HaperCollins, ParentsCanada and Mabels Labels.

Almost two years ago, Cassie sold Curiosity Box to her partner. She is now a consultant where she enjoys assisting other entrepreneurs by helping them connect to their customers/clients and see the potential in their business by always "looking outside the box".

Melinda Rombouts

Melinda Rombouts is the founder of Natural MedCo. and EVE & Co., a premier, female-focused cannabis brand in the Canadian market.

Melinda has grown hundreds of varieties of plants and through this experience, she has gained extensive plant knowledge, crucial to the growth of a healthy plant and high-quality product.

Melinda’s previous professional experience includes president, manager and owner of numerous large-scale businesses in the agricultural, food, real estate and pharmaceutical industries and through these gained experience and knowledge in marketing, advertising, finance, project management and business development.

Melinda was a recipient of the Ones to Watch Award at the 2019 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, presented by Women of Influence.

Kay Habib

Kay Habib is the founder and CEO of Skilled Accents, a social enterprise. Skilled Accents employs refugee women who create decorative pillows from recycled fabric, sourced from local furniture and drapery stores.

Kay is an interior designer and she believes in creating design products that are meaningful and beneficial to the community and to the environment. An immigrant herself, Kay understands the many challenges refugee women face, especially with limited language and education skills. She aims to not only empower these women financially, but to improve their knowledge, boosting their self-esteem and enhancing their everyday lives.

Because the gorgeous pillows being created at Skilled Accents also have a purpose, Kay's company has gained notoriety in both the design and social enterprise worlds!