Inspiring the Next Generation of Women Leaders

Yasmin, an accomplished entrepreneur and Information Technology professional with 35+ years of experience, began her career creating business software applications. She co-founded Atlas Systems Group in 1988, later merging it with CompCanada to form Acrodex, where she served as president until its sale in 2015. Her strategic leadership propelled Acrodex to a leading position in Canada’s IT solutions landscape. Presently, amongst other businesses, Yasmin co-owns Dexcent, an industrial automation engineering consulting company. Beyond business, Yasmin is deeply involved in boards such as Chair of NAIT’s Board of Governors and a board member at Alberta Blue Cross and Alberta Foundation of the Arts. She previously served on many boards including CBC/Radio Canada, Aga Khan Foundation Canada, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, FOCUS Canada and the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region. Yasmin has received several honours, including being inducted into the Business Hall of Fame of Junior Achievement of Northern Alberta, Alberta’s Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medal, NAIT Honorary Bachelor of Technology degree, University of Alberta Alumni award, and Fellow Member by the Canadian Information Processing Society, recognizing her significant contributions to the Information Technology industry and to the community.

Kristina worked for several technology companies where her responsibilities spanned the spectrum of legal, regulatory, international and new business development, corporate strategic planning, intellectual property management, as well as marketing and sales. At Alberta Enterprise Kristina has led several of the corporation’s investments. In 2014 she was named the President and CEO, and she now oversees the management of the Alberta Enterprise Fund.

Dawn is the founder and President of ExquisiCare Inc. ExquisiCare Inc. is an alternative to institutional care, focused on providing the highest quality of professional and personalized care in a residential environment. Dawn was honoured by Avenue Magazine as one of Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2011. In 2013 she was named by Business In Edmonton magazine as one of Edmonton's Top 20 Future Visionary Business Leaders. She was featured on Global TV as a Woman of Vision in October 2014. ExquisiCare was awarded a Mayor’s award for the design of her Senior Living Homes. Dawn served as the role of Chair of the Board for the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, founded the SouthWest Edmonton Minor Baseball Association, and was later Vice President of the Board. Additional NFP Board experience includes a term as President of the Seniors Housing Society of Alberta and MS Cabinet member with the University of Alberta Hospital Foundation. This year, Dawn will be a Mentor with the JA She LEADS program. Dawn believes wholeheartedly, that our greatest tool to building a strong community is through a strong and vibrant business sector.

With extensive business experience, Pauline built a career specializing in high performance sales leadership, business development and strategic account management. Passionate, energetic, disciplined and results-driven, she is known for building teams who exemplify sales excellence and customer-centricity. Global Sales Leadership, National Sales Leadership, Key Account Management, Strategic Account Management, Strategic Planning, CRM implementation, utilization & optimization, Sales Analytics, Team Building, Conflict Management, Negotiation.

In 2012, Kendall Barber and her sister launched Poppy Barley because they couldn’t find anything like it. Although they were newcomers to shoemaking, they were raised to be creative, ambitious, industrious and ask a lot of questions. From Edmonton, Alberta, she searched for factories that shared their vision to re-think the footwear industry. Partnering with family-owned factories, Poppy Barley started producing sustainably made footwear and accessories. Today, Poppy Barley is driven by the relentless pursuit to re-think luxury for people and the planet.

As a Chartered Arbitrator and Mediator with over 20 years of experience, Ms. Young handles a wide range of matters. Her arbitration practice focuses primarily on labour and employment matters, as well as sport disputes. Her mediation practice is broad-based, encompassing contract, insurance, real estate, labour and employment, and personal injury disputes. Known for her analytical insight and meticulous attention to detail, Ms. Young brings clarity, structure, and fairness to every file - whether through written decisions or consensus-based resolution. As a Facilitator, Ms. Young delivers customized 1 to 2 day negotiation seminars for teams preparing to enter issue-rich bargaining environments. Ms. Young’s practice has taken her across Canada, including the Arctic, and internationally to the U.S. and U.K. Services are offered both in person and via Zoom.