Ten outstanding female entrepreneurs were recognized by the PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise during their annual awards night in Thunder Bay, Nov. 12.
The awards were part of a full-day business education event, dedicated to connecting current and future enterprising women with pertinent industry information, networking opportunities, and mentorship sessions to strengthen regional small business.
The recipients are as follows:
New Business of the Year: Kerry Berlinquette, Breakwater Taphouse
Established Business of the Year : Maggie Chicoine, The Idea Sculptor
Business with Five-Plus Employees : Jennifer Biron, The Redhead and The Chef
Young Entrepreneur: Liesl Orford, Pie.ology
Social Entrepreneur : Veronica Fummerton, Freedom Recreation
Aboriginal Entrepreneur : Sandi Boucher, Traditionally Speaking
Francophone Entrepreneur : Zoe Arsenault, Superior Kinesiology
PARO Volunteer of the Year: Patricia Dellacceca
PARO Circle of the Year : Kat Keeping, SouLynx
PARO Building Bridges of the Year : Pat Newman, White Owl Unique Crafts
“These women are creating positive change across Northern Ontario: promoting the success of their communities, the empowerment of women, and economic development throughout the region,” said PARO executive director and founder Rosalind Lockyer. “They’re finding every way they can to make the North a better place to live.”
The PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise is a not-for-profit social enterprise that collaborates to empower women, strengthen small business, and promote community economic development across Northern Ontario.
