Committees & Boards
Message from our president
The WBN runs on volunteer power! Our volunteer Board of Directors is made up of two groups: an executive group managing the organization's administrative and strategic direction and a group of committee chairs representing each of the WBN's volunteer committees with a board seat.
Our volunteer committees are the lifeline of the WBN. They plan, organize and deliver all of the programs and membership services offered by the WBN.
Volunteering with a committee is a fantastic way to expand your network, sharpen your skills and learn more about the organization. And it can be a lot of fun. If you're interested in getting involved, send an email to info@womensbusinessnetwork.ca and we look forward to connecting.
KAREN WILSON
President
Karen Wilson is the marketing and business strategist behind KCW Consulting. Accidental marketers (aka, business owners) invest in Karen’s services to clarify what they want to do and build a personalized plan to make it happen. Instead of checking off boxes on one-size-fits-all lists that don’t work for them, Karen empowers her clients to share their brilliance in the right places and spaces to reach their ideal clients.
For small businesses and not-for-profits that need support with marketing and communications, Karen is the partner who meets them where they are and provides guidance, insights, and recommendations that move them toward achieving their goals without overwhelming already limited resources.
As a WBN member (since 2012), past president of the WBN (2015-2018), and past BYA Gala Chair (2023), Karen is passionate about the support the network gives to its members. She’s honoured to have the opportunity to serve as President once again and be a part of elevating women and their impact in the Ottawa business community.
KAYLA SEIPP
Treasurer
Kayla Seipp, CPA, CA is a Partner with MNP and provides assurance and advisory services to clients. Kayla leads the not-for-profit audit group in the MNP Ottawa office and Eastern Ontario Region. She manages, coordinates and is a key facilitator providing internal learning development courses on various assurance and financial reporting topics for MNP personnel. Kayla also facilitates external courses to non-profit targeted audiences regarding financial reporting management and responsibilities.
Kayla has worked closely with her clients to deliver strong assurance solutions that help them meet their regulatory, governance and compliance requirements. Specializing in audit services for not-for-profit organizations, Kayla has assisted a wide range of healthcare, educational, social services and other not-for-profit and charitable organizations, as well as Indigenous organizations and other private companies, by delivering relevant, reliable and independently reviewed financial information to help them make strategic decisions about the future. Kayla is currently a Board Member of the Bridgepoint Center for Eating Disorders, and an Audit & Finance Committee Member of the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Kayla obtained her Bachelor of Commerce degree with great distinction from the University of Saskatchewan in 2009 and her CA designation in 2011. She has more than 13 years of experience in public practice and is a member of CPA Saskatchewan and CPA Ontario.
MIRA YASIRI
Chair of BYA Nominations
Mira is a Commercial Real-Estate Analyst working with the RBC National team to develop and deliver on business priorities and improve the Client Experience through focused financial advice and solutions to meet the clients’ Commercial Real-Estate needs. Mira has over 15 years of experience in the financial industry working with entrepreneurs and real estate investors. Mira is based out of the RBC Ottawa office and is responsible for Ontario’s North and East territories.
Industry Experience:
Mira has worked with VPs, AVMs, Marketing, and internal and external stakeholders to influence thinking within the organization, reshaping traditional approaches and redefining measures of success. The influence was effective due to developing an implementable strategy that resulted from diverse research, actionable insights, and concise and impactful communications. Mira has also led the strategy formation process of the business development and performance programs by applying functional expertise, creative ideas, and insights to key economic performance indicators. These efforts achieved a sales increase of 15% YOY and an increase in efficiency by 20%, maximizing financial growth. Mira has extensive experience in business development and project management, establishing a reputation as a transformational leader driven by challenge, undeterred by obstacles, and committed to furthering standards of excellence to build consensus among executive teams and stakeholders to promote transparency and influence positive change.
Community Involvement:
In addition to her passion for Gender Equity and commitment as a Board member of the Ottawa Women’s Business Network (WBN), where she is the Businesswoman of the Year Awards Nominations Committee Chair, Mira is an advocate of equitable education for all children.
Mira is an active member of ABC Ottawa. ABC Ottawa works on the local and provincial levels with individuals, teachers, school boards and the Ministry of Education and Training to increase the understanding of bright children at home, school and in the community. It encourages the development of appropriate educational programs.
Mira is also a member of the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) of the Ottawa Catholic School Board, whose mission is to protect the rights of students with special learning needs. Under Ontario’s Education Act, every student is entitled to programming which best meets their needs. SEAC provides information and advice help to parents/guardians whose children require additional support. SEAC advises the Board on establishing and developing special education programs and services.
NICOLA JAINE
VP of Operations
Nicky Jaine, a seasoned professional with two decades of experience in operations management and quality assurance within the technology sector, brings a proven track record of driving process optimization and successfully navigating organizational growth, showcasing a wealth of strategic planning and leadership expertise.
As the founder and sole consultant at Onion Solutions, Nicky provides operational insights, delivering fractional and consulting services tailored for SaaS companies with revenue ranging from $5 to $50 million. With her commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, she is a valued resource for organizations seeking guidance in operations strategy and management. Nicky's background and unwavering dedication to achieving impactful results affirm her as an invaluable ally for companies striving for operational excellence in the dynamic SaaS landscape.
Scout Schooley
Corporate Secretary
Scout began working with Scotia McLeod in 2018 after completing her Bachelor of Commerce with a major in marketing and a certificate in entrepreneurship at the University of Ottawa. She has broadened her knowledge of the financial industry by completing her Canadian Securities Course and Conduct Practices Course with the Canadian Securities Institute and is currently working towards her Certified Financial Planner and Certified Divorce Planning Designation. Scout’s primary focus is to develop and deliver educational material to clients and prospects to help them achieve a better understanding of their finances. She works primarily with female clients ranging in demographics from business owners, divorcees, teachers, stay at home moms, you name it. Scout has worked to understand the difference in the way that women approach finances, and is taking strides to change the financial system so it better supports women in finance. She lives just outside of Ottawa, in Carleton Place, Ontario, and in her free time enjoys planning her upcoming wedding, spending time with her expansive family, and hanging out with her dog, Harper.
PRAGYA DUBEY
Chair of Mentorship
Pragya collaborates with clients to create objective based solutions framework. As Vice President of Global Services at Agility PR Solutions, she leads the customer success teams for Enterprise, SaaS and the Media Insights team delivering custom media analytics solutions.
Pragya has over 20 years of experience in managing clients ranging from Fortune 500 to small to medium enterprises as well as Government and Non-Profit organizations. She has helped design innovative programs that deliver clear ROI and correlation to success metrics for clients. Her industry experience spans across Public Relations, Media Measurement, Social Media analytics and Customer Success.
Pragya holds a Bachelor's degree in Physics and a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from University of Mumbai. She has also taught in the Public Relations program at Algonquin College, Ottawa. She is a regular speaker on the topic of Media Measurement, Communications and has conducted webinars with Agility, PRSA, Crisis Ready Institute and other such industry forums.
Connect with Pragya on Linkedin at http://www.linkedin.com/in/pragsy
KATHERINE COOLIGAN
VP OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
Katherine Cooligan is a Partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, and is a certified specialist in Family Law. She has held senior management roles within Canada’s largest national law firm, including Regional Managing Partner of the Ottawa office. As a native of Ottawa, Katherine has been very involved in the local community, serving terms on the CHEO Foundation Board, The Royal Foundation Board, and is the current Chair of Women for Mental Health with The Royal. She has been a strong advocate for women in business and women in leadership, writing and speaking on these subjects.
Connect with Katherine on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-cooligan-37127933.
DINA BEAUDOIN
Chair of Membership
For many years, Dina supported and appreciated the profound impact of the WBN, from the outside looking in. This was through attending charitable events, participating in community initiatives, and listening to the outstanding stories of WBN founding members. Add to that being a firsthand witness to the rise and evolution of her own mother’s journey as a woman business owner and active contributor within the network, it was only a matter of time before Dina decided to “come on home” to the WBN.
Now as a proud member and self-proclaimed “lifer”, Dina recognizes the powerful ripple effect throughout the NCR because of the collaboration, contribution, and actions that occur amongst members within the WBN. The dedication, relationships, and volunteer efforts can be a force unlike any other. It is both a privilege and a great responsibility to follow in the footsteps of long-time members and the legacy of what this network represents. Dina believes deeply in recognizing how we can honour our history and carry the torch forward.
Professionally, Dina is dedicated to military service and family business. Celebrating 28 years in business, the Beaudoin family supports thousands of consumers with household and health-related grocery services, providing convenient online shopping and home delivery. Dina’s approach is to be REAL and imperfect, as life is all about learning, teaching, and growing together. As a servant leader in her professional and personal life, Dina’s beliefs are to show up with enthusiasm, hard work, vision, compassion, and openness.
OUR COMMITTEES
By getting involved in a committee, you will have a pedigreed introduction to many members of Ottawa’s business community, but best of all, you will have fun collaborating with a group of positive, successful businesswomen. Contact the chairs of any of the following committees to join.
BYA Gala Committee
OVERVIEW
The BYA Committee, working with a professional Event Planner, is responsible for the Businesswoman of the Year Awards Gala — the WBN’s premiere event.
BYA Nominations Committee
OVERVIEW
The Nominating Committee helps increase the profile of WBN members through recognition of their achievements.
MENTORSHIP COMMITTEE
OVERVIEW
The Mentorship Committee leads the WBN’s mentorship program for emerging and mid-level entrepreneurs/corporate professionals who are seeking skills, development and personal/professional growth.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
OVERVIEW
The Membership Committee helps recruit prospective members, welcomes new members, and inspires current members to reach out to their communities.
EVENTS COMMITTEE
OVERVIEW
The Events Committee helps plan and deliver the WBN’s monthly events.