In an era where leadership demands more than ambition, a new generation of women is setting the bar for what it means to be trailblazers. These are not simply power players; they are visionaries, reinventing industries, sparking cultural change, and challenging norms with unflinching commitment. From hospitality mavens preserving culinary tradition and turning their resources toward local and global community aid to beauty entrepreneurs redefining clean, sustainable standards, each woman in this guide embodies a rare blend of purpose and prowess. Their work is rooted in more than profit; it’s driven by a determination to build lasting legacies and craft solutions for the world around them.
As architects of impact, they’re reimagining what corporate responsibility looks like—be it through sustainable initiatives, innovation in design, or fostering opportunities for the underserved. This is a celebration of those who lead with conviction, setting an example of stewardship that’s as transformative as it is inspiring.
Janet Zuccarini
CEO, Gusto 54 Restaurant Group
As the driving force behind Toronto’s acclaimed Gusto 54 Restaurant Group, Janet Zuccarini is a rare blend of visionary and architect, crafting a culinary empire that pays homage to her Italian heritage while pushing the boundaries of what hospitality can be. Her restaurants, including the beloved Gusto 101 and the pasta-centric Felix Trattoria in Los Angeles, are more than dining destinations; they are community anchors, each designed to deliver a dining experience that balances warmth and precision, artistry, and authenticity.
For Zuccarini, food has always been a universal language, a bridge connecting diverse backgrounds around a shared table. Rooted in her Italian upbringing, where meals were occasions for connection, she’s made it her life’s work to recreate that sense of gathering and nourishment for her guests. It’s this deeply personal ethos that informs each of her ventures. From hiring top-tier culinary talent to preserving traditional food craftsmanship, she’s not just feeding patrons—she’s honouring culture and tradition, making her restaurants feel like living museums that celebrate the artistry of handmade dishes.
Sasha Plavsic
Founder, ILIA Beauty
Sasha Plavsic, founder of ILIA Beauty, has redefined what it means to be clean and conscious in an industry often driven by excess. With a background in design and a passion for health, Plavsic launched ILIA in 2011 to pioneer a new standard for beauty: high-performance makeup that’s good for both skin and the planet. The brand’s sustainability efforts are as bold as its aesthetic, from ethically sourced ingredients to innovative refill and recycling programs that tackle waste head-on. Each product is a blend of potent botanicals and active ingredients, crafted with transparency and integrity. Plavsic’s vision for ILIA has not only reshaped consumer expectations but has set a high bar for sustainability in beauty, proving that luxury and responsibility can—and should—go hand in hand.
Noura Sakkijha
Founder, Mejuri
At the helm of Mejuri, Noura Sakkijha has redefined fine jewelry, blending luxury with social responsibility. As the company continues to rise, so does its commitment to sustainability and community impact. The Empowerment Fund, launched in 2020, has already funneled over $1 million to scholarships, empowering underrepresented communities through partnerships with organizations like Indspire and the UNCF. These contributions have provided 127 scholarships, fueling ambition for those often sidelined in creative industries.
Sakkijha’s latest initiative, the Mejuri Design Excellence Award, channels funding directly to emerging talent in art and design schools worldwide. Through this program, Mejuri provides scholarships, portfolio reviews, and mentorship to foster the next generation of jewelry artisans. It’s a blend of financial support and hands-on guidance—investing not only in today’s sustainability but tomorrow’s creative visionaries.
Furthering their pledge to sustainability, Mejuri is pushing to achieve climate-positive status by 2030, with measurable targets submitted to the Science Based Targets initiative. For Sakkijha, this isn’t just about traceability or emissions—it’s about redefining what it means to be a luxury brand that leaves a lasting, positive legacy.
Carrie Baker
President, Canada Goose
Canada Goose’s Carrie Baker is redefining what it means to lead a legacy brand in the modern era. Under her stewardship, Canada Goose has expanded globally while pushing forward with ambitious sustainability goals, setting new standards for responsible luxury. Baker champions the company’s commitment to being carbon-neutral by 2025, incorporating recycled and ethically sourced materials across its collections. Beyond product innovation, she’s also guided the company through impactful community initiatives, like with Polar Bears International, which funds critical research and awareness efforts to protect these endangered icons of the North. For Baker, growth isn’t just about numbers; it’s about balancing profit with purpose, making Canada Goose a trailblazer in both style and sustainability, while actively contributing to conservation efforts at the heart of its heritage.
Joanna Griffiths
CEO, Knix
Joanna Griffiths, founder of Knix, has not only redefined intimate apparel but also championed a revolution in body positivity and inclusivity. Knix, under Griffiths’ leadership, has become synonymous with comfort and confidence, catering to real bodies of all shapes and sizes—a rarity in an industry that has often overlooked diversity. The brand’s bold campaigns and size-inclusive approach encourage women to embrace their bodies unapologetically, from customizable shapewear to active and everyday essentials.
At the heart of Knix’s community impact is the Knix Fund, an initiative that provides financial support to women-led organizations working to break down barriers. Since its inception, the Fund has contributed over $500,000 to organizations focused on mental health, homelessness, and body empowerment. Additionally, Griffiths launched the Positive Returns program, where lightly used returns are donated to women’s shelters, empowering women in difficult situations with essentials designed for comfort and confidence.
Griffiths has built more than a brand; she’s crafted a community that uplifts women, embodying empowerment not just in message but in action. Knix isn’t just underwear—it’s a movement for positive change.
Keesa Koomalsingh
Founder, HoopQueens
Keesa Koomalsingh, known as Keesa K., is rewriting the playbook on empowerment with HoopQueens, a Toronto-based initiative that fuses basketball and community. Through HoopQueens, Koomalsingh creates spaces where women and girls can access mentorship, athletic development, and leadership opportunities, all underpinned by the transformative power of sport. Her courts aren’t just about hoops—they’re about building confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. With a clear vision to make sports more inclusive and accessible, Koomalsingh’s work goes beyond the game, using basketball as a tool to drive change, empower the next generation, and showcase the talent and tenacity of women athletes.
Emily O’Brien
Founder, Comeback Snacks
Emily O’Brien, founder of Comeback Snacks, isn’t just changing the popcorn game—she’s challenging perceptions around second chances. After serving time herself, O’Brien launched Comeback Snacks to create high-quality, inventive popcorn flavors, but with a mission that goes far beyond snacks. Her brand is a vehicle for prison reform advocacy and breaking down stigmas around hiring the formerly incarcerated. Through Comeback Snacks, she has championed fair employment practices and actively hires individuals with criminal records, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity.
LISTEN: Emily O’Brien on How a Stint in Jail Led to an Entrepreneurial Success Story
O’Brien’s approach to reform is bold and authentic, rooted in lived experience. She partners with community organizations to provide education on reintegration, believing that everyone deserves an opportunity to redefine their story. Her popcorn business, stocked in major stores across Canada, has become a symbol of resilience and hope, proving that an entrepreneurial vision can spark conversations, inspire change, and offer a path forward for those impacted by the justice system.
Madelyn Chung
Founder, The RepresentASIAN Project
As a journalist and content creator who’s seen the industry’s blind spots firsthand, Madelyn Chung founded The RepresentASIAN Project to confront the media’s underrepresentation of Asian communities with an unapologetically bold approach. Her project serves as both a showcase and sanctuary, spotlighting Asian talent and stories that challenge stereotypes and celebrate identity in its full complexity.
With a mission to elevate visibility and redefine Asian representation, Chung’s platform pushes beyond tokenism. Through impactful profiles, features, and collaborations, RepresentASIAN amplifies voices that have long been minimized in mainstream media, setting a new standard for diversity. She’s fostering a space where Asian creators, entrepreneurs, and change-makers find genuine representation, all while educating audiences and empowering her community to see themselves as central to the story, not sidelined. By building RepresentASIAN, Chung isn’t just advocating for inclusivity—she’s giving Asian Canadians a stage on which they can be seen, heard, and celebrated.
Read Chung’s full interview here.
Jessica Matten
Actor, Activist
Jessica Matten is redefining what it means to tell Indigenous stories in film. As an actor, activist, and advocate for Indigenous representation, Matten’s body of work, including her most recent role in Netflix’s Rez Ball (which debuted at this year’s Toronto International Film festival) embodies her mission to amplify Indigenous experiences through storytelling. In this high-stakes sports drama, inspired by Michael Powell’s Canyon Dreams, Matten portrays Coach Heather Hobbs, a former athlete who returns to her Native American reservation to lead a high school basketball team as they chase championship dreams. But beyond basketball, the film dives into themes of identity, community, and the power of mentorship.
RELATED: Jessica Matten Brings Indigenous Resilience to Life in Rez Ball
Rez Ball is more than a sports film; it’s a vehicle for celebrating Indigenous culture and community pride. By spotlighting basketball’s role in Indigenous communities, the movie illuminates how sport can offer a sense of belonging and purpose. In her role as Heather, Matten captures the strength and dedication of a woman who not only teaches her players the game but also the resilience needed to overcome societal and personal challenges. Heather’s character serves as a guidepost for the boys on her team, helping them navigate life’s complexities while preserving their cultural roots and pride. Matten, who has worked closely with Indigenous youth throughout her career, brings a sense of genuine care to the role, reflecting the importance of cultural mentorship within Indigenous communities.
“Basketball in this film goes beyond the game—it’s a lifeline,” Matten explains. “For Indigenous youth, it’s a beacon of hope, a way to create confidence and pride.”
Rez Ball also addresses a broader, essential issue: the need for visibility of Indigenous narratives in mainstream media. As one of the few widely accessible films that centers Indigenous characters and stories, it’s part of a larger, impactful movement to bring diverse, authentic Indigenous stories to the screen. This representation is crucial not only for Indigenous viewers, who rarely see themselves accurately portrayed in cinema, but also for non-Indigenous audiences, who gain an understanding and appreciation of these rich cultures and histories. Matten’s work is a reminder that while the past shapes Indigenous identity, it does not define it; stories like Rez Ball embody the resilience and pride that propel Indigenous communities forward.
Through her work, Matten is part of a pioneering shift in cinema, ensuring that Indigenous communities are represented with dignity, nuance, and respect.
Justice & Nia Faith
Co-founders, Revolutionairre
Sisters Nia and Justice Faith Betty are sparking a movement with Revolutionnaire, a platform dedicated to amplifying scalable social impact. Through partnerships with the UN and other global initiatives, they’re empowering young changemakers to tackle pressing issues like climate action, racial equity, and mental health. Their work goes beyond online campaigns; Revolutionnaire equips individuals with tangible resources, tools, and a connected community to drive change. From grassroots efforts to global dialogues, Nia and Justice have created a blueprint for meaningful activism, proving that the power to revolutionize the world belongs in everyone’s hands. Their journey is not just about change—it’s about inspiring others to dream big and act boldly.
Reetu Gupa
Ambasadress, The Gupta Group
As ambasadress of The Gupta Group, and president of the Gupta Family Foundation, Reetu Gupta has become a driving force in Canada’s hospitality scene, blending keen business acumen with a deep-seated commitment to social impact. Under her stewardship, the Gupta Group has grown into a powerhouse in real estate and hospitality, like spearheading pandemic community efforts, where Reetu led initiatives to support healthcare workers and donated thousands of pounds of food to Second Harvest. But her impact reaches far beyond business.
With The Gupta Family Foundation, Reetu launched the “Boshret Kheir” microfinance program in Sohag, Egypt, which supports marginalized women by providing training, healthcare, and low-interest loans, enabling them to launch their own businesses. This initiative isn’t just about financial support—it’s a holistic approach designed to build lasting independence and pride. “To see these women empowered, to witness their confidence grow, that’s where real change happens,” Reetu says, embodying her family’s legacy of giving back while carving her own path as a trailblazer in both business and philanthropy.
