In 2022, Beth joined Hewson Brothers Building Supply, where she has played a key role in driving marketing innovation and industry engagement. That same year, she faced a Stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis. Now cancer-free, she remains dedicated to the building materials industry, blending her expertise in design, marketing, and building science to make a lasting impact.

Beyond her professional achievements, Beth is a passionate advocate for young women battling breast cancer and regularly guest speaks on topics such as women’s rights in the workforce, equal parenting, and marketing innovation. She believes strongly in giving back to the communities where she spends her time, both personally and professionally.

Beth lives in Cambridge, Ontario, with her husband and three children—Olivia (17), Jack (10), and Charlee (3). As a wife and mother, she values the balance between career, advocacy, and family, striving to create a more inclusive and supportive industry for future generations.

Her lifelong fascination with royalty, genealogy, and travel is matched only by her deep care for family, friends, and community. Caroline’s commitment to service is most evident through her work with Kiwanis – an international service club dedicated to helping children and improving communities. She is the current President-Elect and past Secretary of the Kiwanis Club of North Dumfries and past Secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Abilene, Texas; and serves as Director on the Ayr Cemetery Board.
While living in Texas, Caroline took on a major leadership role as Chairwoman of the Silent Auction for her local Kiwanis Club’s annual Pancake Day – a massive event feeding nearly 5,000 people and requiring nearly 200 volunteers. Her months of tireless work led to a record-breaking success, igniting her desire to continue giving back through Kiwanis.
Today, Caroline and her family are turning tradition into impact through Texnadian Sugarbush, their maple syrup operation rooted in the legacy of her great-grandfather, grandfather, and father. Proceeds from the syrup sales are directed to support local Kiwanis programs, ensuring that the values passed down through generations continue to make a difference in the lives of others.
With unwavering enthusiasm, a strong sense of heritage, and a deep love for her community, Caroline Lee is not only preserving a family tradition – she’s building a legacy of service, leadership, and connection for future generations.

Her efforts have earned her recognition, including the Adele Murray Award for her positive impact on the arts community in Waterloo Region. Chudear was also nominated for the Bernice Sanders Award, which honors contributions to the growth and development of arts and literature in Cambridge, Ontario. Additionally, Chudear published her first poetry book in May 2024. She is also an artist herself, having her work featured at the Berlin Tower Artspace in Kitchener City Hall. Chudear aims to continue impacting the community through her love of art and literature.

She is the Vice-Chair of the city of Cambridge Accessibility Advisory Council and a member of Family & Consumer Advisory Council for Independent Living – Waterloo Region.

Her biggest contribution to the disability community is the creation of her show {dis}ABILITY Unleashed – which she hopes to build into a conference in the future.

She is currently a Senior IT professional; leading and driving the implementation of mission-critical programs and projects at a renowned organization in Canada. Cindy lectures part-time at the School of Business in Conestoga College, Canada.

She has served as the Director of the School Empowerment Support Network (SESN). She currently sits on the board as Communications Director at Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo (NIROW). She also sits on the Board and Governance Committee of Rising Oaks Learning, an early-year centre in Ontario. She was recently elected to join the board of directors at Cambridge Federal Liberals Association. Cindy also volunteers on the Community Grants Committee of the Waterloo Region Community Foundation.
Cindy holds an Undergraduate Degree in Computer Science, a master’s in business administration with a specialty in finance as well as a Project Management postgraduate degree (Distinction) from the prestigious Conestoga College of Advanced Learning and Technology. She has attended several training courses spanning project management, telecommunications, education, strategic leadership, technology, business, innovative learning, STEM, Lean Six Sigma, IT service management to mention a few.

She recently bagged a certificate at the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge – an 8-week course on Strategic Thinking for CXOs. She is certified in project management PMI, ITIL, Scrum, and Montessori early years education(NAMC). She is a beneficiary of the Onyx Scholars Initiative Program.
When she is not driving strategic growth, improving processes, and leading innovative initiatives, you will find her promoting STEAM education or vounteering. She has mentored several platforms including WTEC – Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre and Community Impact Group – CIG
She is passionate about innovation in the IT industry, re-engineering education as well as grooming young leaders globally.

Beyond aesthetics, she is committed to enhancing senior well-being, offering companionship, emotional support, and a compassionate touch. Diana also leads a team of skilled professionals, mentoring them to provide exceptional, patient-centered care. Her dedication to expanding and adapting services ensures that every client receives the highest level of comfort, relaxation, and dignity.

Through her vision, leadership, and commitment to her community, Diana has transformed senior care, making wellness accessible, inclusive, and deeply meaningful.

A graduate of Tripoli University’s Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Nuri completed her residency in Medical Microbiology at McMaster University, earning dual certifications in Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Her work during the COVID-19 pandemic earned her recognition as a Community Healthcare Champion. She is widely published and has led numerous quality improvement initiatives in laboratory medicine, receiving accolades such as the Harry Richardson Award and the Chiefs Award for Quality Improvement.
Deeply involved in hospital committees and professional organizations, Dr. Nuri is a dedicated advocate for evidence-based practice, patient safety, and mentorship in healthcare.

A mentor with Support Ontario Youth and a Napa Gearhead, Emily is redefining what’s possible for women in trades. Her mission: to create a future where no woman has to fight for her place.

As a mother of four, Faune sought a more purpose-driven path and transitioned into the philanthropic sector, where she found her true calling. Drawing on her corporate experience, she now channels her energy into advancing child development and addressing childhood hunger. Her mission centers on advocating for the less fortunate and nurturing a strong sense of community accountability.
Faune’s current goals include expanding food access for the 4,000 children in need across Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, Wilmot, and Woolwich, while participating on impactful boards and influencing policy change. She also hopes to mentor emerging leaders and consult with organizations on community engagement and advocacy. Deeply inspired by her children and community leaders, Faune remains committed to fostering empathy, kindness, and lasting change.

 Jasjit has also been featured in various newspapers, magazines, and documentaries, showcasing her expertise and inspiring others..

Her leadership has helped shape a program that not only provides essential supplies like harm reduction gear, food, and hygiene products but also fosters connection, dignity, and trust within the community.

Jess’s work is deeply informed by her own lived experience. Having once accessed the very services she now leads, she brings an unparalleled level of empathy, honesty, and understanding to her role. She is an unwavering advocate for people with lived and living experience, ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making spaces and that opportunities for meaningful involvement and employment are available to them. Under her leadership, Sanguen’s peer workforce has grown exponentially, demonstrating the value of peer-led initiatives in harm reduction and community care.

Jess is known for her ability to bridge gaps—between management and frontline staff, between service providers and the people they support, and between community organizations working towards the same goals. With an approach grounded in radical acceptance, humour, and a fierce commitment to justice, Jess continues to break barriers, challenge stigma, and inspire those around her.

Her impact extends beyond Sanguen, as she actively educates donors, funders, and policymakers on the realities of drug use and homelessness. Whether she’s advocating for better policies, supporting peers in their personal and professional growth, or simply creating spaces where people feel seen and valued, Jess embodies the spirit of the Women of Distinction Award. Her unwavering dedication to lifting others up and creating meaningful change makes her a truly deserving recipient of this recognition.

Since 2021, she has been an active volunteer with the Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS), where her contributions have been instrumental in organizing events, educational programs, and cultural celebrations that highlight the historical and contemporary contributions of Black Canadians.

This spring, she will lead an environmental student program with GBHS, engaging youth in sustainability initiatives and promoting ecological awareness. Keira’s commitment to education and advocacy also extends to her involvement with St. Benedict’s parent committee, where she has been an active member since 2020. Her efforts have helped shape a more supportive and inclusive school community, advocating for the needs of students and parents alike. Additionally, since 2023, Keira has dedicated her time to the Preston Heights Community Group, focusing on local needs, enhancing community engagement, and fostering unity.

In 2024, Keira joined House of Friendship as the Family Outreach Worker for the Preston area. In this role, she goes beyond connecting families with essential resources—she empowers them with the tools and knowledge to create lasting, positive change. Her compassion, resourcefulness, and unwavering dedication inspire those around her, making her a pillar of support for the community. Keira’s selfless leadership is also evident in the countless ways she lifts others. She embodies resilience, often turning personal challenges into opportunities for growth and positive change.

Keira Lewis is a role model whose boundless compassion, tireless work ethic, and unwavering commitment to community building make her a deserving recipient of the Women of Distinction Award.

Her work extends beyond programming she is committed to addressing systemic challenges, advocating for equity, and strengthening community partnerships to drive lasting change.

Born in Jamaica, Krysanne carries her culture with pride, infusing it into the work she does in the community. She believes in the power of heritage, storytelling, and shared experiences to build stronger, more connected spaces. Whether through music, food, or cultural celebrations, she is intentional about bringing the richness of culture to the forefront, ensuring that it is seen, heard, and celebrated.

Beyond her professional commitments, Krysanne is a devoted mother to four incredible children who inspire her advocacy and drive for change. Balancing leadership and motherhood, she embodies hard work, dedication, and resilience. Her passion for justice, kindness, and faith fuels her mission to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. Whether she’s organizing impactful community events, mentoring youth, or navigating the joys of being a mom, Krysanne remains steadfast in her commitment to making a difference one initiative, one connection, and one step at a time.

Louise embodies the spirit of lifetime achievement—not through titles or spotlight, but through consistent, selfless action that uplifts others and strengthens community. Her life reminds us that true leadership often speaks in a quiet, powerful voice.

Neila is driven by a mission to spread love and help individuals break free from negative thoughts, encouraging them to live beyond the shadows of suicide. She works tirelessly to create a safe and nurturing environment for her children while also embracing life to its fullest potential. Through her personal stories, lessons learned, and obstacles overcome, Neila offers a powerful and relatable perspective that resonates with people from all walks of life. She has transformed the hardships of her past into a message of strength and hope.

Neila found her voice through writing, becoming the author of Unleash: Discover Your True Desire and Become the Happiest Person You Know. In addition to her writing, Neila is committed to community service. She volunteers her time collecting food for the Cambridge Food Bank and providing essential items to the homeless. She often buys hats and mittens for those in need and personally distributes them to individuals on the streets of Cambridge. Neila has also completed her certification for the ASSIST program and looks forward to volunteering at the Crisis Center, continuing her work to make a positive impact on others.

She embraces diversity, inspires and helps the elderly, youth, disadvantaged, health challenged, and those experiencing grief. Her volunteerism contributions include Hospice, Soup Kitchen, Safe Injection Sites, Elementary School Reading, Alzheimer Walks, to name a few. She has shown the way to living & giving as an independent retired woman. Her contributions are significant yet she will feel otherwise.

 She volunteers at food banks, shelters, hospitals, and clinics, raising over $2,000 for homeless shelters. At McMaster University, she helps new students find community through the Hope Club and mentors pageant peers, fostering confidence and leadership. While doing it all, she maintains a 4.0 GPA in nursing school, proving her commitment!

As the organization’s Fund Development, Communications, and Advocacy Lead Robyn championed community-centric fundraising practices, helping to build relationships with equity-seeking leaders and long-term sustainability. Robyn continues to support grassroots leaders across Cambridge and beyond to reimagine how we fund and govern social change. Her leadership is grounded in care, collaboration, and a deep belief in the power of nonprofits to transform communities.

A trained historian and writer, Robyn brings a deeply feminist lens to everything she does—grounded in anti-oppressive values, queer and disability justice, and a commitment to making theory actionable in everyday life. She regularly facilitates workshops, trainings, focus groups, and conversations on a variety of topics that create space for people to connect over shared struggles and imagine better futures together. Whether writing about reproductive justice, supporting racialized and 2SLGBTQIA+ leaders, or advocating for more inclusive workplace practices, Robyn is committed to building a world where care is prioritized and equity is non-negotiable.

Previously, Sara worked as senior officer, infrastructure new products and special transactions at the European Investment Bank, with a mandate to catalyze private sector investments in the EU with a focus on climate change and sustainability. Sara is also past co-chair of the World Economic Forum Infrastructure 4.0 Study, “Achieving Better Outcomes with Technology and Systems Thinking.”

Small Steps to Success and its staff became known in the community for their deep support, advocacy, and understanding of the barriers women face. Beyond employment support, participants often found a true community—one that celebrated their goals and stood beside them through every step, even if those steps went backwards. Especially then.

Sara prided herself on supporting women as they navigated complex systemic barriers. She offered hands-on, compassionate support—driving participants to volunteer placements, court, job interviews, shelters, new homes, food banks and clinics; streamlining hiring processes with employers, helping with college applications, finding daycare, immigration processes, and government forms; advocating in appointments; and providing crisis support. She also accompanied women to sensitive medical appointments, always with empathy and without judgment. Her ability to hold space alongside women created a safe, supportive environment. During this time, she was also a part of the Cambridge Employment Facilitator Network, as well as its event planning committee, and the Sex Workers Action Network—further extending her commitment to collaborative, community-rooted advocacy.

She thrived in organizing “warm, fuzzy” projects like Festive Futures and the Backpack Program, ensuring participants and their families had what they needed during seasonal transitions.

Sara is a true cheerleader—celebrating every achievement, offering a listening ear, and greeting everyone with her trademark warm “Hello!” The warmth, energy, and advocacy she brought to the role helped shape a space where women felt seen, supported, and empowered.

Currently, she serves as a Development Coordinator in Annual Giving for the Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation, where she brings her knack for relationship-building and meaningful storytelling to support community health and help raise critical funds for the top priority needs of the Brantford General and the Willett, Paris.

Currently serving in on-call roles with the Waterloo School Board, she supports school operations and student services with professionalism, empathy, and discretion. Fluent in English, Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi, and certified in Canadian settlement work, Sheeba actively supports newcomer communities through language, understanding, and care.

A natural leader, Sheeba has supervised front-line teams, mentored colleagues, and consistently inspired collaborative environments across her roles. Her ability to bring people together, resolve challenges with diplomacy, and lead by example has made her a trusted figure in every workplace and community she serves.

Her creativity is grounded in an academic background that includes an MBA in Marketing and a BFA in Fine Arts. She produced a documentary on Islamic architecture in Spain and was the first to screen a Pakistani film in the Waterloo Region—both efforts reflecting her passion for cross-cultural storytelling and representation. Whether planning events, supporting schools, or building bridges across communities, Sheeba leads with heart, purpose, and a deep commitment to positive social impact.

Through their social work studies, they have worked in non-profits serving unhoused individuals, youth in care, refugee claimants and newcomers. Sid also contributes to ongoing community-based research as a Research Assistant with the Social Innovation Research Group at Wilfrid Laurier University. She plans to bring her dedication to housing justice, social work experience, and advocacy into a career in research and policy.

Throughout her career, Stephanie has worked with top industry brands including Davines, L’Oréal, PRAVANA, and MoroccanOil, and remains committed to ongoing education in colour, styling, and product knowledge. Her expertise earned her a place at Kaaral’s Colourful Runway in Italy in 2022, an experience she describes as “the most inspirational of my career.” She’s since become a proud Kaaral educator, embracing their commitment to innovation and sustainability.

In 2025, Stephanie is stepping into her next chapter as the owner of the salon currently known as UBU Hair, maintaining the salon’s excellence in service and skill, while honouring the incredible legacy of retiring owners, Mario and Brima, and launching what will become her own fresh vision to the salon. Rooted in the strength of her Portuguese heritage and inspired by her mother’s perseverance in establishing a life for herself and her daughters here in Canada, Stephanie leads with integrity, compassion, and a drive to uplift others—both in the salon chair and beyond.

This practice didn’t just restore her; it gave her purpose and a community where she felt truly at home. It was here that Toni found the courage to step away from a successful but misaligned commercial real estate career and embrace her calling to help others.

In 2019, Toni made the bold decision to leave the corporate world and pursue yoga teacher training. She began teaching at Modo Yoga Cambridge and, during the 2020 pandemic, volunteered her time to lead virtual classes, offering connection and comfort during a time of isolation. Toni’s dream to make a deeper impact came to life when she and her friend Randy acquired the studio, and she stepped into the role of Director of Wild Heart Yoga. As a leader, her mission is to create a safe, inclusive space where individuals can heal, grow, and find their own “why.” Toni’s authenticity and compassion are born from her own journey of overcoming, healing from, and learning to live with complex trauma. Her unwavering dedication to her community shines through in her intentional efforts to create a space where others can find refuge, reconnect with themselves, and transform—just as she has.