
About Our Mentors
Mentors are leaders in our community that volunteer their time to guide fellow entrepreneurs. Mentors range in life experience, gender, cultural background and expertise (which can be found in their profiles below).
Every mentor is required to complete subconcious bias training.
All mentor sessions are a one on one, virtual session.
Guidelines for Mentees
Come on time
Mentors volunteer their time and it's important that the scheduled time is respected. It's also the best way for you to maximize value!
Come prepared
Each mentor will require you to submit specific questions and areas of advisement in advance to make the most of your session. Do a bit of research about your mentor if you can, and craft thoughtful questions tailored to their relevant experience and your business goals.
Book with intention
Limit booking a particular mentor to once a quarter to allow them to be available to many people in our community.
What a mentor is:
Mentors share their experiences and offer insight into business that may impact your business goals and objectives holistically.
What a mentor isn't:
Mentors are not here for the purpose of making decisions for you and your business.
Want to learn more about how to leverage a mentorship? Read on here!
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Lindy Ledohowski (she/her)
Book TimeI used to be a university professor, and then I cofounded EssayJack an academic writing startup and ran it as its CEO for nearly 6 years when it was acquired by Wize, another Canadian EdTech company. As part of the acquisition process, I joined Wize as part of its executive team.
Expertise:
Digital Marketing
Public Relations
Equity & Team Culture -
Anu Luthra (she/her)
Book TimeI started my company Lumehra in 2017, after leaving the corporate sector after 20 plus years. My company’s goals have evolved as strategies changes. However, our mission has always been the same, quality, affordable products for families. I believe as an entrepreneur one of the greatest strengths you need is flexibility.
Expertise:
Retail/Wholesale
Marketing
General -
Candicia John (she/her)
Book TimeMy name is Candicia and I own two businesses called Toronto Curly Girl Meetup and Curly Prints. These businesses strive to give men and women with curly hair a voice and a supportive community, while allowing amazing Canadian brands in the industry to shine. I am also a content creator, known as “Hey it’s Candicia” on social media. I started my journey creating content highlighting the growth and transformation of her hair after a perm damage incident. I began my YouTube channel in the summer of 2016 sharing my knowledge of natural hair care, products, and lifestyle.
Expertise:
Marketing
Social Media
Business Development -
Makini Smith (she/her)
Book TimeMakini Smith is a mindset coach and Proctor Gallagher certified consultant helping turn goals into accomplishments. She’s the founder of Legacy Leaver's media, helping women entrepreneurs self-publish with the same tools and resources as traditional publishers without the need for their validation or approval. Makini is also a 5-time published author and host of the 5-star rated H.E.A.L. Her podcast, formerly known as the “A Walk in My Stilettos” podcast— one of the top 1.5% of most popular podcasts globally. By coaching frustrated, confused, or isolated women, she helps them find peace, clarity, and connection. Whether it's through changing paradigms, publishing a book, or mastering a podcast, her passion is to help you find the confidence to turn your dreams into a reality.
Expertise:
Podcasting
Start Ups
Social Media
Publishing -
Keren Moynihan (she/her)
Book TimeFormer commercial banker and second time founder, Keren Moynihan is the CEO of Boss Insights. With 15+ years’ experience in financial services as a banker, advisor and mentor, she’s built Boss Insights to provide fintechs, private & traditional lenders with their business clients' financial data ... in minutes. With the broadest coverage of accounting, commerce, payroll and tax data, and a seamless portal that serves fintechs, private lenders and financial institutions, Boss Insights has earned media coverage by American Banker, Forbes, Bank Innovation, Open Finance World and The Financial Brand for saying that “Banks Must Adopt APIs or Fintechs Will Win”. Boss Insights has won multiple awards including: Money20/20 Rise Up, CB Insights’ Top 35 Future in Fintech, Corporate LiveWire’s 2021 Lending Technologist Of The Year, Open Banking Excellence’s 2020 SME Award, 2020 Women In Payments’ Unicorn Challenge, Corporate Vision’s Most Innovative Leader In Lending Technology & Canadian Lenders Association’s 2019 Executive Leader In Lending.
Expertise:Fintech
Entrepreneurship
Finance -
Jenn Schurer (she/her)
Book TimeI'm a CPA, CMA who has started multiple businesses across Canada. My current focus is helping small business owners with the financial aspects of their company including bookkeeping and consulting. I have worked with small start ups all the way up to large international companies. I'm passionate about financial literacy and organization and supporting women in business.
Expertise:
Bookkeeping
New Business Ownership
Creating and understanding financial statements
Selling your Business
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Carla Smith (she/her)
Book TimeCarla left a career as a licensed Architect to pursue her passion for fitness and roller derby in 2015 with an online training company called Roller Derby Athletics. In 2018 she teamed up with a fellow roller derby entrepreneur to launch Rolla Skate Club, a badass community of empowered skaters, bringing the joy and passion of rollerskating to a wider audience. Rolla Skate Club serves the rollerskating community in person in Vancouver, and worldwide online.
Expertise:
Community Building
Course Creation
Leadership -
Krista Murphy (she/her)
Book TimeKrista Murphy is a graphic designer with over 20 years experience in both agency and freelance. She started up Wishtree 12 years ago as a side passion in the wedding industry, a beautiful alternative from corporate. With a large portfolio in brand design (logos), stationery design (invitations) and all things print/brand related, she continues to diversify her clientele and help businesses show confidence behind their brand.
Expertise:
Marketing/Branding
Burnout/Balance
Side hustles/Freelancing -
Shannon Hickey (she/her)
Book TimeI have been operating a financial coaching business for 8 years after working in finance for 10 years. Plus, I have been working on launching a fashion brand where I design and create heels and bags. It has been three years in the making; some delays have been due to trade-wars amongst countries and Covid-19.
Expertise:
Marketing
Manufacturing
Finance -
Ammara Farooq Malik (she/her)
Book TimeDr. Ammara Farooq Malik is a corporate and impact lawyer, international social entrepreneur, international development and policy expert with more than 24 years of professional experience across various multidisciplinary sectors such as academia, law, social entrepreneurship, development and gender. She is Founder & CEO of Seplaa Consultants Canada Inc. (Canada), SEPLAA Foundation and Principal Attorney at AFMalik Law (Pakistan).
Through Seplaa Consultants Canada Inc., Dr. Malik provides business strategic advisory and growth solutions to global businesses to move towards sustainable business models for impact in climate change, economic empowerment and gender diversity. She also provides technical expertise to universities, governments and INGOs.
Expertise:
Sustainable Business Strategy
Leadership Skills
Work Life Balance -
Janice Carter (she/her)
Book TimeJanice Carter is an award winning Real Estate agent and the leader.
Expertise:
Team Building
Marketing
Business planning
Mindset coaching
Relationship building -
Marina Phillips (she/her)
Book TimeMarina Phillips is a visionary, Executive Assistant and business owner navigating the world with extra tasks such as wife and mother. She has experience in the world of Corporate Canada and Small Business along with Human Resources. Marina prides herself in being a non-judgemental listener and provider of advice to other women/mother of colour who are looking to do more than society tells them they can.
Expertise:
Determining Is it a Hobby or a Business?
Work-Life Balance as a Mother - is it possible?
No Judgement Zone - Tell me your business idea(s) -
Kulbinder Saran Caldwell (she/her)
Book TimeKulbinder Saran Caldwell is a creative entrepreneur and global storyteller, along with being an award-winning producer/agent, certified professional coach, an active community builder and dedicated diversity advocate. Kulbinder is the founder and CEO of REALLIFE Pictures Inc., which is sought out for expertise in purposefully inclusive content creation. We exclusively represent diverse, neurodiverse and LGBTQIA+ screenwriters. Our vision is to make the stories we see in film and television reflect the real audience. That includes diversity on-screen, which has advanced tremendously in the last few years, but just as important is diversity in the industry behind the scenes. Kulbinder represents and manages the careers of more than 30 writers on the REALLIFE roster.
Expertise:
Coaching
Marketing
Team building
Networking
Negotiating -
Nicole Athanasopoulos (she/her)
Book TimeNicole is the Founder & Director of Nulink Events. Over the last decade in her career, she has built a roster of prominent clientele across North America executing a variety of events and brand campaigns. Nicole is renowned for her sense of experiential design, being named one of the top event professionals in Canada, and is often called upon for her industry expertise, having been featured in multiple publications and public speaking events.
Expertise:
Start up
Branding
Event Management
Experiential Marketing -
Khaoula Abtouche (she/her)
Book TimeI am the founder of Dignitii Activewear, a leading modest sportswear brand in the modest fashion industry. I have bootstrapped my business using my own savings in 2018. I run my business from home while taking care of my toddler. I wear every hat in the business. I am currently working on hiring a team and streamlining processes in the business.
Expertise:
Marketing
Branding
Website -
Lexine Ménard (she/her)
Book TimeLexine Ménard has experience in starting and growing a recognizable brand, allowing her to substantially grow a photography and photo booth rental company within a few short years. Starting her business at 17 years old, she has grown her team from herself to a team of 6 full-time staff. She specializes in launching companies in small communities, as well as creating a sustainable team around her brand.
Expertise:
Word-of-mouth marketing
Social media marketing
Branding -
Zeba Dantas (she/her)
Book TimeI founded Sway Mgmt. back in 2020, when the pandemic first hit. It was slightly out of necessity (I needed to work and the flexibility of being self-employed helped me care for my toddler who was 2 years old at the time) but as the months rolled on, my business grew. I had 6 clients and a part-time staff member by the end of summer 2020. One year later, I had ten clients, one full-time staff member and one intern, who has since signed on full-time.
I run my company in the way I wanted my former employers to run theirs; transparently, with full visibility into client relations, new business development and the opportunity to learn. It has been an incredible journey and I have a great deal of knowledge and experience that I can pass on to those just getting started.
Expertise:
Marketing
Public Relations
Starting a Business -
Ariana Fotinakis (she/her)
Book TimeAriana Fotinakis is a coach, decolonial facilitator, and founder of The 5D Business Collective. With 10 years of entrepreneurial experience under her belt, Ariana has supported 100s of individuals across the globe with their lifestyle goals, entrepreneurial pursuits, and personal development. She approaches entrepreneurship through a trauma-informed and decolonial lens and loves to help her clients remember that they are their own best guides.
Expertise:
Marketing
Decolonial business practices
Personal branding
Mindset -
Christie Buckley (she/her)
Book TimeFinancial and Operational background. Serial Entrepreneur. Super connector. Leads with Integrity. Lots of wisdom to share.
Expertise:
Finance, Tax, Compliance
Boundaries & Process
Entrepreneurship & Leadership
Strategy Mapping
Cash Flow / Budgeting -
Aly Dort (she/her)
Book TimeAly Dort is an outspoken advocate for neurodivergence in the workplace and utilizes her experience and expertise to help navigate innovative and research-driven solutions to thriving in- and outside of- the workplace. Her approach is strengths and solutions-based, helping you to discover and implement strategies and tools that work for your brain.
Expertise:
Neurodivergence
Time & Task Management
Workplace Accommodations -
Lucy Cullen (she/her)
Book TimeLucy Cullen is a serial entrepreneur with 9 years of entrepreneurship experience. She has launched 4 businesses to date and has worked with +300 entrepreneurs to support them in launch and growing the business of their dreams.
Expertise:
Mindset
Growth Strategy
Pitching
Manifesting
Founders Fund is a safe space.
If you encounter harassment, prejudice or any kind of malice from a mentor, please complete this report form immediately and a member of our team will connect with you within 48 hours.