Calgary

On a mission to connect, inspire and empower one billion women

Monica Kretschmer is the Founder and CEO of the Universal Womens Network™️️ Inc, Women of Inspiration™️️ and SupportHER™️️. Her mission is to connect, inspire and empower one billion women. Monica is a visionary, global influencer and disruptor with passion and an unwavering commitment to drive change for women to be seen, heard and valued. Her personal story of resilience of the “The Seven Year Journey” in the court system with 4800 hours litigation, 22 days led her to her bigger purpose to create the Universal Womens Network and the Women of Inspiration™️️ Awards to recognize the achievements of women who lead, inspire and motivate. The Women of Inspiration™️️ Awards have grown from single award honoring one woman to celebrating over 1,000 women from diverse industries, ages and stages of life reaching 5 continents. Monica believes every woman has a story. Your story does not define you; it empowers you.

Since 2015, Monica has built a recognizable brand across North America. The Universal Womens Network™️️ is a media company committed to the advancement of women and inspiring change for equality by unlocking the ripple effect to advance women, to strategically partner with companies committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, to welcome men to the conversation as allies and SupportHERs.

She is the creator of SupportHER™️️ (elevating male allies as champions for women in their networks, workplaces, and communities), the host of the Women of Inspiration™️️ Podcast, publisher of the UWomen Magazine™️️ and Women of Inspiration Driving Change Book Forbes Contributor and 2022 LinkedIn Top Voice for Gender Equity.

During the pandemic, Monica published the first edition of the Women of Inspiration – Women Driving Change book featuring 100 inspiring women from diverse industries which coincide with the launch of graphics trucks with the faces of contributors across North America. The second edition of Women of Inspiration™️️ Changemakers will be released in the spring of 2024. Monica is a native Calgarian, proud mom to her son and future SupportHER, dog momma and believes in living life to the fullest.


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Everyone has a story and it should guide how we live, treat each other and find purpose in our humanness

Caroline Berglund is the founder and Principal of Talk Talk and The One Stop Special Needs Shop. She is a writer, speaker, storyteller, painter, road map-maker, novice calligrapher, lover of 4am’er’, mother, partner and philosopher.

She is a questioner, fascinated by what makes leaders tick, She’s a challenger, talker of all things communication, philanthropist, curriculum designer, lover of the Greek philosopher, squeezer of the last year of her 40s like a dog with her favourite squeaky toy. She has spent ½ of the last 25 years in the corporate world and the other ½ as a philosopher and entrepreneur.

As a philosopher and entrepreneur she’s distilled her lifelong study into three things; the importance of living an autodidactic life, digging into one’s own existential angst at all cost and finally everyone has a story, everyone. This later one is important. It can and should guide how we live, treat each other and find purpose in our humanness.

When she’s not writing, reading, teaching she set up Talk Talk…twice! This is her second run at Talk Talk and her first at standing up The One Stop Special Needs Shop.


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Defying the odds and building a thriving business

Chris Schellenberger, CEO of Purr.ca, is an inspirational entrepreneur who defied the odds and built a thriving business. With a background in sales and a keen understanding of the automotive industry, Chris developed Purr to empower sellers and revolutionize the way cars are bought and sold in Canada.


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Revolutionizing the way you sell homes

Jason Hardy is the Co-Founder & CEO of the leading real estate e-commerce software, Ownly. Jason has spent the previous 17 years serving the real estate development sector in both Canada and the United States. An industry thought leader and speaker, Jason previously held the position of President / Managing Partner at Chatterson, a boutique real estate marketing firm headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Jason is an instructor of Real Estate Marketing at the Haskayne School of Business’ Real Estate MBA program at the University of Calgary and holds the role of Executive Director of the Real Estate Development Institute of Canada. Jason also sits on the Management Advisory Committee (MAC) and Proptech Advisory Committee at the Haskayne School of Business and serves as Committee Chair at the Westman Centre for Real Estate Studies.


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Using short-form content videos on social media to drive business

Diana Saunders is the accomplished owner of Aerora Transcription, a distinguished business that specializes in providing exceptional legal transcription services to court reporters and court reporting agencies. With a deep passion for her craft, Diana has taken it upon herself to shed light on the lesser-known art of legal transcription through engaging short-form content videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Her efforts have garnered a dedicated following of over 40,000 individuals, and she actively collaborates with aspiring individuals who aspire to enter the field and embark on their journeys as legal transcriptionists. Diana’s commitment to her profession and her determination to educate and inspire others make her a true trailblazer in the industry.


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Bringing a bold and unorthodox approach to design and business

Amanda Hamilton is the founder and creative director of Amanda Hamilton Interior Design and Palette Archives. An award-winning entrepreneur and Interior Designer based in Calgary, Alberta working across Western Canada, Amanda is celebrated for her tenacious entrepreneurial spirit and vibrant persona. Her bold and unorthodox approach to design and business has made her one of the most sought-after creative minds in Canada.

Her debut satirical memoir, Not That Likeable: And Other Stories I told Myself was published in the fall of 2022. Amanda Hamilton unflinchingly chronicles her childhood exploits and coming-of-age story, in all their cringey glory. Riotously funny and spirited, Amanda balances unflinching honesty and side-splitting wit in this offbeat memoir for the proverbial outsider.

Amanda has been featured in numerous national publications including House & Home, Style at Home, Western Living, Montecristo, Avenue and FLARE. She has appeared on various broadcast programs, such as The Marilyn Denis Show, CTV, Global and Breakfast Television and was a collaborator for two episodes of The Property Brothers. A gifted and spirited speaker and storyteller, Amanda has delivered keynote presentations, acted as the Master of Ceremony, moderated panels and has sat on various panels covering a broad range of topics ranging from design to business.

Notable accolades include the 2020 WXN: Top 100 Most Powerful Women of Canada, 2020 Calgary Influential Women in Business Emerging Leader Award, 2019 Women of Inspiration Trailblazer Award, 2018 AWE Entrepreneurship Upsurge Award, 2017 Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 under 40 Award, 2017 Silver Stevie Female Entrepreneur of Canada, 2017 Calgary Herald’s Most Compelling Calgarians, 2013 Western Living Magazine’s One to Watch and 2012 Mount Royal University Alumni Award.

Committed to supporting and elevating the voices of entrepreneurs, Amanda recently launched a number of internal initiatives including Hard Bar Friday, After Hours Podcast and Office Hours: Open Source Learning.

Amanda received her Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Interior Design from Mount Royal University, received her status as a Licensed Interior Designer through the National Council for Design Qualifications and is also a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Accredited Professional. She is a mentor for the Harry G. Schaefer Mentorship Program and chairs the Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta World of Choices event. In 2016, Amanda launched a Travel Scholarship through her Alma Matter to promote design exploration.


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Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on FacebookInstagramLinkedIn and Twitter.

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Enhancing lives and creating legacies

Kathy Yuen is an Architectural Technologist and founder of Phase One Design, a residential design firm specializing in designing dream homes for homeowners across Canada since 2006.

Phase One Design has helped over 700 homeowners design their dream homes. They have been recognized for countless awards (26 finalist nominations, 12 awards) and featured in numerous publications across Canada.

Kathy is a recognized business leader, public speaker, and educator for the design and custom home community. She has spearheaded various community initiatives such as educational seminars, and has made regular stage appearances. Kathy has been nominated twice for RBC’s Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year.

You can check out her videos on the YouTube Channel ‘Dream Homes with Kathy’.


Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on FacebookInstagramLinkedIn and Twitter.

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