Guest Speakers
We are very excited to share with you our lineup of guest speakers and topics for our March 8, 2026 event.
Samantha Gernhart
Clarity Marketing & Design
Samantha Gernhart, owner of Clarity Marketing & Design, has been working in marketing and communications for over 20 years. She launched her business at just 18 years old and holds an educational background in Marketing Management and Web Development. In addition to running her agency, Samantha has taught marketing and web development at the college level since 2014 and is the organizer of the Women in Business Expo, now in its fourth year.
In her 2026 International Women’s Day session, “Seen, Heard, and Taken Seriously: Marketing Your Business with Confidence,” Samantha will explore why so many women struggle to feel confident when marketing their businesses — and how to change that. This session will focus on communicating your value clearly, positioning yourself as a professional without feeling “salesy,” and making small but powerful shifts in how you show up so your business is taken seriously.
Attendees will leave with practical insights they can apply immediately and a renewed sense of confidence in how they present themselves and their work.
Topic: Seen, Heard, and Taken Seriously: Marketing Your Business with Confidence
Time: 10:00am – 10:45am
Danielle Simpson
My Village Collective
Danielle Simpson is a mom of two boys, a wife, a yoga teacher, and a Child and Youth Worker with over a decade of experience. She is the founder of My Village Collective, a community-based initiative rooted in connection, collaboration, and meaningful support. Based in Paris, Ontario, Danielle serves families across Brant County, Brantford, and beyond, bringing together lived experience, professional training, and community-centred leadership in all that she does.
In her session, “Why Community Changes Everything,” Danielle explores the power of intentional connection — particularly within motherhood — and how thoughtfully built communities create more sustainable outcomes for families and businesses alike. Built on the philosophy of collaboration over competition, My Village Collective partners with aligned local organizations that share values of integrity, trust, and long-term impact.
During this session, Danielle will share tangible insights on building meaningful support systems, fostering authentic collaboration, and creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for community-building that can lead to greater clarity, confidence, and lasting real-world impact, both personally and professionally.
Topic: Why Community Changes Everything
Time: 11:00am – 11:45am
Mandy Samwell
City of Brantford Councillor
Mandy Samwell is a City Councillor in Brantford whose leadership journey has been shaped by decades of community involvement, service, and advocacy. Long before entering public office, Mandy worked closely with her community to address local challenges, bring people together, and navigate complex systems — building trust through action and follow-through when it mattered most.
In her session, “From Community to City Council: A Journey in Public Leadership,” Mandy shares her path from community work to elected office, offering an honest and experienced perspective on how leadership develops over time. She reflects on the importance of trust, credibility, and stepping forward to make decisions when the stakes are high.
Through personal stories and practical insight, Mandy encourages women to recognize that the work they are doing today is already shaping their influence and the power they carry in everyday decisions and relationships. This session invites attendees to see their experience as a source of strength, recognize leadership in action, and imagine what’s possible when they step forward with confidence, intention, and clarity about their values.
Mandy’s talk is a reminder that leadership isn’t something you wait for — it’s already unfolding in the choices you make and the actions you take every day.
Topic: From Community to City Council: A Journey in Public Leadership
Time: 12:00pm – 12:45pm
Sophia White
Lymph Connection
Sophia White is the founder and owner of Lymph Connection, a holistic wellness clinic specializing in lymphatic therapy to support detoxification, immune health, and whole-body well-being. A Certified Lymph Therapist and passionate educator, Sophia blends clinical expertise with practical, real-world strategies to help women feel informed, confident, and empowered in their bodies.
Outside the clinic, Sophia is a mom of two, a “fire wife,” and a pet parent to a cat and three dogs. She balances entrepreneurship, family life, and community involvement with humor, heart, and resilience — and brings that same energy to her work supporting other women.
In her session, “The Power of Flow: Regulating Your Body Transforms Your Business,” Sophia shares her personal journey of building a business while navigating motherhood, high stress, and physical burnout. She explores how learning to regulate the body and nervous system can change the way women lead, make decisions, and grow their businesses. Drawing on real client experiences and her own story, Sophia provides practical tools and insights on how lymphatic health and body regulation influence focus, energy, boundaries, and overall business performance.
Attendees will leave with tangible strategies to move out of survival mode and into sustainable success, discovering how flow in the body creates flow in business.
Topic: The Power of Flow: Regulating Your Body Transforms Your Business
Time: 1:00pm – 1:45pm
Sarah O’Neil
Hansen Equestrian
Sarah O’Neil is the founder and CEO of Hansen Equestrian, a Canadian equestrian lifestyle and accessories brand celebrated for its stylish, high-quality horse and rider products. Under Sarah’s leadership, Hansen Equestrian has earned a reputation for blending timeless aesthetics with modern durability, appealing to riders who value both performance and style. Beyond product development, Sarah has expanded the company’s offerings to include custom and private label manufacturing, always focusing on functional, durable materials that are proudly Canadian.
In her session, “The Long Ride: Building a Business that Stands the Test of Time,” Sarah shares the reality of growing a business alongside life’s seasons. What began as a 10th-grade school project has evolved into a thriving company. She takes attendees through her journey — from a high school student with a dream, to a struggling 20-something with a side hustle, to a 37-year-old mom of two running a full-time career in the very same business she started decades earlier.
Sarah’s talk offers practical insights, inspiration, and real-world strategies for building a business that lasts, while showing how resilience, adaptability, and passion carry you through every stage of the journey.
Topic: The Long Ride: Building a Business that Stands the Test of Time
Time: 2:00pm – 2:45pm
Denise Lowe
Education Consultant
Denise Lowe is an education consultant with over 30 years of experience supporting students, families, and educators. With a background in teaching, student success, special education, and coaching, Denise helps young people build confidence, resilience, and the mindset needed to thrive in both school and life.
She is the author of The Fighter Within: Beating Life’s Challenges One Day at a Time and the creator of the Learning Success™ program. Denise works closely with parents to help them better understand and support their tweens and teens through today’s academic and emotional challenges, especially during key transitions such as moving into high school. Her approach blends professional expertise with practical, real-world strategies families can use right away.
In her session, “Supporting Your Teen’s Success, Without the Stress,” Denise will explore how parents and caregivers can show up for their teens in ways that build trust, confidence, and connection — without added pressure. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the emotional and developmental shifts that occur during adolescence and learn simple, effective strategies to support their child’s growth while maintaining strong relationships.
This session offers relatable examples, actionable tools, and encouragement for parents who want to support their teen’s success while reducing stress for the whole family.
Topic: Supporting Your Teen’s Success, Without the Stress
Time: 3:00pm – 3:45pm