ADVANTAGE 2025: Influence. Impact. Inspire.
The ADVANTAGE Women’s Empowerment Conference is a powerful and uplifting event designed to inspire, educate, and empower women in business. Hosted by the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce, the conference features a full day of programming dedicated to helping women achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
Last year, we introduced the ADVANTAGE MARKET, a female-owned vendor market, and we’re excited to bring it back for 2025! This market is a celebration of women entrepreneurs, showcasing local products and offering attendees the chance to support and connect with inspiring business owners. Each attendee will receive a $25 token to shop at the market, in lieu of a traditional swag bag.
We are also excited to be continuing the InspiHER Sponsorship Program this year. The sponsorship cost aligns with Chamber Member ticket pricing for attending the conference, allowing InspiHER Sponsors the flexibility to sponsor one or multiple tickets as they see fit. Through our InspiHER Sponsorship Program, we will collaborate with groups supporting underrepresented women, ensuring they have the opportunity to join our conference.
Meet Our Keynote Speaker!
Shivani Dhamija
Shivani Dhamija is an inspiring entrepreneur and founder of Shivani’s Kitchen, a business dedicated to bringing the authentic flavors of Indian cuisine to homes across Canada. Originally from India, Shivani moved to Nova Scotia in 2011 and launched her entrepreneurial journey with Halifax’s first Indian meal delivery service. Today, Shivani’s Kitchen offers spice blends, heat-and-eat Indian meals, and cooking classes, with products available in major retailers like Sobeys and Costco.
A passionate advocate for women and immigrant entrepreneurs, Shivani actively supports others through mentorship and community engagement. Her achievements have been recognized by organizations such as Invest Nova Scotia, the Centre for Women in Business, and the CBDC. With support from the Women in Business Implementation Fund, she has successfully expanded into new markets, while her partnership with Invest Nova Scotia has helped grow exports of her spices and sauces. Shivani continues to meet growing demand while empowering others to pursue their dreams. Recently, Shivani’s Kitchen has grown their operations, relocating from their original food production plant initially in West Hants, to now conducting their manufacturing in Ontario and operations in Halifax. Shivani
In 2024, Shivani was awarded an Exceptional Entrepreneurship Achievement Award, and in 2022, Shivani was recognized as the Most Inspiring Immigrant in Atlantic Canada. She has also been nominated for prestigious awards, including the CBDC Business Award of Distinction in 2021. These achievements are a true reflection of Shivani’s dedication to innovation, resilience, and community impact. She firmly believes in the power of giving back and credits the success of Nova Scotia and Canada to its people.
The ADVANTAGE of Pursuing Your Passion – This panel discussion will feature inspiring individuals who have transformed their passions into purposeful careers. They will share their journeys, the challenges they’ve faced, and the lessons learned along the way. From taking risks to staying resilient, this conversation will highlight how following what truly excites you can lead to meaningful success.
Speakers: Elyse Aeryn, Magan Basque, and Noelle MacLean
Moderator: Megan Penney
Elyse Aeryn - Speaker
Elyse Aeryn is picking up speed with her nostalgic brand of alt-country/rock, wrapping up a wild 2024 as Music Nova Scotia’s Entertainer of the Year. Riding fast on the momentum of her driving rhythms and evocative songs, Elyse left behind a career as an engineer in 2021 to follow her calling as an artist and singer/songwriter that has quickly built an impressive profile by sharing stages with Canadian icons Blue Rodeo, Amanda Marshall, and Matt Anderson.
An undeniable talent from the start, her 2023 debut album Joy State of Mind made it onto the NACC 200 peaking at #182, scored a nomination for an East Coast Music Award for Rock Recording of the Year and won Music Nova Scotia’s Country Recording of the Year.
Building on this strong foundation, Elyse Aeryn’s sophomore album is currently in production at Soundpark Studios in Sydney, Nova Scotia under the helm of 2024 ECMA Audio Engineer of the Year Jamie Foulds (Barra MacNeils, Pretty Archie).
Magan Basque - Speaker
Magan Basque is a proud Mi’kmaw woman from Eskasoni First Nation and a dedicated mother to her son, Deluca. A Certified Makeup Artist, she is deeply committed to empowering Indigenous youth and fostering positive change for future generations.
As the founder of Culture for a Cause, an initiative under her philanthropy Indigenous Resilience, Magan creates traditional beaded earrings, with proceeds supporting non-profit organizations such as the Native Women’s Association of Canada.
Through her passion for pageantry, she leverages her platform to advocate for critical Indigenous issues in Canada, including the MMIWG2S crisis and the ongoing work of Truth and Reconciliation.
Noelle MacLean - Speaker
Noelle MacLean is the President and Founder of Rise Results Business Services. Noelle leads a growing team of visionaries focused on the development of businesses, communities and non-profit organizations. Her love of marketing began with a childhood obsession over TV commercials, eventually leading her to found RISE Results in 2015. Her greatest compliment is having clients that continue to work with her team year after year and, and watching them realize their goals. There are four businesses in her family, run by herself, her husband and their 13 year old daughter. When not working, you can find her spending quality time with her daughter and their horse, Trix.
The ADVANTAGE of Forging Your Own Path – This panel will feature three women who have excelled in underrepresented industries, creating meaningful impact in their communities and beyond. They will share their experiences navigating challenges, embracing change, and breaking barriers, highlighting the resilience, risks, and rewards of redefining success on their own terms.
Speakers: Lori Kennedy, Shelley Lund, and Sheila Gillis
Moderator: Shelley Bennett Trifos
Lori Kennedy - Speaker
Recognized as one of Atlantic Canada’s greatest business leaders and whose philanthropy and community pride make a difference to the countless organizations she is connected to, Ms. Lori Kennedy.
Lori is the co-owner of Louisbourg Seafoods and has led this major seafood business since the company’s inception in 1984. Her work with community, industry, tourism, academia, and government has helped shape innovative corporate policies and procedures that govern how Louisbourg Seafoods operates within Atlantic Canada.
In addition to her exceptional capabilities as a leader in our community, she also participates in countless international trade missions and speaking engagements to promote the understanding of the east coast fishery of Atlantic Canada and to secure long-term working relationships both at home and internationally.
A graduate of Cape Breton University, Lori recently completed the Leading Business and Personal Transitions Program at Harvard Business School.
Lori’s success in operating Louisbourg Seafoods has not gone unnoticed. She has been named one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEO’s four years running by Atlantic Business Magazine. And while this is a tremendous accolade that she is humbled to receive, it is her passion to inspire other women leaders that is just as rewarding. She is a member of the Women’s Presidents Organization Atlantic Chapter, a non-profit 501 (c) (6) organization formed to improve business conditions for women entrepreneurs and to promote the acceptance and advancement of women in all industry.
Giving back to her community and her field is important to Lori. She currently sits on the board of directors of the World Ocean Council, which provides responsible companies from the ocean business community the ability to collectively address cross-cutting ocean sustainable development challenges and shape the future of the ocean by engaging and working with other ocean stakeholders. She is also Chair of the United Way Cape Breton End Child Poverty initiative, which supports those in her community who have less. Lori is also one of Cape Breton’s greatest philanthropists helping countless of organizations with her generosity, and she is a true friend and supporter of Cape Breton University.
Lori has received a honorary degree from Cape Breton University during spring convocation this past May 2024. An inspiration for woman in business and a true community leader.
Shelley Lund - Speaker
Shelley Lund is a passionate community advocate and business leader based in Sydney, Cape Breton. As the Vice President and Controller of Brilun Construction and Group of Companies, Shelley brings a strong work ethic and business acumen to everything she does. In 2024, Brilun Construction won Business of the Year at the Excellence in Business Awards hosted by the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce and they earned the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility National Award of Excellence from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters.
An inaugural core team member of 100 Women Who Care CBRM, Shelley has been actively involved for the past 10 years. She finds immense fulfillment in raising awareness for local charities and witnessing the generosity of Cape Bretoners firsthand. Additionally, Shelley serves on the Board of Directors for CBDC, further contributing to the growth and development of the community.
Born and raised in Sydney, Shelley cherishes her Cape Breton roots. Her favorite aspects of the island include its welcoming people and the beauty of the Bras d’Or Lake. In her leisure time, she enjoys spending time with her family at their cottage, boating, and traveling to St. Pete’s Beach, Florida. She values kindness, honesty, and a strong work ethic in others and is driven by a deep commitment to her community.
With a lifelong dedication to both business and philanthropy, Shelley continues to make a meaningful impact in Cape Breton, inspiring others to get involved and make a difference.
Sheila Gillis - Speaker
Sheila Gillis, FCPA, FCA recently retired after a 43 year career in public accounting. The opportunity to work with a wide variety of people and to gain insight into a broad spectrum of businesses attracted her to the profession. Following graduation from St. FX University Sheila joined a national Chartered Accounting firm and obtained her CA designation. After several years in the firm’s accounting and auditing practice Sheila specialized in personal and corporate tax, becoming a partner with KPMG in 1996. In 2007 Sheila and her two partners founded MGM & Associates and acquired the KPMG Sydney practice making the firm 100% locally owned and operated.
In 2020 Sheila and her partners recognized that the ever-expanding global nature of business meant their clients required additional resources and specialized services to continue to succeed and grow. To meet these needs MGM & Associates merged with MNP - a national firm with a depth of resources and a commitment to supporting the local communities that its people live and work in.
Sheila has volunteered for many local community groups as well as serving in various roles within the profession. In recognition of her outstanding service to the profession and her community Sheila received the profession’s most prestigious award - the designation of FCA. At the time of her designation she was one of only 3 females to serve as president of the Nova Scotia Institute and only the 9th to receive a FCA.
Sheila is especially proud to have been inducted into the Cape Breton Business Hall of Fame as it recognizes her commitment to the Cape Breton community which supported her at all stages of her career. In reflecting on this honor Sheila said “I believe that Cape Breton’s prosperity depends on the people who believe in our island and are willing to help others grow our economy. As business leaders in Cape Breton, all of us need to do whatever it takes to create opportunities for others so they have the chance to work hard, pursue happiness and earn their own success.”
The ADVANTAGE of Leading with Purpose – This session will explore how intentional, values-driven leadership can create lasting impact in organizations and communities. Our speaker will share their personal journey of leading with integrity, clarity, and purpose, highlighting how this approach has shaped their career and inspired those around them.
Speaker: Harman Singh
Harman Singh - Speaker
For over 20 years, Harman has dedicated her career to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a psychologist, advocate, and sector leader. Passionate about client-led care, she has influenced provincial and national policies, driving transformational change in support models. Her clinical expertise, commitment to learning, and person-first approach have helped hundreds of individuals improve their quality of life and independence.
As CEO of Breton Ability Centre (BAC), Harman leads a team of 400+ employees, providing services to over 100 individuals daily through residential and community-based programs. She actively contributes to various boards and committees, including Health Association of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton University, AWARE – Nova Scotia, and OPEN Collaboration.
Harman’s leadership has earned her the 2022 Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award, the Nova Scotia Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, and the Tom Miller Human Rights Award (2021). She was also a finalist for the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Rose Schwartz Business Woman of the Year Award.
Originally from India, Harman moved to Canada in 1992 after earning a Master’s in Psychology (Clinical Concentration) from Punjab University, where she received the Chancellor’s Gold Medal. A lifelong learner, she completed a Public Policy and Management Certificate at Dalhousie University in 2021. In her personal life, she is an avid golfer and traveler who enjoys quality time with family on Cape Breton Island.
The ADVANTAGE of Resilience – This lightning round session will dive into the power of perseverance in the face of challenges. Our speaker will share their journey of overcoming setbacks, breaking barriers, and pushing forward with determination. This session will inspire you to embrace resilience as a key to growth, success, and lasting impact.
Speaker: Stephany Pinhorn
Stephany Pinhorn - Speaker
Stephany Pinhorn is a highly skilled high-pressure pipe welder with eight years of experience, primarily working at Nova Scotia Power. She has made history as the first woman to perform x-ray level joints and weld a full valve package on a shutdown for NSPI. A certified CWB welder, Stephany holds multiple pipe welding tickets and has worked at major power plants across Nova Scotia.
Beyond welding, she is a successful entrepreneur, managing two small businesses while balancing multiple demanding roles. Her leadership and problem-solving skills are further strengthened by her background as a firefighter and MFR. Passionate about supporting women in trades, Stephany has mentored young women through the Construction Association of Nova Scotia for the past two years and is committed to breaking barriers in male-dominated industries.
In addition to her career in skilled trades, Stephany has built an international modeling career, traveling and working in Scotland, Ireland, the USA, and on the runway in Toronto. She is also the co-chair of 100 Women Who Care CBRM, demonstrating her dedication to community leadership and empowerment.
Stephany is an advocate for resilience, adaptability, and pushing past limitations—whether in the trades, entrepreneurship, or beyond.