Announcing the 2025 Top 25 Women of Influence+ Award Recipients: Meet the Women Shifting the Narrative of Leadership in Canada

TORONTO, ON, March 4, 2025 — Today, Women of Influence+, a leading global organization committed to advancing women’s leadership and workplace equity, announced the recipients of the 2025 Top 25 Women of Influence+ Canada Awards.

From hockey arenas to research labs, boardrooms to grassroots movements, these 25 women are redefining leadership in Canada. Their influence spans policy, innovation, cultural advocacy, and economic advancement, shaping industries and communities alike. 

“Leadership isn’t just about the systems we change — it’s about building the conditions for others to drive transformation themselves,” says Maricel Dicion, Managing Director, Women of Influence+. “This year’s recipients exemplify that kind of leadership. By recognizing their work, we’re not only celebrating achievement — we’re reinforcing the many ways leadership shows up in the world and the power it has to shape the future.”

This year, several hundred applications were submitted between November 25, 2024, and January 12, 2025. The 2025 Top 25 Women of Influence+ recipients are:

Michelle Acorn
A catalyst for healthcare reform, Michelle expands nurse practitioner leadership and drives systemic change in Canada’s health policies.

Karen Bliss
An investigative journalist and industry advocate, Karen Bliss exposed systemic abuse in Canada’s music scene, setting a new standard for accountability through fearless reporting.

Danielle Campo McLeod
A Paralympic gold medalist and advocate, Danielle transforms personal resilience into action — raising over $5 million for neuromuscular research and inspiring others to find strength in their own challenges.

Kookai Chaimahawong
At UBC Sauder’s Centre for Climate and Business Solutions, Kookai equips small businesses with the tools to cut emissions, scale climate action, and prepare future leaders to create lasting structural change in the low-carbon economy.

Narima Dela Cruz
A tireless community leader, Narima has mobilized Canada’s Filipino diaspora (the third-largest Asian ethnic group in the country), driving national advocacy, fostering civic engagement, and empowering communities through grassroots initiatives and policy influence.

Dr. Marjan Eggermont
Dr. Eggermont is reshaping how engineering tackles the climate crisis, blending art, science, and sustainability to create solutions that prioritize the planet and future generations.

Dr. Liisa Galea
A global leader in women’s brain health, Dr. Galea is redefining the status quo in research and policy, reshaping how science addresses sex, gender, and mental health on a global scale.

Jayna Hefford
Jayna is redefining women’s hockey as Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). She’s leading bold reforms that are creating new pathways for women athletes and setting a global standard for professional women’s sports.

Katherine Henderson
Katherine is transforming one of Canada’s most storied institutions, turning hockey into a vehicle for inclusion and equity. Championing women’s and para hockey, she is challenging the game’s culture and ensuring it reflects the diversity of the country’s future.

Katherine Homuth
Through sustainable innovation and local production, SRTX is revolutionizing the hosiery industry — driven by Katherine’s bold commitment to redefining consumer expectations and reshaping modern manufacturing.

Dr. Hadis Karimipour
Dr. Hadis Karimipour is making our world safer by using AI to protect vital systems like power grids and transportation from cyberattacks. Beyond technology, she’s opening doors for women in STEM and applying her research to real-life challenges — like developing AI tools to help children with autism thrive.

Annie Kidder
Through Annie’s leadership of People for Education, she’s bridged the gap between policymakers and everyday Canadians, ensuring every voice — from students to educators — is heard in shaping the future of education.

Nadia Ladak
Nadia is reimagining women’s health. From launching the world’s first lubricated tampon to securing $2 million in funding for her company, Marlow, she’s making periods more comfortable for thousands while inspiring a new generation of young entrepreneurs.

Weyni Mengesha
Weyni’s tenure at Soulpepper has reshaped (and continues to shape) Canadian theatre, elevating underrepresented voices and establishing the company as a force for bold storytelling and cultural connection. 

Chris McMartin
Chris has been instrumental in shaping the Scotiabank Women Initiative, expanding access to capital, mentorship, and opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Her work isn’t just about support — it’s about shifting the landscape of business itself.

Maya (Bharti) Nathani
Maya’s work redefines senior healthcare by integrating cutting-edge technology with a compassionate, patient-first approach, empowering both patients and healthcare professionals while driving enduring structural change.

Naomi Racette
Naomi’s leadership at the Future Generations Foundation has empowered First Nations communities by securing unprecedented funding and spearheading transformative initiatives like the Beyond Reconciliation Campaign.

Teresa Resch
Leading the charge for Canada’s first WNBA team (Toronto Tempo), Teresa is reshaping the sports landscape in the country by creating a national platform that elevates women’s basketball.

Noura Sakkijha
Under Noura’s leadership, Mejuri has become a growing leader in sustainable luxury, driving social impact through innovative initiatives like the Empowerment Fund, while setting new standards for ethical business practices in the jewelry industry.

Dr. Krishana Sankar
Dr. Sankar is revolutionizing public health education by leading initiatives that combat misinformation, amplify marginalized voices, and empower underserved communities, reshaping how health information is shared and trusted.

Sharmila Sriram
As the founder and CEO of Spectrum Medical Diagnostics, Sharmila is revolutionizing healthcare access with AI-driven solutions that empower patients and healthcare providers, driving systemic change and improving outcomes for underserved communities.

Reeana Tazreean
Reeana is reshaping healthcare policy by empowering youth and underrepresented groups to move the needle on systemic issues, tackling systemic inequities through her advocacy, mentorship, and commitment to global health equity.

Marion Ulmann
With the launch of Yanae, Canada’s first painless insertion IUD, and SELF, an at-home menopause test, Marion is tackling long-standing barriers in reproductive health and diagnostics to empower women with more accessible and effective solutions.

Dr. Wendy Wolfman
Dr. Wolfman has transformed menopause care in Canada. By creating the only menopause fellowship program in the country, and fostering groundbreaking clinical research, her work is a key driver in advancing care for women during this critical phase of life.

Lily YangLiu
Lily’s commitment to climate advocacy is reshaping the landscape for young people, with initiatives like her climate literacy workshops, social media platform, and youth leadership roles, all driving impactful change in both local and global conversations on climate action.

The recipients will be recognized at the Top 25 Women of Influence+ Awards Luncheon on April 8, 2025, at The Quay, Toronto Region Board of Trade. This prestigious event offers attendees the opportunity to engage with some of the country’s most influential leaders, innovators, and change-makers. The 2025 Awards are made possible with the generous support of Clinique and Dean Davidson, who have provided gifts for this year’s honourees.

About the Top 25 Women of Influence+ Awards
The Top 25 Women of Influence+ Awards is a renowned program in Canada and the U.S. that recognizes women who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. Each recipient has left their mark over the past year: contributing to the greater good through their initiatives, reaching inspiring heights on the global stage, or using their influence to drive change. The awards consider the following criteria:

• Initiative. From grassroots campaigns to global programs, recipients are leading the charge when it comes to impactful, inclusive, and inspiring action.
• Inspiration. Honourees have demonstrated how they have broken barriers to reach impressive heights on a global stage. These role models are inspirational examples of how one defines success on their own terms.
• Influence. From sparking important conversations to setting a positive example, recipients are using their influence to drive wide-reaching change.
• Leadership. Honourees stand out for their purpose-driven leadership, steering initiatives with integrity and a clear vision. They inspire and mobilize for collective success and exemplify leadership that not only achieves outstanding outcomes, but also empowers and uplifts others toward excellence and innovation.

To learn more about this year’s Top 25 Women of Influence, visit: www.womenofinfluence.ca/top-25/.

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About Women of Influence+
For 30 years, Women of Influence+ has been a catalyst for advancing women’s leadership, workplace equity, and systemic change. Through high-impact events, research-driven insights, and a global network of over one million business leaders and professionals, Women of Influence+ helps shape policy, influence corporate strategy, and drive economic inclusion.

At Women of Influence+, impact is defined by the decisions shaped and opportunities created. Here, leadership isn’t just about who holds power—it’s about how that power is used to build a more inclusive and equitable future.

For companies and organizations committed to long-term growth and innovation, partnering with Women of Influence+ means aligning with the next era of leadership.

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