Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women. In the third episode, host Berlin Mathur is joined by Janet Bannister, Founder & Managing Partner at Staircase Ventures

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Janet Bannister is a trailblazing entrepreneur, investor, and leader in Canada’s tech and business landscape. She's the Founder and Managing Partner at Staircase Ventures, with a career that spans roles like Brand Manager at Procter & Gamble, Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company, and Managing Partner at Real Ventures.

Janet was the force behind launching Kijiji Canada, which she grew into one of Canada’s most-visited websites, and her time at eBay saw her driving the platform’s transformation from a collectibles marketplace to a mainstream giant.

She's built a successful consulting business, served as CEO of a venture-backed startup, and is an influential figure on boards like Communitech, the Vector Institute, and The Ivey Academy at Ivey Business School.

With accolades like Venture Capital Journal’s “Women of Influence in Private Markets” and PitchBook’s “Female Founders & Investors to Know,” Janet is shaping the future of innovation.

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women. In the third episode, host Berlin Mathur is joined by Rania Llewellyn, former President & CEO at Laurentian Bank

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Rania’Llewellyn's career spans over 26 years in banking and financial services, with experience in various sectors, including commercial banking, corporate strategy, and mergers and acquisitions. Her leadership has driven innovation, diversity, and inclusion in the financial industry. Her inspiring story, from her early days as an immigrant to Canada to becoming the CEO of a major financial institution, embodies perseverance, resilience, and a vision for a more inclusive corporate environment.

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women. In the third episode, host Berlin Mathur is joined by Dr. Nandita Vijaykumar, an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department at the University of Toronto. 

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Dr. Nandita Vijaykumar is an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department at the University of Toronto and the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough. She is also affiliated with the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence and the Robotics Institute, where she leads the embARC Research Group.

Before joining the University of Toronto, Dr. Vijaykumar was a research scientist in the Memory Architecture and Accelerator Lab at Intel Labs. She received her Ph.D. and M.S. in 2019 from Carnegie Mellon University, where professor Onur Mutlu and professor advised her. Phil Gibbons. She also collaborated with the Systems Group in the Computer Science Department at ETH Zurich as a visiting student. Throughout her career, she has gained valuable experience working with leading companies such as AMD, Intel, Microsoft, and Nvidia.

Dr. Vijaykumar's research interests lie in computer architecture, compilers, and systems, with a particular focus on the interaction between programming models, systems, and architectures. As the Concentration Director for the Master of Science in Applied Computing (MScAC) AI in Healthcare, Dr. Vijaykumar is responsible for developing and leading top-tier educational programs in Computational Medicine and Computational Biology. She fosters collaborations with relevant departments, the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and the Temerty Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Education in Medicine (T-CAIREM).

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women. In the second episode, host Berlin Mathur is joined by Stacey Allaster, Chief Executive Professional Tennis, US Open Tournament Director. 

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Stacey Allaster, born in Windsor, Ontario, and raised in Welland, is the United States Tennis Association’s Chief Executive of Professional Tennis and US Open Tournament Director, and the former CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association. A towering figure in international sports, she has been a tireless advocate for women throughout her leadership career. In 2022, she was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada for her contributions to gender equality and was recognized by Forbes as one of the most powerful women in sports. Most recently, she received the Billie Jean King Leadership Award for her efforts in promoting equity for women in sports.

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women. In the inaugural episode, host Berlin Mathur is joined by Dr. Anna Goldenberg, Senior Scientist at SickKids Research Institute and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto.

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Dr. Goldenberg earned her PhD in Machine Learning from Carnegie Mellon University and completed her postdoctoral training at the Penn Centre for Bioinformatics and the Donnelly Centre. She holds the gerposition of the first Varma Family Chair in Biomedical Informatics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Research Institute, where she also co-leads the AI in Medicine for Kids (AIM) initiative. She is a CIFAR AI Chair and a fellow in CIFAR's Child and  Brain Development group. Additionally, she co-leads the research theme at the Temerty Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Education in Medicine (T-CAIREM), driving innovation in AI for medical research.

Her lab focuses on developing machine learning methods for clinical applications across various diseases and conditions, as well as quantifying variability in healthy states among individuals and populations using wearable technology.

As the Concentration Director for the Master of Science in Applied Computing (MScAC) AI in Healthcare, she is responsible for developing and leading top-tier educational programs in Computational Medicine and Computational Biology. She fosters collaborations with relevant departments, the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and T-CAIREM in her educational role within LMP.

Follow the Northern Lights Canada podcast for more inspiring conversations with  Canada's trailblazing women leading the way in tech and business.

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women. In this episode, host Berlin Mathur is joined by Vass Bednar, Executive Director, Master of Public Policy in Digital Society at McMaster University.

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Vass Bednar is a renowned public policy entrepreneur operating at the vibrant intersection of technology and public policy. With her rich background in various leadership roles at notable institutions like Delphia, Airbnb, and the City of Toronto, she brings a unique, interdisciplinary approach to understanding and shaping the regulatory frameworks that influence our future work and lifestyles. Vass is also known for her creative, data-driven insights, having chaired the federal government's Expert Panel on Youth Employment. Her dedication extends to fostering public dialogue, demonstrated through her role as co-host of the "Detangled" podcast and her newsletter "regs to riches," which explores Canadian startups and policy dynamics. Her contributions have been recognized with the prestigious McMaster "Arch" award, highlighting her as an outstanding alum. 

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women. In this episode, host Berlin Mathur is joined by Lisa Melchoir, Founder & Managing Partner at Vertu Capital.

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Lisa is the Founder & Managing Partner at Vertu Capital, where she brings decades of experience in growth equity and buyouts within the technology sector. As a strategic partner to CEOs, she provides sound judgment, a global network, and a steady hand in navigating long-term business goals.

Before Vertu Capital, Lisa led the North American Technology Group at OMERS Private Equity. Over the course of her career, she has invested nearly $1.4 billion in more than 20 companies across sectors including software, healthtech, cleantech, and industrial technology. She's experienced in growth capital, buyouts, and public-to-private transactions, with a strong track record of guiding businesses through key strategic transitions, including IPOs and acquisitions.

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women. In this episode, host Berlin Mathur is joined by Laura McGee, Founder & CEO at Diversio. 

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Laura McGee is the founder and CEO of Diversio, a Toronto-based tech company that uses machine learning to help companies overcome diversity challenges. She was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence in 2017.

Laura spent a portion of her career at McKinsey & Company where she advised private and public sector clients on talent strategy, including Diversity & Inclusion. She led the Firm’s support for the Canada-US Council for Advancement of Women, the Economic Advisory Council, and multiple private sector clients. She also co-authored diversity research in partnership with Lean In and the The Wall Street Journal.

Outside of work, Laura co-founded the #GoSponsorHer movement and Summit Leaders, a non-profit that inspires low-income students to build the next billion-dollar business. She is a frequent contributor to publications like the The Globe and Mail and Macleans magazine.

We’re so excited to introduce our next Northern Lights Canada guest: Teresa Resch!

Teresa is leading the way as the first-ever President of Toronto Tempo, Canada’s new WNBA team starting in 2026. She’s spent over 20 years helping grow basketball around the world—from working with the NBA to spending 11 seasons with the Toronto Raptors. She helped launch Raptors 905, built the OVO Athletic Centre, and even led the team during their move to Tampa.

🏀 In this episode, we talk about how she got here, what it takes to build a new team, and her vision for women’s sports in Canada. Follow Northern Lights Canada and catch the full episode this Saturday, June 7!

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women

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As Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer and Head of People, Culture & Brand at BMO Financial Group, Mona oversees all aspects of talent strategy, leadership development, and organizational performance.

Over her career, she has held leadership roles across personal and commercial banking, wealth management, and corporate sectors, earning a reputation for driving growth, innovation, and building high-performing teams. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to leadership excellence and the continuous evolution of the workplace to meet the demands of a changing world.

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women

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Alyson is a Senior Vice President at Wasserman, where she leads strategic growth initiatives and client partnerships in sports and entertainment. She previously served as Chief Commercial Officer and SVP of Business at OverActive Media, overseeing global partnerships, marketing, and operations for one of the world’s leading esports organizations. Earlier, she was Vice President of Brand Partnerships & Client Strategy at Bell Media, where she developed innovative content and data solutions for top advertisers, and held leadership roles at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and the Canadian Olympic Committee, contributing to major milestones such as the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. Beyond her executive work, Alyson is a Board Member of Wise Toronto, where she champions the advancement of women in sports business, and serves as a Senior Advisor and Mentor at the Future of Sport Lab, supporting innovation and research in the industry.

Kathleen Taylor is one of Canada’s most accomplished business leaders, best known for her groundbreaking role as the first woman to chair the Board of RBC, the largest bank in Canada, and one of the largest in the world.

Her career has spanned leadership in the hospitality industry as CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, corporate governance roles at some of the country’s most respected institutions, and deep involvement in advancing education and healthcare. Most recently, Katie was named Ivey Business Leader of the Year for 2025, a recognition of her visionary leadership and lasting impact on Canadian business.

Katie’s journey, from breaking barriers in boardrooms to championing innovation and mentorship, has inspired countless women and continues to redefine what leadership looks like in Canada.

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women

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Kelly LaRocca is the Chief of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN), located near Port Perry, Ontario. A dedicated leader and advocate, she has served her community on Council since 2008 and was elected Chief in 2013. With an honours degree in philosophy from the University of Western Ontario and a law degree from the University of Windsor, Kelly also studied Aboriginal law at the University of Victoria after beginning her career as a civil litigation lawyer in Toronto. As Chief, she helped negotiate the commercial gaming and revenue share agreements for the Great Blue Heron Casino, ensuring long-term community resilience and the advancement of capital projects. Beyond her work with MSIFN, she serves as an elected Director of the National Lands Advisory Board for First Nations Lands Management, Vice-Chair of the Ogemawahj Tribal Council, and has held roles on the Aboriginal Justice Committee and Baagwating Community Association.