Team 20s - Grace Hillion A Cobourg native. Embodies confidence & self-love. An OG girls- girl, she’s a trailblazing advocate for body positivity and self-esteem. Dedicating her spare time to uplifting others through social media platforms such as Instagram. Always pushing the envelope through fashion, Grace fiercely demonstrates that no one should put themselves in a societal box because everyone is beautiful no matter their size. Instagram Instagram2

Team 30s - Emily O’Brien is an entrepreneur and the Founder of Comeback Snacks—a specialty popcorn company that challenges the status quo. After being sentenced to a four-year jail term following an abusive relationship, Emily set out on a mission to transform herself and make her time in jail as meaningful as possible. Using her entrepreneurial pre-sentence background and experience, Emily birthed the idea for Comeback Snacks (formerly ‘Cons and Kernels’)—a popcorn brand that uses high-quality, health-conscious ingredients to create unique flavours inspired by the ones Emily developed in prison. In June 2021, Emily opened Comeback Commissary, Comeback Snacks’ first-ever retail store, with a focus on telling her story and the stories of other inmates in a physical setting. Through her trailblazing efforts, Emily is an example that positive change can happen within correctional institutions with passion, drive, and a positive mindset. Emily is determined to help remove the stigma surrounding people with prior convictions, as well as give them opportunities for reintegration through training, empowerment and education. As a leading voice in this unique movement, Emily is frequently called upon by media, including CBC, CTV, Global, Toronto Star, iHeartRadio, CHCH, VICE, and more. Emily was awarded the Business Leadership & Entrepreneurship award at the 2020 YWCA Hamilton Women of Distinction Awards and, most recently, was named a finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year by the Women’s Empowerment Awards. In 2022, she also received The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee for Community Service in recognition of her dedication to social justice. Emily is currently penning a memoir outlining her experience throughout the criminal justice system and beyond. For more on Emily, visit her website. Instagram Facebook X

Team 40s - kristen gale creator + ceo of THE TEN SPOT® beauty bars. starting her business at the age of 24, kristen is one of the country’s most recognized young leaders and entrepreneurs, known for canada’s largest and fasted growing beauty bar and retail company. kristen often works with professional women and entrepreneurs to provide tangible tips and tools that she has learned over the last 15+ years of her franchising success. her vision to franchise THE TEN SPOT® was driven by her passion to empower women to live their best life. she saw the opportunity for other women to experience the freedom and success she accomplished and knew that by developing processes and tools within her proven business model, other women could achieve that same success in markets across the world. her energetic and passionate personality lights up the room as she uses her unique ability to motivate and inspire women to go after their dreams. kristen’s story of hard work + setbacks leaps forward and all the fun in between is a refreshing tale of the female entrepreneur. kristen is the proud recipient of Canada's top 40 under 40 award, 100 top female entrepreneurs + top young female entrepreneur. @kris10spot YouTube LinkedIn

Team 50s - Annabel Griffiths Fitzsimmons Hi, I’m Annabel, and I’m proud to be repping Team 50s! Never to be defined by one role, I have what I like to call a portfolio career. Or, as my two teenagers say, I do a lot of things. I’m a: writer, author, playwright, speaker; a yoga, meditation, and Pilates teacher; a creative collaborator; and an entrepreneur. I was born in Canada, grew up in Bermuda and England, and then moved back to Canada for high school. I learned at an early age to carve my own path, but also the power and beauty of collaborating with others. I love helping people find their voice, stay true to themselves, and connect or reconnect with what’s important to them. I’ll find any excuse to travel, and I’m happiest by the water. You can find me on social media channels @annabeljfitz

Team 60s - Iris Simpson is former graduate of Ryerson Polytechnic Institute’s now renamed Toronto Metropolitan University, Fashion Merchandising and Design program. She has been a fixture in Toronto’s fashion scene for over 4 decades.  Iris has had a very rich legacy in Canada’s fashion industry as a former buyer of international designers. She worked as a creative producer and stylist for over 25 years and is presently working alongside some of Canada’s top fashion photographers and models.  Iris has participated in workshops and spoken at many industry events during her storied career.  During Canada’s Sesquicentennial year Iris worked as the Director of THEN NOW NEXT an exhibition showcasing 150 years of Canadian fashion history.  She is a board member of The Fashion History Museum, Canada’s only comprehensive museum showcasing fashion from the last 100 years.  Iris’s love of fashion brought her to back to Toronto Metropolitan University’s Chang School of Continuing Education as an instructor; she is currently an instructor for the Fashion Innovation Project.   Iris is also cofounder of a clothing brand, Hello Couture, which includes vintage, repurposed and new designs. Iris has mentored and inspired former graduates and fashion lovers alike, throughout her long and storied career. Instagram LinkedIn Black Fashion Canada Profile Women Empowerment Podcast: 12 Band Gallery Profile

Team 70s - For 20 years Phyllis Taylor was teaching technology at an international law firm -- determined to make lawyer’s shine! All grown up and driven to enhance her own education, Phyllis attended Ryerson University to study Journalism, George Brown College to study Adult Education & Counselling, and University of Toronto to study Philosophy – thus deepening her reflections on life. A decade ago, Phyllis overcame her teaching addiction to embrace her speaking addiction, where competitive public speaking performances won her numerous awards. Recently, Phyllis authored The Prison Lady, a Memoir of her journey alongside prisoners. When Phyllis isn’t speaking, writing, or attending courses, she can be found counselling others in her capacity as a Certified Life and Mediation Coach. Phyllis says her ultimate professional pride is her position with the Ministry of Ontario, where she delivers motivational pieces and has won awards for her dedication, innovation, and inspirational work with prisoners. Loving and respecting marginalized people, while guiding them on their healing journey, is what Phyllis calls making her dream a reality. TVO interview with Steve Paikin of The Agenda Podcast interview with Ellin Bessner of The Canadian Jewish news Radio interview with Ismaila Alfa of CBC Radio Radio interview with Judy Librach of Zoomer Radio