Susan Baka
President, Bay Communications & Marketing Inc.
www.baycomm.ca 

As a communications specialist with over 25 years of experience, Susan Baka is a start-up expert and seasoned writer. She has directed the launch of over 50 business publications, services and Web sites in the fields of women in business, real estate, law, human resources, workplace health and safety, forensic accounting, trade, tourism, and public policy. Helping clients succeed is not only Susan’s business, it’s her passion. A proven strategic thinker and writer, she is adept at showcasing her clients’ expertise through incisive writing and information vehicles that stand out from traditional marketing approaches. Time and time again, the communications vehicles she crafts for Bay’s clients garner high praise and deliver measurable success.

Prior to starting Bay Communications in the early 90s, Susan spent 12 years with one of Canada’s largest publishing and communications companies, Southam, as an editor, publisher and general manager of its business information services division.
Susan was a protégée in the Step Ahead program in the early ‘90s. A co-chair of Step Ahead for several years, she launched and continues to serve as Editor of the Stepping Ahead newsletter, manages communications and PR for the program, and is a member of the Executive Committee. Susan is active in other business associations as well, both in Canada and internationally. A founding member and Past President of the Organization of Women in International Trade-Toronto (OWIT-Toronto), and VP, Communications at the international level , she has an extensive international network.  In April 2008, Susan was appointed a member of the Minister of International Trade’s Small and Medium Enterprise Advisory Committee, where she represents the interests of women exporters. 

In addition, Susan is considered one of Canada’s top authorities on entrepreneurship and small business, especially for women. She writes and speaks regularly on these topics, as well as on marketing-related subjects, in Canada and internationally.

Wendy Banting
President, Secural Datashred Inc.
www.secural.com

Wendy Banting is the President of Secural Datashred Inc. and Secural Environmental Products. Incorporated in 1988, the company initially focused on confidential shredding and recycling, based on Wendy’s concerns for the confidentiality of information and environmental protection. She designed, patented and manufactured her own security containers and recycling containers. She holds industrial design registrations in Canada and patents in the United States, and the respective trademarks in both countries. She exports her Secural Datasafes to the U.S. market.

The Secural Environmental division has a wide range of environmental containers suitable for home, cottage, office and industry and also includes water treatment for ponds, wastewater and heating and cooling systems. Wendy holds her water license from the Ministry of the Environment. Although she is licensed to administer pesticides and herbicides to bodies of water, Wendy prefers to use all natural products that use the environment itself to do the clean up.

Wendy completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a post-graduate Diploma in Assessment and Counselling at the University of Toronto, Institute of Child Study. She worked in consultant and management positions in organization psychology and human resources before starting her own business. Wendy has been involved with mentoring for many years. A founding member of Step Ahead, she was the first Chairperson, guiding it through the transition from government program to non-profit organization. She was a protégée in the pilot Step-up program and has acted as a matcher since then, pairing protégées with mentors, and formally has mentored five women herself, all while active on the Step Ahead Executive Committee.

Laurine Bromley
Fete International Events
www.fetevents.com

Laurine Bromley, president of Fete International Events, has built many long-term relationships with corporations and association in planning their North American and international events, including: IBM, Tech Data, French Government Tourist Board, Toronto Raptors, CN Tower, World Basketball Inaugural, and IATSE (film industry).

Subsequent to opening Fete in 1993, Laurine spent several years at Canada Trust and Bank of Montreal arranging VIP functions, launches and executive receptions. She obtained additional knowledge through her position as the Affinity Marketing Manager – Alumni Development. This new area in the banking world required enthusiasm, promotional and large-portfolio management expertise which was successfully delivered.

Laurine’s extensive event management, exhibit design and conference planning services have also included street festivals, cross-country tours, grand openings, etc., resulting in countless connections with seasoned and proficient entertainment, staff and suppliers.

Christina Cavanagh
Managing Partner, 36Sambir - Worksmart Productivity Solutions
ccavanagh@36sambir.ca

Christina’s core knowledge centres on marketing, strategy and communications and she has built an unconventional career path deploying this combination of skills. Recently, she was executive director of Toronto CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Society, where her mandate was to take this member organization of 5,200+ to the next level and strive to become a best practice professional association. Under her tutelage, Toronto won global society awards, three years in a row, in 3 of the 4 categories annually awarded – planning, collaboration and innovation.  Prior to that, she was a professor at the Richard Ivey School of Business teaching management communications/media relations to MBA and EMBA candidates.  She gained notoriety through her practitioner research into workplace email searching for productive solutions to electronic communications and is author of the book Managing Your E-mail: Thinking Outside the Inbox. She is considered an international expert in the field and is a sought-after guest speaker, having appeared in print, radio and television in North America, Europe and Australia. In 2002-6, she was a part-time columnist writing about workplace email for the Globe and Mail (Inbox Insights)

Christina conducts workshops on public speaking and presentation skills at the Rotman School of Management. She is also launching her own small business focused on workplace productivity and communication.

Christina first became involved with Step Ahead in 1998-99 as a sponsor representative.  A year later, she was invited back in her new role as an academic to make a presentation on Cashflows, profits and other money saving strategies for small business.  She maintained professional connections with Step Ahead alumnus and joined the board in the Fall 2008.

Donna Kutter
President, Dare Marketing Inc.
www.daremarketing.com

Based in Mississauga, Donna Kutter started Dare Marketing Inc. in 1994 with a vision to assist companies in growing by maintaining communication with their customers. The company began by performing data entry of survey forms and has become a complete fulfillment house where its services include literature storage; pick, pack and ship services; mail services; database management; data entry.

Donna’s road to success started with her practical experience in an office of a small nut and bolt manufacturer where she learned purchasing and inventory management. This provided the foundation to become part of the purchasing team at Hewlett-Packard. Working as the Purchasing Manager, she learned the aspects of corporate relationship building and went on to a position at Crowntek, the largest computer reseller at that time, and was responsible for an inventory of over $50 million per year. The eventual merger and resulting downsizing of the company presented Donna with the opportunity to start her own business where she could rely on her own wealth of experience; thus, Dare Office Outsourcing, the first name of her company, was born.

Donna graduated from the Step Ahead One-on-One Mentoring Program in 1999; Margaret Hachey was her mentor. During that year, Donna grew her company 35%. It turned out to be a great match; not only did sales increase, but Donna and Marg also became good friends.

Patti McGuigan, BComm, CFP, FDS
Certified Financial Planner, Investors Group
www.investorsgroup.com/consult/patti.mcguigan

Patti and her team have been helping their clients for almost 11 years now in their Financial Planning needs. After a 15 year career in Corporate and Business Planning with Bell Canada she decided to use her love of finances with her love of dealing with people to become a Certified Financial Planner.

She was a Protégée in the 2001 Step Ahead Program and has been on The Executive since 2003. She has always believed strongly in the program and is excited by the successes of many of its members. Patti oversees curriculum development.

Judy Paradi
President, Paradi Marketing Inc.
www.paradimarketing.com

In 1984, Judy Paradi founded J Mode Graphics. Incredibly, in the first year of operation the company grew from a staff of two to 25. In 2000, the company was re-branded to Paradi Marketing Inc. (PMI) and continued to flourish.

After 23 years of operation, in 2007 the company was downsized to allow Judy to pursue other opportunities. Although still very much involved in PMI, Judy currently also keeps busy with new business ventures and consulting with companies, large and small, in the areas of business processes and strategic marketing. And she teaches a course on entrepreneurship at the University of Toronto’s school of engineering.

In addition, she has been a guest speaker at Humber College and for the Halton Professional Business Women’s Association and has conducted marketing workshops for the Federal Government. She loves to mentor and started a “Run for Fun” group at Leaside High allowing young people to talk freely while learning the joys of running.

Judy serves as judge for a number of marketing awards including the Marquee, the Frankie and the ACE Awards. She was also chair of a fundraising committee for the CNIB and continues to do ‘grass roots’ volunteer work, including one-on-one care for a visually impaired woman. She served on the Toronto “Clean Streets” committee for two years and became involved in municipal politics as campaign manager of the ‘Jane Pitfield for Mayor’ campaign in 2006.

A member of Step Ahead’s board since 2005, Judy contributes her marketing expertise.  She has also served as a mentor for a number of years. 

Lisa A. Scale, L.P.P.O
Bella Photography Inc.
www.bellaphotography.ca

Lisa Scale, L.P.P.O (Licentiate Professional Photographer of Ontario), is a third generation professional photographer and brings more than 20 years of portrait experience to every image she captures. A few of her honours include: Canadian Forces Professional Photographer of the Year, Central Ontario’s Portrait Photographer of the Year and most recent “Best Black & White Photograph” in Ontario by the Professional Photographers of Ontario.  Her desire to capture touching images can be seen throughout her portfolio. To many, the images she creates are considered the most priceless piece of art they own.

Nestled in the picturesque Hills of Caledon, Lisa’s studio is a source of tranquility and inspiration. Whether shooting inside or on the 23 acre property, clients love the warmth and personality each portrait embodies. Lisa has a made the act of getting a portrait done a wonderful experience which her clients come back for again and again.

Lisa started her career in photography almost by accident; a summer camp as a teenager ignited her passion, and she went on to graduate from the Creative Photographic Program at Humber College, teaching at the same program from 2002 to 2005 and at University of Guelph-Humber Media Studies Photography program in 2006. She is now on the Advisory Board for Humber College’s Photography Program. In 2006, Lisa became a protégée in the Step Ahead Program; thoroughly enjoying and benefiting from it immensely. She has remained active in the program, being a speaker and a panel member and finally joining the Executive Committee in late 2008.

Elaine Frost
Founder and Owner, Trusted Transitions
www.trustedtransitions.com

Elaine Frost started her company was started in 2003 to assist seniors and their families faced with the overwhelming challenge of transitioning from the family home to a condo, Retirement Residence or care facility. It also supports Executors. Trusted Transitions now serves clients in the GTA, Collingwood and Wasaga Beach, the Stratford area, and the Hamilton / Niagara region.   

Elaine’s background includes an MBA from The Richard Ivey School of Business. She subsequently joined IBM Canada, and spent 15 years in progressively senior management positions. Elaine was also the CFO of Lexmark Canada, and has run her own Management Consulting practice for over 15 years. She also serves on the Board of Furniture Bank.

Elaine has been a mentor at Step Ahead for five years and is the Instructor for the revamped Step Ahead curriculum in 2009. 

Donene Lashbrook
President, Lashbrook Marketing
www.besteversleep.com

Donene has focused on results-driven solutions for dynamic businesses looking for new markets for 30+ years and has recently become CEO of the BestEverSleep Company, designer, manufacture and distributor of a drug-free sleep kit for insomniacs. A long-standing supporter of Step Ahead, Donene has mentored many protégées, including nine in Step Ahead's program, and helps to recruit protégées through establishing strategic alliances and community outreach with other women's business organizations.

Wendy Sutton
President, WM Sutton Consulting Inc.
wendysutton@rogers.com

WM Sutton provides governance consulting services and has advised Step Ahead on legal matters. Wendy has been a former mentor with Step Ahead and, for several years, was a member of the Step Ahead Executive.

Linda Wilson
President, Precision Management Catalysts
www.precisionstrategy.ca

Precision Management Catalysts is a business-management consulting firm specializing in strategy, research, new business development, start-ups, marketing, management, and organizational-change management. Linda has been a mentor and guest speaker for Step Ahead and assists the Executive with business and strategic planning.