Mentors who make it happen in the world of Entrepreneurship, Business, and Finance!
Sherri Blades
Management consultant, Change Management & Leadership Development
Currently, I work as a management consultant, providing change management and organizational effectiveness support to large organizations. My professional background is in Human Resources and Leadership Development. Although all throughout school I thought I would be a lawyer I changed my mind half-way through university (which seems to be what most people do)
I was born in Montreal, raised in Toronto but strongly influenced by Barbados where my parents are from. I think being influenced by these three places has encouraged my love of travel. A personal goal of mine since 2015 is to travel to one new country every year, last year it was Mexico, and this year’s trip is still to be determined!
When I’m not at work I really enjoy spending time with friends and fam, reading good novels or memoirs, FaceTiming with partner (we’re long distance!) and listening to podcasts. I’ve also spent some time in the last year really thinking about self-care, I found myself constantly de-prioritizing what I needed to take care of myself in service of work, family, friends and volunteer work. I was stretched thin and tired. Self-care has been an interesting journey to say the least, but I will say I have learned a lot about boundaries and how to say yes, a little less.
I am excited to become a mentor because I strongly believe in helping others to move beyond any limiting self-beliefs, which in turn builds confidence to pursue dreams. Ultimately, I believe the mentor/mentee is the opportunity for a relationship where each person can learn from each other and learn together.
Mariah Giscombe
Certified Life & Success Coach, Business Strategist
Mariah is a NLP certified life & success coach, business strategist, and mentor who is committed to guiding mission driven entrepreneurs toward their highest potential. In 2011, she quit her salon management job to start her first company MG Squared Consulting, but it wasn’t easy. So, after overcoming business struggles, burnout, depression, and self doubt, Mariah’s mission for helping women to overcome the same challenges was born.
Now, Mariah teaches women entrepreneurs how to confidently take their lives and businesses to the next level, by combining life coaching, business strategy, and mindset mastery techniques. She has a specialized honours degree in Sociology from York University, has post-graduate education in Strategic Business Management, and is 2015 Black Canadian Awards Community Role Model Honouree. Mariah is also a certified Hypnotherapist and EFT Practitioner where she teaches how to create success by working with the power of the subconscious mind.
Born and raised in Toronto, and a proud girl mom of 1, Mariah is excited about the opportunity to empower young black women to a place of owning their worth and becoming their most powerful, confident, and authentic selves.”
Bianca LC
Entrepreneur, Creative Consultant, & Product Strategist
Bianca LC is an experienced product strategist with a demonstrated history of working in the design industry. Skilled in purpose-led branding, creative strategy, entrepreneurship, she leads an all-female team. While completing her undergrad, her work has straddled both designing for empowerment of community through design, and consulting design strategy on projects within the commercial music industry. In the last 5 years, she has brand consulted and designed for institutions between Toronto and New York. She considers design a pro-social tool, creating limitless opportunities to shift and challenge barriers. She is a graduate of OCAD University with her Bachelor of Design in Advertising. She’s always down for tea.
Léa Muamba
Founder of All Things Slayah & Community Worker
My name is Léa and I am a proud to be black woman with a vision and a purpose. As a woman walking in her purpose, I cease opportunities which allow me to help my counterparts walk in their own purpose as well. I do so because I believe that the best leaders are those who teach others how to lead. Black women have been predisposed to self-hate through various platforms. Hence, the holistic well-being and progression of black women and black communities is important to me. I work in the field of health and community services, and I am the founder of All Things Slayah. The community work that I do is rooted in combating anti-black racism while improving social determinants of health impacting black communities. I have a genuine passion for giving back to the black communities and helping black people develop skill sets that will allow them to discover their purpose and skills that can push them to excel in their lives & career. I believe this mentorship project is mutually beneficial for everyone involved, because mentors can also learn from their mentees and not just the other way around. I am excited to continue being a mentor with Women’s Health In Women’s Hands and I look forward to building a meaningful & trusting relationship with my mentee.
Kara Stewart-Agostino
Fitness Entrepreneur & Personal Trainer
Hi, I’m Kara Stewart-Agostino, owner of KSA Fitness in Toronto. I became a certified personal trainer when my son was 4 and my daughter was 1, looking for a carer that would give me some flexibility as a parent but would also give me a sense of making a positive impact in people’s lives. I quickly fell in love with my work and launched my company at the end of 2015. Building community through authentic connections is at the centre of everything I do. I use fitness as a way to build community whether its through my group classes that are open to anyone or my group 30/30 Strong which is only open to BIPOC women. I’m passionate about social justice, feminism, and building communities that care for one another. I didn’t have many examples of Black, female entrepreneurs when I started down this journey and I look forward to being part of a program that will show young Black women all of the possibilities that are open to them. As an entrepreneur I’ve learned more about myself than I ever expected — the extent of my resilience, creativity, and goals. I started out with just a handful of clients that I would visit in their homes or in parks and now have a full roster, 10+ group classes per week, youth fitness classes and an on-demand workout library. I have managed to successfully grow my business every year (even during the 2020 pandemic) by pivoting my business, creating different revenue streams and fostering positive client relationships. I would love to walk alongside another young Black women as she navigates the struggles and successes that building your own business can bring. When I step away from work, you can find me with my husband and kids who are now 9 and 12. We are either playing baseball, exploring hiking trails with our two dogs or on a road trip to find the best ice cream/pizza/beef patty/any delicious food that a city has to offer!
Vitumbiko Mhango
Registered Professional Planner
Vitumbiko Mhango is a Registered Professional Planner and full Member of the Canadian Institute of Planning, currently working as a Planner within the Parks Development and Capital Projects Branch of the City of Toronto. Ms. Mhango is a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s School of Planning, with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Honours Planning and is pursuing a Masters of Planning from the University of Waterloo. Vitumbiko possesses planning experience working in the private and public sectors, and is passionate about using her career to positively contribute to community-building and creating a good quality of life. Vitumbiko is dedicated to providing others with support to excel in their careers and as individuals. In her free time, you can find Vitumbiko baking and cheering on the Raptors!
Gamiela F.
Communications Professional
Gamiela (she/her)Communications Professional I’m an experienced Communications professional currently working in the private sector. I came to Canada at the age of three with my parents and brothers and grew up in North York. When I think back to my teen years and high school, I remember the lack of encouragement and support from many of the adults I encountered in the system. I still recall sitting in a room with my guidance councillor who tried to discourage me from attending higher education. Thankfully, I didn’t listen to him. I received a diploma in Public Relations from Humber College followed by a B.A. double major in Communication Studies and Professional Writing from York University. It was a long and stressful road to get to where I am today, and I’m still continuously learning and growing. I believe that the support and guidance of a mentor who cares can truly make a difference. That’s why I’m so excited to be a part of the program. My approach to mentorship would be non-judgmental, attentive listening, and sharing my own experiences and the experiences of those around me.
Dilesha Stelmach
STEM Entrepreneur, Insurance Analyst and Serial Intrapreneur
Dilesha Stelmach is a STEM Warrior, Insurance Analyst and Serial Intrapreneur. Her work focuses on disruption which includes dismantling systems of oppression from within, applying an intersectional lens to advanced technology and of course mentorship.
Mentees interested in Technology, Business, and Math can find great resources in Dilesha and her network. Mentees unsure of what path they want to take would also find great light from Dilesha’s unconventional path from Reception to Director of a publicly traded company in under a decade. Just be ready to plan, work, learn and level up!
*We are accepting applications for Mentors and registrations for Mentees
To register as a Mentor or Mentee, contact Program Coordinator Rowa Mohamed :
(647)613-0736 OR email mentor@whiwh.com
The netWORKING Mentorship Project! 