Haitian-born Emilie Lafortune is a 30-year-old woman of determination and passion. At the age of 18, she left her native Haiti for Argentina, where she began a new life, juggling studies and work.

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In 2021, Emilie emigrated to Canada, bringing with her her rich culinary culture and infectious enthusiasm. With no great expectations, she began sharing cooking videos on her social networks, simply as a hobby. However, one day, one of her recipes generated an unexpected buzz, propelling her social accounts into the spotlight.

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Her iconic slogan, "LE GOÛT DE ÇA", quickly became synonymous with her success, to the point of becoming the name of her food brand. Today, Emilie Lafortune continues to captivate and inspire with her culinary creations, while sharing her love of cooking with an ever-growing audience.

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Afoali Ngwakum Akisa is a Montreal-based creative mind, storyteller, and founder of 9:16 Stories, a video production company specializing in emotionally resonant, goal-driven narratives. Inspired by her father’s love for capturing family memories, Afoali turned her passion for storytelling into a thriving career, helping businesses and creators cut through the digital noise with content that connects and drives results.

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Her work has delivered measurable impact across industries. Afoali’s expertise helped Swab the World raise over $232,000 through social media campaigns, secured $614,000 in funding for Sayaspora’s mission to empower African women, and supported Juno in raising $300,000 to innovate menstrual health solutions. Known for blending creativity and strategy, Afoali ensures that her clients’ stories resonate and inspire action.

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In her workshops, Afoali empowers participants to create engaging content that not only captures attention but delivers real results. By sharing practical techniques, creative insights, and actionable strategies, she equips business owners, marketers, and creators with the tools to stand out in today’s crowded content landscape.

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Déborah Cherenfant is a multi-award-winning women's entrepreneurship strategist with an impressive track record since her arrival in Quebec in 2005. Passionately committed to economic development for over 15 years, she actively serves on numerous boards and working committees. A trilingual graduate in economics and entrepreneurship, she has launched multiple initiatives over the years to champion women and diversity in business.

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For more than a decade, Déborah has successfully navigated the business world, while also establishing herself as a speaker, trainer, interviewer, and outstanding host. Her expertise is widely sought after across industries, where she is invited to share her insights and perspectives on current issues.<br>From 2021 to 2023, she was an analyst on Tout Un Matin on ICI Première, Radio-Canada’s flagship radio program, and since 2022, she has been a panelist on the TV show Les Débatteurs on Noovo.<br>

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