Happy Filipino Heritage Month!

As a result of following more Filipino/a/x folks on social media in 2020, I learned that Americans celebrate Filipino American History Month in October HARD. I wondered if there was an equivalent month in Canada, and there is, in June!

Not every province celebrates the month, so I challenged myself by posting about one Filipino/a/x entrepreneur or business owners in or around Vancouver, BC every day in June on my Instagram account.

I first did this challenge in 2021 and when my business Instagram account was hacked in 2024 and the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy occurred in my neighbourhood in spring 2025, I decided to do an updated version for 2025 to show more support for my community. (My new account is @therealsandranomoto.)

I am seeing even more amazing Filipino/a/x entrepreneurs all the time, so I think I’ll do another series in June 2026.

Donna Fathi

Donna Fathi is a driven serial entrepreneur with a passion for achieving her goals. Growing up with limited resources fueled her determination to build a better future for herself and her family. She owns Studio D Hair Salon in East Vancouver, established in 2008, and is a skilled Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) artist and educator through her brand Flawless SMP.

In 2023, she co-founded Vancouver Ink SMP with her business partner Rachel, where they teach both SMP and the advanced Scalp Shading technique. During the COVID lockdown, Donna launched an Amazon business and continues to grow her e-commerce brand alongside her salon and SMP work.

With two young children, a supportive husband, and a new puppy, she balances family life while running multiple businesses. Her dedication and hard work have allowed her to achieve personal dreams, including buying her dream home and a hot tub she had wished for since childhood. Donna believes consistency and discipline are the keys to reaching any goal, no matter what. Visit her websites at studiodhairsalon.com, flawlessscalp.com, and vancouverinksmp.com.

Earl Flormata

Earl Flormata is a seasoned business growth strategist who specializes in helping small and mid-sized businesses break through plateaus and reach their next level of profitability. With over two decades of experience spanning tech, marketing, and operations, Earl has built, scaled, and optimized countless businesses by blending street-smart strategies with cutting-edge tools—from AI automation to lean process optimization.

Known for his no-fluff, results-driven approach, Earl helps founders and CEOs uncover hidden profit opportunities, streamline systems, and build scalable engines that don’t rely on constant hustle. Whether he’s mapping out a growth strategy, building high-converting funnels, or identifying joint venture opportunities, Earl’s superpower lies in quickly diagnosing what’s stuck and turning complexity into clarity.

Having generated millions in revenue across multiple industries—including SaaS, real estate, health, and e-commerce—Earl brings a rare mix of creative insight and technical depth to the table. He’s also the mind behind programs like Business Engine Optimization and Mind of a Marketer, where he teaches entrepreneurs how to build systems that do the heavy lifting.

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and ready to level up your business without burning out, Earl’s the consultant you call when you need a real plan—not just another pep talk.

Trisha Ocampo

Trisha Ocampo is a proud Filipino entrepreneur and the heart behind The Cove Indoor Play—an inclusive, sensory-friendly space in New Westminster, BC designed to support families with young children. Rooted in her deep values of compassion, community, and faith, Trisha has created more than just a play space—it’s a safe haven for parents and children to rest, connect, and feel seen.

In light of the recent tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day festival, Trisha is offering The Cove as a place of healing and support. Families affected can access a free 1-hour massage, book quiet one-on-one counselling sessions, or make use of The Cove’s gentle childminding options to get the space and care they need.

With a strong commitment to uplifting the Filipino community and all those in need of rest and restoration, Trisha continues to lead with heart—offering her space not just for play, but for peace.

LeLe Chan

LeLe Chan is a Filipina visual artist and writer based in Vancouver, BC. She is the founder of Tahanan Studio, a BIPOC-led creative wellness space, and the co-founder and producer of Kamayan Festival, an annual celebration of Filipino food, art, and culture. Her multidisciplinary practice spans tattooing, painting, calligraphy, hand engraving, wood-burning, graphic design, installation, and storytelling through the written word.

LeLe’s work is rooted in her Tagalog heritage and guided by values of decolonization, anti-racism, and collective healing. She creates art as a form of resistance and ritual, often drawing on spiritual symbolism, intuitive storytelling, and ancestral wisdom. Whether she’s crafting intuitive talismans, hosting community gatherings, or writing about diasporic grief and liberation, her work seeks to empower, connect, and hold space for transformation.

Through her creative practice and leadership at Tahanan Studio, LeLe continues to build spaces where art becomes a catalyst for truth-telling, joy, and liberated futures.

Jamie Burke

Jamie Burke (she/her) is runs a real estate marketing agency, Burke By Burke, with her husband Eddie. She is an avid reader, dedicated cat mom, self-proclaimed foodie, urban land economics enthusiast, Barry’s Tea drinker and part-time yogi. She lives, works and plays in Port Moody, BC, on the ancestral and unceded homelands of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), qʼʷa:n̓ ƛʼən̓ (Kwantlen), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), and Stó:lō (Sto:lo) Peoples.

Ryan Diaz

Ryan “The Lion” Diaz is just an East Van Kid with big goals and dreams. He’s no rich guy and Diaz Combat Sports (DCS) is not owned by some big corporation. He grew up in Mount Pleasant in the basement suite of a Vancouver special in Vancity. Ryan was a 2-time MMA World Champion and has lived, trained and fought martial arts all over the world.

There’s a saying that goes “When you can’t do, you can’t teach.” He got to the end of his fighting career and always knew—and wanted as a kid—to open his own school one day. DCS started in a small 2 car-garage in Vancouver. It was a place for him and his friends to train together. That part hasn’t changed. He’s just got a lot more friends now. His dream was always to one day open his own gym. He also wanted to bring a real world class martial arts school to Vancouver, one that was on par with the best in the world.

Accolades include:
⦁ Lived and trained in martial arts in Thailand, Philippines, Arizona and Las Vegas. Trainer to many professional fighters, including current UFC fighters.
⦁ Co-owner of The MMA Lab with world renowned MMA coach John Crouch and the greatest UFC Lightweight Champion, Benson Henderson, in Phoenix, Arizona
⦁ KOTC Bantamweight World Champion
⦁ AFC Bantamweight World Champion
⦁ Hook n Shoot North American Champion, 2x PNW Champion
⦁ Fearless MMA Champion, Canadian Muay Thai Champion
⦁ Intercontinental Muay Thai Champion and ADCC veteran
⦁ Veteran of over 50 professional fights all over the world. Places include Japan, Hawaii, Abu Dhabi, California, Florida, Philippines
⦁ Events include: ONE Championship, Strikeforce, Superbrawl, Hook n Shoot, TKO, KOTC, S-Cup (Shootboxing) Japan, Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling Championships (ADCC) and Shooto Japan.

Arlene Panganiban

I’m Arlene Panganiban—a proud Filipina, mom of four, marketing and event professional, and the owner of VancouverMom.ca since May 2023. With over a decade of experience in marketing, sales, and event planning, I’ve always been passionate about creating connections and meaningful experiences. But as a mother and community advocate, I was drawn to something deeper—something that aligned both with my skills and my heart. That journey led me to VancouverMom.ca, a platform I’d long admired for its ability to uplift families and local businesses across Metro Vancouver.

Today, I pour my energy into curating helpful, inspiring, and joy-filled content for
moms—especially those looking for fun things to do with their kids, hidden gems in the city, and services that make life a little easier. I believe in building community, celebrating diverse voices, and creating a space where moms feel seen, supported, and connected.

As a Filipina woman, I’m deeply proud of my roots and the strength, resilience, and joy that come with my heritage. It’s an honor to represent the Filipinx community in this space and to help amplify the voices of fellow women, mothers, and entrepreneurs in Vancouver.

Raquel Konrad

Raquel Konrad (she/her) is the passionate founder and owner of Bukobaba Essentials Inc. Born in Las Piñas, Philippines, Raquel grew up in Vancouver, maintaining strong cultural ties with her birthplace.

Bukobaba is Raquel’s vision of bridging her two worlds: bringing Philippine essentials, prepared in traditional methods going back centuries in the Philippines, to Canada where educated consumers recognize artisanal, small-batch products that support local farmers and producers in native lands.

“You have the power to do good…for your body, your soul, and for the rest of the world.”

Gino Coronado

At the young age of 6, barber and co-owner/entrepreneur Gino Coronado had a detailed eye when it came to hair, especially drawn to the medium as an outlet for expression and identity. Having grown an entrepreneurial mindset in his teenage years, as well as starting to cut hair in 2006, the inception of ideas led to the curation of Haides.

Gino’s passion for hair as a craft, alongside the value of creating authentic relationships through serving others, has resulted in exponential growth behind the chair, as an individual, and a businessman. With over 15 years of industry experience specializing in men’s hair cutting as well as personal development, his career has taken him around the globe: across Europe, India, Asia and east to west through North America. He worked alongside industry leaders, unconditionally studied the art of barbering, and now provides education, while continuing to provide premium barber services.

His personal achievements as an educator and constant high demand for a seat in his chair have proven to be an outcome of hard work, authenticity, and passion for the craft and industry.

Christina Florencio

Christina Florencio is a slow fashion advocate and the founder of REVIVAL, a vintage clothing and home goods store located in Mount Pleasant that champions individuality through bold, one-of-a-kind pieces. With a strong commitment to sustainability and community, REVIVAL proudly features products from local Filipina-owned brands including VINTA, Eunoia Naturale, Fashionoise, and Priority Candles.

Christina’s mission is to make slow fashion accessible by offering a thoughtfully curated collection of preloved pieces at affordable prices. Beyond retail, REVIVAL hosts monthly colour analysis classes and regular fundraisers in support of Dress for Success Vancouver. Christina recently expanded the brand with a second location at Bentall Centre Three, which opened its doors on May 1st this year.

Jewel Tolentino

Jewel Tolentino is a full time Creative, YouTuber and Co-Founder of Essetino Media. Her passion is helping entrepreneurs and businesses leverage the power of YouTube to build authority, expand their audience, make a bigger impact and monetize.

In 2015, she, along with her business partner Auret Esselen launched their YouTube channel dedicated to teaching creative entrepreneurs how to grow their business and establish a solid presence online.

Today, the channel has surpassed 62,000 subscribers and continues to grow with 1000+ subscribers each month.

These ladies have since helped over 85,000 students through their online course community, private coaching, and channel management services as well as millions more through their YouTube tutorials.

Visit essetinomedia.com for a free YouTube Guide with 12 ready-to-film video ideas.

Romeo Reyes

Romeo Reyes is a Filipino Canadian Tattoo Artist and owner of Zen Tattoo in Richmond, BC. He is also an actor, singer, and transgender advocate.

Romeo specializes in floral and Asian style tattoos. He also tattoos Baybayin Script upon special request.

Romeo is passionate about sharing his culture and advocating for the transgender community through his art. He’s also the creator & host of Futr Azn alongside Nathalie De Los Santos, a special series that launched in May 2025 (Asian Heritage Month) representing and uplifting the Asian & Filipino community.

He hopes to inspire youth and people to live authentically.

Genicca Whitney

Holistic Financial Strategist Genicca Whitney is committed to your financial transformation. At 18 years old, she embarked on her journey towards personal financial mastery, purchasing a brand new home for her Filipino parents before 20 through entrepreneurial success.

As a seasoned real estate investor, financial planner and licensed real estate advisor in British Columbia, Genicca is deeply devoted to helping immigrants, millennials, and entrepreneurs strategically build and preserve generational wealth.

Sammie Jo Rumbaua, Kimberly Rumbaua, Vinelli Rumbaua-Teguibon

Day-of Coordinator/Emcee Sammie Jo Rumbaua, Design + Decor Kimberly Rumbaua and Principal Planner + Day-of Coordinator Vinelli Rumbaua-Teguibon make up Power of Threee. (Yes, with 3 e’s). They are threee sisters, best friends, and business partners. They understand the importance of women inspiring each other and that together, they are a stronger force. They believe in pushing one another forward instead of holding each other back.

Ever since forever, they’ve had a zeal to help others make their dreams into reality. Although they individually have their own niches and strengths, from health and wellness to politics—their overall passion has been events, specifically weddings. They love, love and appreciate all the little things that need to come together in order for the grand vision to come to fruition. They’ve been blessed to be part of countless weddings, from simple celebrations of 10 to grand receptions of 500 guests. Each wedding has been unique in its own way with its traditions like the cord + veil to others like the tea ceremony. Each tradition is so beautiful and with each wedding, they’ve built amazing relationships and continue to learn and grow on this journey.

Rose Samaniego, Philip Samaniego, and Roy Pagulayan

Immigrating from the Philippines in the 90s, spouses Rose and Philip Samaniego and long time friend, Roy Pagulayan, only had each other for support. Being so far from everything they knew, the only thing that comforted them were the dishes that transported them back to their nanay’s kitchen.

After many “kumain ka nas” later, their circle grew and so did their love for hosting friends and family over the very dishes that were once the only familiarity in their lives. Rose, Philip and Roy wanted to create an extension of this to cater to the neighbourhoods they made their home. In December 2009, Kulinarya Filipino Eatery’s first location opened in Coquitlam, BC and 10 years later, they opened their second location on Commercial Drive in Vancouver.

Some of their fondest memories were exchanging stories over shared plates with those they love the most. So with Kulinarya, it was important for them to create a homey and comforting space for others to do the same. Rose, Philip and Roy are grateful to share traditional Filipino cuisine with the community alongside the people who have helped make Kulinarya extensions of their homes.

Adina Neufeld

You’re the one people count on—capable, caring, always holding it together. But beneath the surface, anxiety, overwhelm, and the weight of impossible standards can take a toll.

Adina Neufeld is a counsellor who helps women with ADHD untangle the weight of internal expectations and self-doubt, so they can reconnect with what they truly need to feel fulfilled. Many of her clients have spent years adapting—overachieving, meeting cultural or societal norms—while quietly questioning whether it’s ever enough.

Adina’s approach is warm, inclusive and collaborative—rooted in deep respect for how our unique experiences shape our lives. Her counselling practice offers a spot where you can show up exactly as you are—without pressure or judgement.

She is based in Vancouver and offers online therapy across BC. Learn more at portalwellness.ca.

Julay

Julay (they/them/siya) is a queer ritualist who practices handpoke tattoo ceremony, energy healing (reiki/energy liberation support) and holds space in sacred circles, particularly for the queer BIPOC community. They are an anting anting conjurer, tattoo ritual mentor, visual artist and graphic designer. In alignment with their lineage, they are currently studying Hilot, the traditional ancestral medicine of the Philippines, with the Hilot Academy of Binabaylan.

Julay is passionate in supporting, uplifting, and centering queer, non-binary, trans, femme, BIPOC healers, practitioners and creators. They acknowledge and honor that they reside on the unceded Coast Salish traditional territories of the Hul’q’umi’num people, colonially known as Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. In case anyone is curious, they are Pisces sun, Pisces rising, and Sagittarius Moon. For more information or to book with Julay, you are welcome to visit their website at julay.ca.

Andrea Mendoza

After providing physiotherapy treatment to many teens diagnosed with scoliosis and observing their families’ anxiety and frustration with a lack of services, physiotherapist Andrea Mendoza (she/her) launched The ScoliClinic in 2016 as a solo practice dedicated to addressing families’ scoliosis-related physical & emotional needs. Fast forward to present day: with 3 locations in Canada and a team of 20, The ScoliClinic’s reach has broadened beyond early expectations to fill gaps of the medical system, providing high quality scoliosis-specific physiotherapy and massage therapy to kids, teens, and adults.

Blending pragmatic problem-solving with an appreciation for the social and emotional complexities of human interaction, Andrea is very intentional with the growth of The ScoliClinic. She works to create diverse and inclusive clinics, encouraging personal development of staff and clients. Andrea combines her scoliosis training with her enthusiasm for philosophy, business strategy, and healthcare leadership to continually evolve The ScoliClinic’s service to the scoliosis community, aiming to change the landscape of conservative scoliosis management in British Columbia and beyond.

Chadley Abalos

Co-owner, operations, marketing, and designer Chadley Abalos is a Filipino Canadian entrepreneur from Surrey, BC. After graduating high school, Chadley took the unconventional route and worked in retail operations for multiple brands and businesses for two years where he gained multiple skills and knowledge in the industry of sportswear and footwear. After realizing his passion for customer service, business, branding, and footwear, Chadley pursued a marketing entrepreneurship program at BCIT in 2011.

After working for sneaker retail giant Livestock in Vancouver for four years and gaining more experience and building his career and network, Chadley pursued an opportunity to be his own boss and partnered up with his childhood best friend Gino to open Haides, a barbershop and salon located in Surrey in 2016. Now with 20+ staff and recognized as one of the premiere shops in the city, Chadley and Gino have developed and expanded their brand into new areas by way of haides education, an education platform and through Haides daily goods, an in-house design and product line sold online and in store.

Ethel Garcia

Owner of Roots Café Ethel Garcia immigrated to Vancouver, B.C. from the Philippines in the 90s and began her career as a registered nurse. As the oldest sibling in her family, her mission was to bring her family here to Canada and build her own family.

After dedicating 25 years in healthcare, in 2015, Ethel had a severe stroke causing her to lose sensation in her left arm and some parts of her face. During the long journey of therapy, Ethel had a lot of time to really think about what more she could do to give back to her community. She’s always had a passion for serving people and nursing was exactly that—a profession that never stops giving. But since nursing wasn’t an option due to her disability, her daughter, Sarah-Joy, had an idea of looking into owning a franchise or starting their own business.

Months later, they found Roots Cafe for sale in the area their family grew up in. Instead of starting a brand new business they kept what they had but made it into their own. In January 2016 Ethel and Sarah-Joy took over Roots Cafe—a mother-daughter duo who spent countless hours running the business it is today. It’s not your average coffee shop, but you’ll have to go check it out for yourself.

Nathalie De Los Santos

Nathalie De Los Santos (she/they) is a writer and creative. She is one of the festival organizers of the Filipino-Canadian Book Festival. She created @pilipinxpages, a bookstagram featuring Filipinx authors. She has appeared at the Vancouver Writers Fest 2024, PechaKucha, CBC, LiterAsian (2020), TFC, OMNI TV and others. Her publications are in Magdaragat: An Anthology of Filipino-Canadian Writing, Globe and Mail, Emerge: An Anthology, SAD Magazine, ROOTed Rhythms, the National Women’s History Museum, Cold Tea Collective, Sampaguita Press, Ricepaper Magazine and more. She hosts the Filipino Fairy Tales, Mythology and Folklore podcast. Her website is natdls.com.

Veronica Gomes

Veronica Gomes is the founder of Emme Hair, Vancouver’s first hair extension salon. She began her career as a hairstylist in 2004 and very quickly made the salon her second home. When she’s not busy leading her team at the salon, she’s enjoying time with her husband Mark and their 2 beautiful children, Kingston and Naomi. Veronica and her sister Maria opened the doors to their first hair extension salon in 2016 and outgrew the space immediately, which led to the birth of their Kitsilano location in 2018 and Emme Hair Langley at the end of 2020. Their third location in Ladner opened in 2024.

Veronica’s passion for mentoring and teaching other hairstylists is what keeps her motivated to continue to expand her team at Emme Hair. She finds great fulfillment in helping people fall in love with their hair by getting them to their hair goals. Veronica looks forward to continuously growing her company to help more people.

Mark Tagulao

Mark Tagulao draws on his Filipino roots and global culinary influences to create sweets that tell stories and evoke memories. A Food Network Canada competition winner and an accomplished creator known for his work with La Glace Ice Cream and Marked Edible Designs, Mark brings passion, creativity, and heart to every recipe.

Coco Molinillo grew from Mark’s desire to revive forgotten treats—sweets that invite pause, connection, and joy. His approach blends ancestral flavours with contemporary craft, inspired by kitchens and stories from around the world and throughout time. Share the sweet things: cocomolinillo.ca

Charito Kaay

Charito Kaay has 24 years of teaching experience, including as a former instructor at Kwantlen Polytechnique University in the environmental protection technology program. She is also an alumnus of the University of British Columbia with a Bachelors in Bio-Resource Engineering and Masters in Civil Engineering. She was an Environmental Project Manager, overseeing environmental remediation projects relating to contaminated sites within the Lower Mainland and acted as BC Operations Manager for a large national oil and gas company.

With a dedication to manager excellence development in both technical and communication skills in and out of the boardroom, she quickly advanced to Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) during her 10-year career. At that time, she acted as a mentor and supervisor to numerous junior female technical staff, whom she continues to help to flourish in their careers. Charito’s passion is empowering emerging female leaders through learned adaptive communications skills. As a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), she is the recipient of the 2022 Leader Empowering Others (LEO) Award and served as the District Public Relations Manager 2022–2023.

As the lead workshop facilitator at Speak for Success, Charito helps up level communication skills for emerging leaders so they are promoted or hired to their ideal career.

Bernadette Pacana

Bernadette Pacana is a yoga therapist, teacher trainer, plant-based holistic nutritionist, and Reiki practitioner offering an integrative, trauma-informed approach to health and healing. She supports individuals navigating stress, anxiety, chronic conditions, and life transitions through personalized yoga therapy that weaves together mindful movement, breathwork, and energy work.

Each year, she returns to her home island of Cebu to offer yoga teacher trainings—honoring her roots and giving back to the community that shaped her. byogawellness.com

Paolo + Iona Fresnoza

Kapé Philippine Coffee is a social enterprise helping Indigenous women coffee growers in the Philippines thrive and build sustainable livelihoods by promoting their unique coffees to the global stage. Behind this venture are wife and husband team Iona Santos-Fresnoza & Paolo Fresnoza, who met at a café in 2005 and have since brewed countless cups of coffee together. Working closely with native coffee growers in Benguet, Cordillera, Davao Del Sur, and other coffee farming communities in the Philippines, Kapé brings some of the most unique and flavourful coffees from the homeland’s highlands to Canada and beyond.

Kapé aims to highlight the stories behind each cup; honour strong women and families behind great coffee; and make a difference by creating more equitable coffee practices from origin to cup.

Saschie MacLean-Magbanua

Saschie MacLean-Magbanua is the founder of Formation Studio. What started as a therapeutic outlet for her after the loss of her younger sister, Chantal, has evolved into an inspirational and immersive experience that remixes dance, music and movement. She has worked in marketing and public relations for nearly a decade, starting her career at PR agencies in New York City and Vancouver. Her agency experience developed her knowledge across multiple industries as she worked with health and wellness, fashion, technology, real estate, hospitality, and food and beverage consumer brands. At the end of her corporate career she focused on travel and tourism managing media campaigns, relationships and partnerships across North America. In 2017 she was included in BC Business’ 30 Under 30 list.

Malania Dela Cruz

Malania Dela Cruz is a brand partnership and PR expert. With over 15 years spent managing national PR programs for top fashion, lifestyle and cannabis brands, Malania takes a results-driven, entrepreneurial approach to exceeding business objectives.

Malania is a “relationships queen,” with four of her top five strengths falling in the Gallup StrengthsFinder Relationship bucket, maximizing on her empathy and includer strengths to build trust, respect and inclusivity with colleagues and clients. She believes in creating equity for all and is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

As vice president and strategic lead on the senior management team, Malania helps drive Nine Point Agency forward through business development and agency delivery, while focusing on national client relations and strategy. She has spent most of her career managing national PR programs for top fashion and lifestyle brands, and along the way has developed close-knit relationships with journalists, content creators and KOLs across Canada. Malania has also owned and operated her own boutique PR agency, Dela Cruz PR, where she honed her interpersonal skills and entrepreneurial approach to garner a reputation for building unparalleled client satisfaction and loyalty. She also founded LOLO Drink Company, a line of tequila cocktails made with electrolytes.

Ben Castro

Ben Castro (he/they) is a second generation Filipino-Canadian and registered clinical counsellor. They specialize in anger management, codependence, processing trauma, addressing men’s concerns, addiction recovery, and coping with grief. Ben brings extensive experience from diverse professional environments, including anti-oppressive practices, the Downtown Eastside, and a maximum-security psychiatric hospital. He works predominantly with men, seeing their well-being as a key to the well-being of our communities. Ben finds that all men and all their emotions are worthy of being met with dignity, respect, and hope.

April Bellia

April May Bellia is a creative visionary, community leader, connector, mom of 3, and spiritual guide who helps others live happier, feel on purpose, and find their passion for life again. Her energy is magnetic and grounded. As a minister in training for A Course in Miracles and with values rooted in spirit, truth, freedom, and love, April supports those who follow their heart. She provides tools, resources, and opportunities for anyone on a path to true freedom.

With April’s combined love of travel and people, you are sure to receive impeccable attention as she curates the ideal dream holiday for your group. April is a seasoned cruiser of 30 years and is completely obsessed with France and Greece, two places she visits every spring.

Join her “April in Paris” itineraries—she can also be your personal (French speaking) tour guide so you can feel more like a local and less of a tourist. Her specialty is foodie tours, women-focused events and businesses, and interacting with locals as much as possible so you can get a firsthand feel for Parisian culture.

Individuals included in 2021 series

These individuals were in my series in 2021 but not included this year for various reasons.

Abegail Woods

Abey Woods is a strategic advisor and the founder of Gensperity Inc., operating under her personal brand to deliver high-impact clarity and operational strategy to business owners and CEOs. With over 22 years of experience spanning major telecom providers, digital media organizations, and global health technology firms, Abey helps growth-stage businesses align leadership, optimize systems, and scale with intention.

Through her flagship offer, the Scale Clarity Sprint, she guides founders out of operational chaos and into focused, strategy-led growth. Her work integrates deep expertise in operations, marketing technology, and executive reporting—bringing structure, precision, and momentum to every engagement.

All consulting is delivered through Gensperity Inc., with a mission rooted in stewardship, clarity, and long-term scalability. Learn more at abeywoods.com

Crissa Koh

Crissa Koh’s passion for baking started back when she was 8 years old. Growing up in Vancouver, she loved taking the opportunity to practice baking for all her family’s occasions or even just whipping up special treats for a rainy weekend breakfast.

She relocated to Singapore in 2005 to start a family. After working as an engineer in the petrochemical industry for a few years and then happily having one too many kids, she made the leap to start her own baking business: Crissa’s Cake Corner.

Now a mumpreneur of 4 energetic youngsters, she is able to successfully run her home-based business around her kids’ crazy busy schedules. Crissa has an eye for detail, skilled hands and has experience with a wide variety of cake designs. She also makes unique customized desserts ranging from character macarons and hand-cut cookies, to whimsical cupcakes and unique cake pops. She loves making themed desserts for elaborate dessert table set-ups and enjoys bringing flavours of Canada and the Philippines into her creations. Her kids are her biggest fans and they always start planning for their own birthdays, months in advance, every year! Crissa is happy to be doing what she loves and looks forward to the day that she and her family can all live together again in Vancouver.

Dianna David

Dianna David was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She left her job as an engineer to pursue her dream of becoming a performer. She then enrolled in clown school, where she discovered the “special thing” that helps her connect with her audience.

She is the founder of the Red Ball Movement, where she uses expressive therapy to engage her audience and inspire them to follow their own dreams.

During her talks and performances, she combines dance, contact juggling, and storytelling to provide a visually appealing foundation from which to share her story.

Josephine Gonzales

Investment Advisor at CIBC Wood Gundy (CIBC Private Wealth Management) Josephine Gonzales has always embraced her Filipino roots and considers it a key to her success, crediting her culture as the source of her determination and work ethic.

Josephine is one of a few female Investment Advisors both at her firm and in the industry, and is passionate about being a voice for female clients who may want to work with someone who can relate to them, and understands their needs and challenges on a deeper level. Josephine is also an advocate for financial literacy and loves to work with the next generation to help them become stewards of their wealth and carry on their family legacy.

Josephine has just under a decade of experience in the Wealth Management industry and has taken on a few roles within it. She learned the fundamentals of this business from the ground-up through working alongside other highly renowned and successful advisors. This experience awarded her with the knowledge, skillset, and work ethic it takes to run a successful practice, full of happy clients. Through her years in the Wealth Management industry, one thing has always given her life and purpose in her career – good client relationships. Seeing her work have a direct impact on the lives of clients is the greatest reward.

Josephine’s introduction into finance began at a young age as she always had a curiosity about “how money works”. This piqued her interest and honed her focus in post-secondary education, and every job she took on after that. Josephine holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Planning from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Once she started her career in Wealth Management her continuous desire to add to her knowledge and skillset led her to obtain her Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.

Josephine grew up in East Vancouver, and comes from a large, Filipino family who mainly reside in the Greater Vancouver Area. When she is not at the office or spending time with her family and friends, you can find her inside a gym trying the latest and greatest workout as she is an advocate for living a healthy, balanced and full life.

Josephine loves talking to people about personal finance or business in general, so feel free to reach out to her on LinkedIn.

Kei Baritugo

Kei Baritugo is the founder of BoldLove, a purpose-driven PR agency. For the past 17 years, she has worked with innovators and changemakers in the film, social impact, and technology industries. Her agency specializes in public relations, social media and event production, representing clients at high profile events such as the Cannes Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Web Summit, SXSW, Montreal Jazz Festival, the JUNOS, and the Vancouver Olympics, to name a few. Her clients have been featured in The Washington Post, Vogue, NBC News, The Hollywood Reporter, Vice, and more.

She was the Director of Public Relations at the Vancouver International Film Festival’s 37th edition–the first Filipina to hold a leadership role in the organization. In this capacity, she championed Filipino representation by placing filmmakers Kat Jayme (Finding Big Country) and Sean Devlin (When the Storm Fades) on the cover of the Georgia Straight, which was the first time two filmmakers of Filipino descent were highlighted to represent the festival.

Sean Blishen

Kilig Candle Co. is a Vancouver, BC based woman-owned business creating candles that ignite joy, passion, and serenity. Kilig, meaning “the butterflies in your tummy” in Tagalog, is the driving inspiration behind each specially designed scent. Hand-poured in their Vancouver studio, Kilig uses only eco-friendly materials including 100% soy wax, lead and zinc-free cotton wicks, organic and non-toxic fragrance and essential oils, and recyclable glass jars.

Since its birth in January 2020, Kilig Candle Co. has made and sold thousands of candles to date. Founder Sean Blishen, at only 27 years old, sparked Kilig in her parents’ kitchen after her love for all things DIY inspired her to create something new. Eco-friendly candles such as Mahal Kita (“I love you” in Tagalog) and Muni Muni (“reflecting” or “pondering”) are hand-crafted to not only capture and inspire those feelings in a scent, but are a catalyst for change with each purchase. With each candle sold, Kilig donates one meal to a child in need in the Philippines through Canadian non-profit Adhika.

T.J. Almodovar