Building Economies: The Influence of Women Entrepreneurs

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, host Shannon Pestun is joined by Dr. Wendy Cukier, one of Canada’s leading voices in entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusion, for a timely conversation about what women entrepreneurs need to know as they head into a new year. Together, they unpack the data, research, and real world insights shaping the future of women owned businesses across the country.Dr. Wendy Cukier is a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Ted Rogers School of Management, the Founder and Academic Director of the Diversity Institute and the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, and the Academic Research Director of the Future Skills Centre. She has spent decades working at the intersection of research, policy, and practice, leading national initiatives that influence how entrepreneurship is supported in Canada. Wendy is the co author of the bestselling book Innovation Nation: Canadian Leadership from Java to Jurassic Park and has published more than 200 works focused on innovation, disruptive technologies, and inclusive growth.The conversation centres on Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, launched in 2018, and the role of the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub in collecting and analyzing data on the acceleration, opportunities, and barriers facing women entrepreneurs. Wendy shares key findings from the 2025 State of Women’s Entrepreneurship report and offers insight into what women across Canada should be aware of as they start and grow their businesses.Shannon and Wendy also explore how women can become more involved in shaping the entrepreneurial ecosystem and highlight projects currently moving forward to support women entrepreneurs and strengthen access to resources. While acknowledging that women continue to face fundamental barriers, this episode reflects the progress that is being made and the momentum building across the country. With continued advocacy, collaboration, and confidence in their business acumen, women are driving meaningful change.WebsitesWomen Entrepreneurship Knowledge HubDiversity InstituteFuture Skills CentreReportsThe State of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Canada: 2025Barriers and Enablers of Northern Businesses and EntrepreneurshipMindFrame ConnectGreenification of SMEs: Green Skills Competency FrameworkBridging the AI Gap in SMEs in CanadaArticleWho will build it? WEKH founder Dr. Wendy Cukier makes the case for a gender lens on Canada’s to-do listAI Skills Development OpportunitiesAI Competency Framework: DI has developed a competency framework for AI skills across disciplines and levels and sectors with a focus on small and medium organizations.DI delivers AI training through its work-integrated learning programs including: ADaPT for Black Youth: supports Black youth aged 15 to 29 across Ontario to develop skills for success, including those to build digital and professional competencies and help secure work. Program training includes a strong focus on AI. Newcomer Employment and Entrepreneurship Skills Hub (NEESH): NEESH is a skills development and work placement program for newcomers in the Greater Toronto Area that provides training in critical in-demand job skills, including AI, and wraparound supports to help newcomers build their essential skills, improve their employment readiness and connect them to employers with opportunities to access paid work placement. Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub (WE-Hub) is a skills-based training program designed to support women entrepreneurs in the Greater Toronto Area. WE-Hub provides participants with over 40 hours of entrepreneurship training led by industry professionals, business mentorship, access to networking opportunities, low-risk market testing and information and referrals as needed.Useful AI ToolsChatGPT: Microsoft CoPilot: Google NotebookLM: Grammarly: Notion AI: Otter.ai: Jasper Rippling: Storydoc: Runway: