Superior service with style and integrity
WOMEN in Business
IN CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
There is the important “bottom line” to attend to, but as the glue that enables their businesses to flourish, these women consistently define success using terms like family, service, and community. Whether they are providing exceptional and delicious food and drink, or guiding folks to adventure and discovery through the arts or tourism, their satisfaction comes from making a difference. Sharing their advice, their wisdom, their stories, is both a tribute to these women and instruction for the rest of us.
We’re here thanks to the trailblazers before us — and for the generations still to come.
COLLEEN CRUNICAN
TRACIE AARTS
Old North Sconery & Market
For Tracie Aarts, Old North Sconery & Market is deeply personal. It is a business built on family traditions, shared kitchens and recipes passed down on handwritten cards. “This is personal for me. It’s my name on everything, and I want it to mean something,” she says.
Tracie loves creating food that brings people together and cultivating a workplace where her staff’s joy and energy flow directly to customers. Each day offers something new, a blend of creativity and challenge that she embraces wholeheartedly.
She encourages women to research, pivot when needed and take one small step at a time on overwhelming days. Inspired by the values of the women who baked before her, as well as by love, laughter and full bellies, Tracie pours heart into every batch.
Outside the shop, she dreams of a small farm filled with furry friends. • oldnorthsconery.ca
CATHERINE BRADBURY
Wild Birds Unlimited
Catherine Bradbury is the owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, a beloved backyard birding store that has been part of the London community for more than 30 years.
Three years into ownership, Catherine has transformed the shop into a hub for nature lovers, where education, connection and conservation matter as much as sales. Retired from a previous career before purchasing the business, Catherine saw the opportunity as a perfect blend of her lifelong love of birding and her professional experience, despite having no retail background.
What she loves most is sharing knowledge of local birds, building community, and doing business with heart rather than focusing solely on the bottom line. Her advice to women: find your people, take the risk and don’t be afraid to shape an industry without reshaping yourself. • london.wbu.com
NATALIE CHAPMAN
David’s Bistro
For Natalie Chapman, the true heart of David’s Bistro has always been the people. After spending 27 years with the restaurant, including the past four as owner, she has witnessed countless milestones unfold across its tables, from first dates and anniversaries to family meals and quiet nights when someone simply didn’t want to cook. What began as a part‑time job grew naturally into a lifelong passion, inspired by her father and rooted in genuine connection.
Natalie believes success in the restaurant industry comes from surrounding yourself with good people and building a strong, supportive team. “With the right village anything is possible,” she says, noting that no one can do everything alone, and a shared sense of care and responsibility lifts everyone. For her, hospitality is about creating memories, one plate at a time. • davidsbistro.ca
SUE CLARKE
Middlesex County
For Sue Clarke, leadership is about showing up for people and helping communities thrive. Serving as Warden of Middlesex County and Mayor of the Township of Adelaide Metcalfe, she is motivated by the opportunity to turn longterm plans into real, positive change for residents. First elected in 2018, Sue values municipal government for its close connection to everyday life and the immediate impact thoughtful leadership can have.
She encourages women to trust their perspectives, stay curious and step forward when opportunities arise, noting that leadership comes in many forms. Inspired by a lifelong commitment to community service, Sue has supported numerous boards and initiatives that strengthen the region.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, relaxing on the farm, and unwinding with a good book or movie. • middlesex.ca
COLLEEN CRUNICAN
Generations Cider Co.
As co-owner of Generations Cider Co., Colleen Crunican brings heart, storytelling, and community spirit to the hard cider brand she runs with her brother, Gregory. Since launching in March 2023, she’s focused on sales, marketing and customer experience, roles that let her connect with customers, colleagues and supporters who share her family’s vision.
Investing in the business felt like a natural extension of her lifelong ties to Crunican Orchards and her love of sharing family stories in fresh, meaningful ways.
Colleen encourages women in the industry to build relationships and lean on the power of community. Outside the cider world, she loves the outdoors, spontaneous travel, and spending time with loved ones. “We’re here thanks to the trailblazers before us — and for the generations still to come,” she says.
• generationsciderco.ca
• crunicanorchards.com
GRACE DEKKER
Ipperwash Beach Club
Grace Dekker took a leap of faith jumping into the restaurant business with her husband Jim in 2016. “There was nothing in Ipperwash that drew people together.” Ipperwash Beach Club was created to fill that void. Grace says décor, menu and staffing decisions were made to establish a homey, welcoming atmosphere.
“When people move into the area, they ask about where to shop, where to find a plumber, carpenter or landscaper,” she says. “I’m a conduit, sharing ideas and information.” Those relationships came full circle when Grace faced a cancer scare in 2022. “The entire community came forward for me,” she says. “Had Ipperwash Beach Club not been here, I would not have had such invaluable support.”
After that initial leap of faith, Dekker says she “never looked back” and is so pleased that the restaurant is now a Cheers-like hub “where everybody knows your name.”
I want people to walk through my doors and feel something, not just shop, but have an experience.”
MELISSA TILLER
JAIME DEMERS
Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards
For winemaker Jaime Demers, creativity, science and storytelling come together in every bottle. After nearly 15 years in engineering, Jaime made a bold pivot toward a career that better reflected her passions. Six years into the wine industry, four in winemaking, she thrives in the fast pace of harvest and the deep camaraderie that defines the profession.
Originally from Windsor, Jaime returned home after several years in Napa Valley, drawn by Cooper’s Hawk’s reputation and the chance to build a long-term future in a region that feels right. She encourages women to trust their instincts, speak up and keep learning, especially in male-dominated spaces.
An avid hiker and backpacker, Jaime once completed a solo 28-day trek through the Sierra Nevada, an experience that strengthened her confidence to take on any challenge, in wine and in life.
LILIANA HERNANDEZ-OLIVA
Blackfriars Bistro & Catering
Liliana Hernandez-Oliva was born in Acapulco, Mexico, where she attended CONALEP Hotelería y Gastronomía, the equivalent of the Culinary Arts program at Fanshawe College. When she arrived in Canada, she apprenticed with a French chef in Montreal before moving to London and attending the Food and Beverage Program at Wheable Secondary School, under the tutelage of instructor Debbie Murray.
Liliana has cooked in various high-end environments — including The River Room, North Moore Catering and The Springs Restaurant — and exhibits an encyclopaedic grasp of gastronomy. “I love the creative aspect of cooking,” she says. “Every day is a new opportunity to express my skills and pass on my culinary knowledge.”
As chef de partie at Blackfriars Bistro for the past four years, Liliana has been specializing in soups, sauces, salad dressings and some desserts. The common denominator, she says: “Flavour.”
CRYSTAL HOWE
Ice River Sustainable Solutions • The Utopia Market
For Crystal Howe, sustainability is more than a career; it’s a commitment she lives every day. As Vice President of Sustainability and Government Relations at Ice River Sustainable Solutions, she believes business plays a role in driving sustainable change.
With a background in organic farming and a passion for purpose-driven business, Crystal drives sustainability best practices across her organization while advancing circular economy solutions. She collaborates with government and non-government groups to promote environmental action and responsible industry advancement.
Crystal challenges the status quo, encouraging women to join the conversation, and back their opinions with facts and science. She cuts through the myth of perfection, reminding women success isn’t flawless balance — it’s showing up and doing your best.
Crystal is a visionary leader driving meaningful change for people and the planet, and a dedicated mother of two, living rurally with her boys on her active farm.
• iceriversustainablesolutions.com
• theutopiamarket.com
BUFFY ILLINGWORTH
The Ashborne Café
Buffy Illingworth has shaped The Ashborne Café in Stratford into a haven of nourishment, intention and quiet beauty. With a background in design and wellness, she oversees everything from recipe creation and sourcing to brand vision and the guest experience. For Buffy, food is a grounding force, something that can comfort, restore and make people feel genuinely cared for.
Her advice to women entering the industry is to trust their instincts and build at a sustainable pace, valuing integrity and consistency over perfection. She encourages women to remember that meaningful work often grows slowly, shaped by patience and presence.
Inspired by nature and seasonal rhythms, Buffy infuses Ashborne with a warm, intentional energy that reflects how she lives, and how she believes community spaces should feel.
• @theashbornecafe
PATTI LAUZON
Windsor Symphony Orchestra
For Patti Lauzon, the heart of her work at the Windsor Symphony Orchestra is beautifully simple. It is the music. As Executive Director for the past two years, supported by more than 20 years in nonprofit management, communications and fundraising, Patti finds deep joy in experiencing the WSO’s artistry. She also values the people who surround the orchestra, including musicians, staff, board members, volunteers and donors who share a love for its mission.
Patti encourages women to keep learning and to claim their place at every table. She believes that timing looks different for everyone and that understanding personal priorities is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
She warmly invites the community to experience the uplifting energy of a live WSO performance at Windsor’s Capitol Theatre.
JODIE MARSHALL
Marshall’s Pasta
Jodie and Blake Marshall’s love of fresh pasta launched Marshall’s Pasta about 30 years ago. “We were hooked on fresh pasta and couldn’t find any, so we decided to make our own,” says Jodie. As a busy mother of four daughters, she wanted food “made from scratch, nothing fried.”
Today, the business provides nutritious food for schools, sports teams and families. “We are one of the largest providers of school lunches in London.” Marshall’s also cater to local teams, those competing in the area, and those on their way to other cities that pick up meals for the road.
“It’s important to make money but not just for yourself. It’s important to have compassion,” Jodie says, citing several organizations that they support.
STEPHANIE METZGER
Metzger Meats
“There is a place for everyone in this industry,” says Stephanie Metzger, who encourages women to explore the many opportunities in food production, from business management to logistics and quality control. A key player in her family’s business, Stephanie has been immersed in the industry since childhood, working evenings and weekends before deciding to work in it full-time after college. Now specializing in customer relations and wholesale, she also lends a hand in retail, administration, and packaging.
“I love the hands-on nature of my work,” says Stephanie, “and the sense of pride in knowing we’re feeding communities with high quality products.”
Passionate about staying active, Stephanie enjoys long walks, the gym, and — most of all — spending time with her husband and children, creating lasting memories together.
KIRSTEN OSTERBACK
The Tea Lounge • BeTeas
At The Tea Lounge, Kirsten Osterback believes hospitality starts with curiosity. As owner, her favourite part of the day is meeting new people and learning about the ones who cross her threshold, because connection, she says, is the heart of great service.
In addition to running The Tea Lounge, Kirsten is also the owner of BeTeas — sold at The Market at Western Fair — the specialty tea brand behind the more than 100 teas offered at the Lounge. Born and raised in London, Kirsten is proud to offer a warm, genuine space rooted in quality tea, thoughtful food and individual care.
Just one year in, she’s energized by contributing to downtown London’s vibrant food scene. Her advice to women in hospitality is simple: invest in people, stay kind to yourself and remember that growth often takes longer than planned but it’s always worth it.
• tealoungelondon.com • beteas.com
TERESA PHILLIPS
Artist, Grand Bend Art Centre
For Teresa Phillips, creativity isn’t confined to canvas, it’s a way of living. A practicing artist for more than 30 years and the cofounder (with husband Peter Phillips) of the Grand Bend Art Centre, she believes art bridges the space between what is and what could be. “Life is a work of art,” she says, a philosophy shaping both her creative practice and leadership.
She draws inspiration through travels with her husband and finds joy in cooking. Teresa’s path into art feels destined rather than chosen, nurtured by a community of generous artists who helped her grow and belong. That sense of connection drives her to carve out space for future artists, knowing no one succeeds alone.
Teresa’s advice to women is honest and practical: smile, stay flexible, build a thick skin and surround yourself with great people.
VANESSA PILLON
Wolfhead Distillery
For Vanessa Pillon, distilling is where science meets creativity. As head distiller, Vanessa oversees everything from production and blending to quality analysis and innovation. With a background in chemistry and 10 years in the brewing and distilling industry, Vanessa is fueled by the challenge of balancing precise fermentation science with the artistry of crafting unique, expressive spirits.
She thrives in Wolfhead’s collaborative environment and values being part of a smaller, close-knit craft distilling community. Vanessa encourages women entering male-dominated industries to find likeminded support, crediting the Pink Boots Society for connection, education and confidence. She believes underestimation can be powerful motivation. “Let it fuel you,” she says, “and prove them wrong.”
Outside of the distillery, Vanessa can be found outdoors with her beloved dog, curling in winter, or playing softball in the summer.
CAROLE SCELI
The Market at Western Fair District
For Carole Sceli, The Market at Western Fair District is more than a workplace, it is a community she has long cherished. After 25 years in global publishing, she chose not just a new role but a new way of living, shifting her skills toward something deeply local and meaningful.
As Business Development Manager, Carole loves connecting small businesses with the shoppers and organizations that support them. A longtime market customer herself, she was drawn to its unique ability to bring people together, vendors helping vendors, customers discovering local makers, and community groups finding a platform to share their work.
Inspired by the many women who run market shops, she encourages entrepreneurs to seek support, do their homework and remember to care for themselves along the way.
MELISSA TILLER
Blue Hens Markets
Melissa Tiller has built her business around stories, both the ones she curates and the ones she hears. Founded in 2018 as a travelling market, Blue Hens transformed in 2022 when she purchased an historic 1895 Presbyterian church in Bryanston, creating a uniquely immersive space where antiques and home décor come alive with intention.
Melissa’s journey was inspired by her time in the U.S., where she discovered collaborative antique events that sparked her dream of building something equally meaningful. She loves the connections she’s formed along the way.
“I want people to walk through my doors and feel something, not just shop, but have an experience,” she says. Her advice to women in business: be ready to pivot, collaborate boldly and embrace the beauty of change.
VANESSA WILLIS
The Church Key Bistro-Pub
Step into The Church Key Bistro-Pub on any given day and you’ll find Vanessa Willis in her element — mid-conversation, mid-connection, fully immersed in the energy of the room. As owner and operator, Vanessa thrives on the constant exchange that defines hospitality: dozens of conversations each day with customers, staff and suppliers, all offering different viewpoints and stories.
After more than 30 years in the restaurant industry, she still loves that no two days are ever the same. What began as a part-time job while she searched for something “more” evolved into a career that brought her immediate happiness and lasting fulfillment. Vanessa created The Church Key with a vision of a pub that felt especially welcoming to women — filling a space she felt was missing in London’s dining scene — and building a community as much as a business.
“I love the hands-on nature of my work, and the sense of pride in knowing we’re feeding communities with high quality products.”
— STEPHANIE METZGER
