Anna Olson
Anna Olson is Canada’s baking sweetheart and an accomplished savoury chef. As the host of Food Network’s Bake with Anna Olson, Fresh with Anna Olson, and Sugar, Anna has earned a loyal following in over 190 countries. She continues to expand her audience through her YouTube channel, Oh Yum with Anna Olson, which has over 1.39 million subscribers.
In addition to hosting her own television shows, Anna has been the co-host and judge on Great Chocolate Showdown and Junior Chef Showdown. In 2018, she joined Iron Chef Canada’s special holiday baking episode as their Iron Chef, where she was victorious against her competitor.
Using food as her creative medium, recipe development is one of Anna’s greatest accomplishments. She is the author of 11 bestselling cookbooks, including her latest, Set for the Holidays and Baking Day with Anna Olson, which won the Gold Medal at the Taste Canada Cookbook Awards.
Presented by:
Zibby Allen
Zibby Allen is an accomplished actor, writer, producer, and musician known for her versatile work across various media, including television, film, and podcasting. She currently stars as Brie Sheridan in the Netflix series Virgin River, which is in its sixth season.
Zibby began her career in theater, training at the American Conservatory Theatre and Steppenwolf West. Some of her television credits include notable roles in Grey’s Anatomy, A.N.T. Farm, Nancy Drew, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and The Exorcist (FOX).
As a producer, Zibby has made significant contributions to various projects. She organized a celebrity-driven 24-hour theater fundraising event for The Baby Dragon Fund, supporting programs at the Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Center. She also co-created, co-wrote, and starred in the indie film The Living Worst, and co-created and produced the acclaimed true crime podcast Small Town Dicks.
Currently, Zibby co-hosts the podcast I Like You Very Much with her Virgin River co-star Alexandra Breckenridge, featuring candid conversations with their castmates.
Originally from San Francisco, Zibby now divides her time between Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Scotland, where she met her husband.
Erin Berykto aka @theknottygarden
Erin Berkyto is a passionate gardener with over a decade of experience cultivating her urban oasis nestled in the Fraser Valley. Specializing in sustainable gardening practices, Erin has transformed her backyard into a bountiful kitchen garden and micro-orchard. Her garden is also a certified wildlife habitat, harmoniously coexisting with the flora and fauna of the region.
Her expertise extends beyond the garden gates; armed with a Masters of Science degree and a background as a former allied health professional, Erin brings a unique perspective to her horticultural pursuits. With a commitment to organic methods, she grows an abundance of fresh produce year-round, providing food for her family straight from her suburban yard.
Erin’s journey in gardening is not just about cultivating plants; it’s a holistic approach to living in harmony with nature, fostering biodiversity, and nurturing both body and soul. Through her writing and community outreach, she aims to inspire others to embark on their own green journey towards a more sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle.
Kim Vopni aka The Vagina Coach
Kim Vopni is a personal trainer and menopause support practitioner known as The Vagina Coach. She became passionate about spreading information on pelvic health after the birth of her first child over 20 years ago.
Kim is a passionate speaker, a women’s health educator and the author of 3 books.
She began her work with the prenatal and postpartum population where she founded her own business and co-founded a 2nd company called Bellies Inc. She now works primarily with women in the perimenopause and post menopause phases of life. Her Buff Muff Membership is an ever-growing community where people from around the world find support through her workouts, challenges and group coaching.
Kim also certifies other fitness and movement professionals to work with women with core and pelvic floor challenges.
You can find her on-line through her podcast Between Two Lips, her website at www.vaginacoach.com and on social media @vaginacoach
Kimberlea Masters
Kimberlea Masters is a single mom of 3, a survivor and a successful entrepreneur.
She has overcome addiction to drugs and alcohol, domestic violence and many other challenges to become a strong advocate for change within her community through her business RECVRD Candle Co.
In addition to her candle line, Kim does extensive work in the recovery community and is a respected speaker on overcoming addiction and domestic violence. Kim decided to be the person she needed to see when she was struggling in an effort to make her mess her message and show others that change is possible and there is hope in the darkness. She strongly believes in the power of business and philanthropy to work together to attain sustainable change within the community.
Dr. Shahana Alibhai
Dr. Shahana Alibhai is a TEDx speaker, family physician, and mental health advocate. She has worked with a multitude of organizations, including the University of British Columbia, Scotiabank, Takeda, and Yale University, to help audiences gain more clarity into their mental health. She has worked with accountants, engineers, physicians, and government organizations, instilling the message that your emotional health is directly tied to your mental health.
Her podcasts are heard internationally, and she has volunteered her time by speaking to improve mental health in developing countries such as Let’s Talk Nepal. As a lead physician at one of British Columbia’s largest youth health centres, much of Dr. Shahana’s career is focused on those struggling with their mental health.
Her insights are highly sought after, and she has been featured in multiple major media outlets, including CTV and Global. She is best known for her “Emotional Literacy for Better Mental Health” TEDx talk and as a panelist at International Women’s Day. She has served on the UBC Faculty of Medicine Residency training program and is currently a national accreditor for the College of Canadian Family Physicians. Dr. Shahana’s debut book, “Feel Better,” will be released in September 2024.
Phalak Betab
Phalak Betab is a dynamic force in the realm of community service and storytelling, currently serving as the Marketing, Communications, and Fundraising Officer at the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS)—the largest non-profit organization in Canada dedicated to supporting the South Asian community. Her unwavering commitment to PICS and her pivotal role in the Guru Nanak Diversity Village Project, a long-term care facility for seniors, have earned her immense gratitude and respect from the community.
As the founder of the inspiring video podcast “Stranger Story,” Phalak brings extraordinary tales of everyday individuals to life, aiming to uplift and motivate those navigating the digital landscape. With over a decade of experience in media and marketing, she’s renowned for her positive messaging and engaging presence on social media.
Her contributions have not gone unnoticed; she has received accolades such as Best Personality at the Calgary Pageants and was recognized as one of the top 15 women breaking barriers in Drishti magazine. Phalak’s writings have graced both national and international platforms, including the BBC, Darpan Magazine, Times of India, and Times of Canada, further amplifying her impact. With a blend of passion, creativity, and a heart for service, Phalak Betab continues to inspire and empower, proving that the extraordinary often lies within the stories of ordinary people.