The 11th Annual Meet the Motivators (MTM) Gala, held on Sunday, June 28th, brought together women leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and community champions for an evening dedicated to celebrating leadership, resilience, and empowerment. Hosted at the Garden Banquet and Convention Centre, the gala followed the MTM Symposium at Sheridan College’s Davis Campus, where participants explored practical strategies for personal and professional success.
Meet the Motivators is the vision of Jacqueline Dixon, Founder and CEO of the Resilient Woman Program. A certified sales professional with more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing, Dixon created the non-profit organization as a platform that celebrates, inspires, and connects women making significant contributions in leadership across diverse sectors. Its mission is to educate, inspire and empower women and girls to pursue leadership roles within their communities and careers.
The audience reflected that vision, with guests representing business, finance, education, healthcare, government, and community organizations. Promotional material for the event described the experience as one where every moment of the evening has been thoughtfully curated to inspire, empower, and celebrate the incredible journeys of women and community to make a lasting impact.
In an interview with Kripa Ananda published in She & Success Business Magazine on June 22nd, 2026, MTM representative Jacqueline Cohen emphasized that the gala extends beyond recognizing achievement. “This gala is about more than recognition,” Cohen said. “It is about celebrating women who are transforming communities, opening doors for others, and creating legacies that inspire future generations.”
She also highlighted the importance of the MTM Symposium, explaining that its workshops help women build confidence and practical skills in areas including financial literacy, leadership, mental health, networking, and business development.
The symposium featured eight interactive workshops led by experienced professionals:
Networking Like a Boss — Svetlana Ratnikova, Founder and CEO of Immigrant in Business.
The Power of First Impressions — Lorna Kennedy Murray, certified etiquette, image, and marriage wellness coach.
Money, Power and Peace — Sue-Ann Baksn, financial professional, mentor, and advocate.
Visibility Isn’t a Solo Sport — Marketing consultant Shearer “Bark” Benjamin.
Women’s Mental Health — Author and life coach Fatima Gould.
Elevating the Experience — International customer experience expert Sharifa Manning.
Selling Is Better Than Sex — Jacqueline Dixon.
Cashflow, Chaos & Clients — Dr. Natasha Bridgmohan, Founder and President of The BridgGroup of Companies.
The gala also featured live entertainment by vocalist Jay Harmony, whose soulful performance energized the audience, and Second Native Performance, which presented Indigenous storytelling and cultural traditions through dance.
Several accomplished women also addressed attendees, including Dr. Natasha Bridgmohan, Founder and President of The BridgGroup of Companies and Founder of the Canadian Changing Lives Foundation National Charity; Emmy Award-winning television personality Patricia Jaggernauth; and entrepreneur Emily O’Brien, Founder of Comeback Snacks.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Tracy Moore. Best known as the longtime host of Cityline, Moore spent 16 years leading one of Canada’s most recognized daytime television programs. She also co-produced and co-hosted the Citytv special Ending Racism: What Will It Take? helping to advance important conversations about equity and inclusion.
The event generated enthusiastic responses across social media. Writing on Facebook following the gala, Rich Mill described the evening as “An incredible night filled with delicious food, amazing entertainment, and the chance to connect with so many inspiring people.”
He added that events such as Meet the Motivators demonstrate “The power of community and the importance of coming together to celebrate, support one another, and build meaningful relationships.”
As Meet the Motivators continues to grow, the organization remains committed to equipping women with the knowledge, confidence, and connections needed to lead in their professions and communities while inspiring the next generation of changemakers.
For more information about Meet the Motivators, visit meetthemotivators.com.
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