WEOC Team
Victoria Lennox
CEO
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Victoria Lennox is a national leader in entrepreneurship, innovation, and public policy. As the founder of Startup Canada, she helped shape Canada’s innovation landscape, building organizations that continue to empower entrepreneurs across Canada and globally.
Victoria Lennox
CEO
she/her/elle
Victoria Lennox is a national leader in entrepreneurship, innovation, and public policy. As the founder of Startup Canada, she helped shape Canada’s innovation landscape, building organizations that continue to empower entrepreneurs across Canada and globally.
She has built and led multiple national and international organizations, championed women’s leadership and Indigenous economic development, and represented Canada on state visits and global summits. Recognized with the Meritorious Service Medal, the APEC Women Icon Award, and the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion, Victoria is a trusted institution builder and advocate for inclusive economic growth.
Bruno Berto
Managing Director
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An experienced operations and project management professional, Bruno brings an innate sense of curiosity and keen problem-solving abilities to his work, which has included managing projects for multinational organizations in 14 countries.
FAVE WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS: Grape Witches Wine Boutique, Toronto
Heather Sadowy
Loans Director
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Heather Sadowy is the manager of the WEOC National Loan Program, launched in late 2022. Heather and her team have purposefully designed the loan program to be accessible to women that may have a harder time accessing traditional financing, and the program ensures that women are supported not just in applying for a loan, but throughout the loan term and beyond.
Heather Sadowy
Loans Director
she/her/elle
Heather Sadowy is the manager of the WEOC National Loan Program, launched in late 2022. Heather and her team have purposefully designed the loan program to be accessible to women that may have a harder time accessing traditional financing, and the program ensures that women are supported not just in applying for a loan, but throughout the loan term and beyond.
Prior to working with WEOC, Heather spent 18 years with a MB Credit Union, working mostly with small businesses and non-profit organizations which has given her a strong foundation in business financing and an understanding of the unique challenges faced by women in entrepreneurship.
Tanis Russell
Finance & Accounting Specialist
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Tanis is an accounting specialist, with experience in land development and home rental.
Tanis Russell
Finance & Accounting Specialist
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Tanis is an accounting specialist, with experience in land development and home rental.
With over 20 years of entrepreneurial and finance experience, Tanis brings both expertise and passion to her work and the team. Driven and dedicated, she delivers exceptional results with care and professionalism, while valuing collaboration and building relationships that make a lasting impact.
Favourite Woman-Owned Business: The Sapphire Hair Lounge
Laura Vasquez
Loans & Data Specialist
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Laura is a banking professional, holding a postgraduate degree in Financial Services – Investigation and Compliance and extensive experience in financial services. She is committed to upholding the highest standards of Compliance and client service.
Obashola Dele-Oni
Senior Loans Specialist
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Obashola is an accomplished SME Investment executive with over 16 years’ experience in the Financial Services and SME Industry. Her experience in the Industry spans Relationship Management, SME Financing, Financial Advisory and Business Support Services.
Obashola Dele-Oni
Senior Loans Specialist
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Obashola is an accomplished SME Investment executive with over 16 years’ experience in the Financial Services and SME Industry. Her experience in the Industry spans Relationship Management, SME Financing, Financial Advisory and Business Support Services.
She has successfully delivered on multi-industry transactions leveraging on her Leadership & People Management skills. Obashola is also a Gender Lens expert which involves educating and supporting female entrepreneurs on financial products. She is also an ardent public speaker.Prior to arriving Canada, Obashola worked as an Investment Manager with GroFin Nigeria – a specialist impact-driven financial institution that helps entrepreneurs succeed by providing them expert advice, continuous guidance, and financing to grow their businesses. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the prestigious Business School of Netherlands, a Masters in Public and International Affairs from the University of Lagos and bachelors degree from the University Of Ibadan, Nigeria. She is also an accredited Small Business Consultant (ASMEC). Obashola was also a volunteer mentor in the Women In Africa (WIA) 2022 mentorship program.
Natasha Hope Morano
Government Relations Advisor
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Natasha Morano is a recognized leader in government relations and public affairs, dedicated to advancing inclusive economic growth across Canada. Natasha has built a stellar reputation for navigating policy complexity, shaping meaningful dialogue, and bridging connections between government, industry, and the next generation of policy leaders.
Natasha Hope Morano
Government Relations Advisor
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Natasha Morano is a recognized leader in government relations and public affairs, dedicated to advancing inclusive economic growth across Canada. Natasha has built a stellar reputation for navigating policy complexity, shaping meaningful dialogue, and bridging connections between government, industry, and the next generation of policy leaders.
A strong communicator and collaborative team member, At WEOC, Natasha serves as the Government Relations Advisor, strengthening the organization’s presence in Ottawa and deepening its role as a trusted partner in federal economic strategies. She ensures that the voices, ambitions, and potential of women entrepreneurs are carried forward with clarity, credibility, and purpose at the highest levels of government.
Chaela G. Kindness
Administrative & Marketing Specialist
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Chaela Grace Kindness has spent her career working directly within Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Based in Ottawa, she has several years of hands-on experience running multiple local businesses—including a budding social enterprise—and has supported marketing and community initiatives for organizations like Startup Canada, the Downtown Rideau BIA, and Algonquin College.
Amber Coville
Loans Program Manager
Amber brings experience in lending, economic development, business advisory, and the delivery of federally funded programs for SMEs. Based in Eastern Ontario, she has previously managed a multi-million dollar loan fund, grant programs, and supported entrepreneurs through strategic initiatives, partnerships and entrepreneurial ecosystem development. At WEOC Amber is focussed on the long-term success and support of loan recipients throughout the life of their loan.
Shayleah Funk
Digital Specialist
Enthusiastic and cheery, Shayleah’s ability to cultivate strong relationships has helped her build a decade-long career in communications and project coordination, most significantly within the print industry. She loves solving puzzles and helping people find unique solutions to challenges.
Natalie Robertson
Contract Loan Assessor
Natalie brings business lending experience from both customer-facing and head office roles. Prior to joining WEOC, Natalie worked for over 10 years at TD Bank, building expertise in commercial lending as well as product and risk management.
Isabel Jadotte
Loans Specialist
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Isabel Jadotte is passionate about entrepreneurship and management. With more than 8 years of consulting experience, she has helped numerous entrepreneurs launch their businesses in Canada and abroad.
FAVE WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS: Fitabella, Montreal
An MBA graduate of the University of Sherbrooke in Canada, and a bachelor in marketing from University of Quebec in Montreal, Isabel has worked in many fields such as telecommunications, non-for profit and the federal government. She wears many hats: strategic consultant, freelancer and employee in a women’s organization.Before joining WEOC, Isabel worked in as a business developer and coach for various organization in Ontario. Always passionate about the success of businesses, especially women owned businesses in Canada.
Victoria Guimarães
Client Success & Loan Portfolio Specialist
Victoria G is passionate about supporting women entrepreneurs and helping them navigate the realities of business ownership. With a background in marketing and business development, she has worked alongside hundreds of entrepreneurs, helping them access resources, refine their business strategies, and pursue growth opportunities. Victoria has supported more than 200 entrepreneurs and contributed to the development of programs and initiatives designed to empower newcomer women entrepreneurs and strengthen local business communities in the Durham Region, ON.
Marisa Dube
Contract Loan Assessor
Marissa Dubé is a First Nations Algonquin/Mohawk entrepreneur from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg / Kahnawake. As a creative force, professional makeup artist, and multi-passionate business owner, Marissa has navigated the entire spectrum of building authentic brands—from handcrafted product design and community market curation to global retail distribution.