Women in Business Breakfast 2025

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Name: Women in Business Breakfast 2025
Date: March 7, 2025
Time: 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST
Registration: Register Now
Event Description:


Join the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce for The Difference Makers: Women in Business Breakfast on March 7th (in celebration on International Women's Day) with registration opening at 7:30am and the event proceeding from 8:00am - 9:30am at the Water Tower Inn! The event will feature a panel discussion with local business and professional women from a variety of industries who will share experiences, success stories and advice to help inspire and support business women in Sault Ste. Marie. As well, the ATHENA Leadership Award will be presented at the event.
 

Meet our Panelists

Laura Devoni
 
Laura has been with Algoma Steel Inc. for 21 years. She began her management career in Marketing before transitioning to roles in Trade and Economics, Government Affairs, and Environment. These experiences led to her current position as Director of Human Resources and Corporate Affairs. Laura is actively involved with the Decarbonization Leaders Network, the Association of Women in the Metals Industries, the Metal Service Center Institute, and Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. She also serves on the Climate and Trade Committees of the Canadian Steel Producers Association.



Sheri-Ann Morin
 

Sheri-Ann’s journey is a testament to resilience, ambition, and unwavering determination. In the early 1990’s, when society overlooked and underestimated teenage mothers, she found herself facing an uphill battle. At Just 17 she became a single mother, navigating a world that offered little support and even less recognition for young women.



Determined to create a better future for herself and her daughter. Sheri refused to let the stigma define her. In a society that was not geared to young mothers she had to find creative ways and a road less travelled to complete even just her high school. Despite financial and emotional hardships, she graduated with honors.

 

While raising her child, she pursued college and started her first business at the age of 20. She balanced the weight of responsibility with an unshakable drive. Refusing to let the world dictate her limitations.

 

In a time when equity for young mothers was neither recognized nor prioritized, Sheri-Ann Morin became a force for change. She proved that being a teenage mother did not mean the end of success; it was simply the beginning of a different kind of journey. Today, she is a respected entrepreneur and advocate for vulnerable people, she has spearheaded a not-for-profit aiming to break isolation and intergenerational boundaries, on top of this, she and her daughter are excitedly launching a tech company this month!
 

Sheri-Ann is the proud mother of two beautiful girls to whom she has instilled the values of resilience and determination. Her journey exemplifies that with perseverance and creativity, one can overcome societal barriers and achieve success while making a positive impact on the community.
 

Francine Floreani
 

Since the beginning of her auto career in a small outdated dealership to the new, large and modern present location, Francine has brought on a new spin to the car buying experience for her customers. Being the only local female car dealer in a normally male-dominated business, she knows exactly what it’s like to overcome challenges.

 

Francine started her business career in her husband’s orthodontic practice as the office manager/partner and acquired over 20 years of management and customer service. In 2012, when the opportunity presented itself for her to run the local Honda dealership, Great Lakes Honda, she jumped in with enthusiasm. Whether buying braces for your kids or buying a new car, she saw this opportunity as a way of making people smile!

 

Great Lakes Honda sells new and pre-owned vehicles as well as motorcycles, ATV’s, Side by Sides and power equipment such as lawn movers, snow blowers, marine motors and generators.

 

In 2018, she acquired another business, Our Driving School. In 2019, she built a brand new, state-of-the art classroom and office facility for teaching Beginner Driver Education and other services.  She brings her excellent skills of customer service along with her values on transparency and community involvement. She is a strong supporter of many local causes and often refers herself as an “active” supporter rather than a “cheque” writer. She serves on 4 different local non-profit organizations, sits on the board for the Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario and is a member of HDAT, Honda’s Dealer Advisory Team.

Meet Our Moderator:

Karen Bird

Karen Bird is an Ojibwe woman from Batchewana First Nation, living in Sault Ste Marie (SSM), Ontario. She has 26 years of financial industry experience including commercial lending, business advisory services, housing property management, renewable energy project management, business plan writing, start-up company coaching, wealth management and corporate cultural training. Karen was the recipient of the 2015 Influential Women of Northern Ontario’s Aboriginal Leadership Award and in 2018 was the first Indigenous recipient of the ATHENA Leadership Award. Karen is the proud mother of four, step-mother to three, values her language and carries many cultural teachings. Karen currently sits on the Board for Sault College and Taking IT Global. She was first Indigenous President of the SSM Chamber of Commerce. Karen is also the first Indigenous certified facilitator in Canada for ATHENA International. Karen is a strong advocate for women in business, Indigenous inclusion and sexual assault survivors through her non-profit Nakehndan – Knowing Your Truth, numerous seminars, panels, guest speaking and moderating engagements.
 
  Learn about the Being ATHENA Leadership Program!


Fees/Admission:
$45 per person
$400 for a table of 10
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