Inspiration Archives

In Career Gems October 28, 2026 By Women of Rubies

How Princess Adetola Oluyede Is Helping Creators Turn Their Knowledge into Income Through Studyplace

For coaches, consultants and educators, creating a valuable programme is only one part of running an online business. They also need a way to collect payments, organise learning materials, communicate with participants and deliver what they have promised.

Princess Adetola Oluyede understands that challenge from personal experience.The marketing strategist and entrepreneur is the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Studyplace, a platform designed to help creators sell and deliver their expertise through courses, digital products and learning experiences.

Her journey into building the platform began with a practical need: finding a simpler way to teach online.

A Platform Inspired by Firsthand Experience

After moving to Canada, Oluyede began exploring how to develop her fashion teaching into an online school. She wanted a system that could bring her content, students, payments and programme delivery together.

In her Guardian interview, she described the difficulty of finding a platform that suited her needs and the markets she wanted to serve. That experience became a starting point for Studyplace.

Her co-founder brought experience in building learning management systems, while Oluyede contributed her perspective as an educator, entrepreneur and marketer. Together, they identified an opportunity to make selling and delivering knowledge more manageable.

The resulting platform was built around the needs of people who have something valuable to teach but also need the business infrastructure to support it.

Bringing Learning and Business Operations Together

Studyplace presents itself as an all-in-one platform for educators, coaches and digital creators. Its offerings include tools for online courses, digital products, live training, consultations and communities. Creators can organise learning materials, customise their landing pages and manage payments within the platform.

For course delivery, its published information describes support for written lessons, video, audio, downloadable files, quizzes and assignments. The platform also supports different teaching formats, including self-paced learning, downloadable resources and sessions delivered through live meetings.

These options give creators different ways to package their expertise, depending on what they teach and how their audience prefers to learn.

Helping Expertise Become a Business Offering

For a consultant, an offer might begin with a one-to-one session. For an educator, it could be a structured course. A coach might combine live teaching with resources that participants can revisit. Studyplace is designed to support these different formats within one platform.

Its marketplace also allows participating creators to list courses and consultations for discovery beyond their own channels. The business opportunity lies in making knowledge easier to access and purchase. A clear offer, an organised learning experience and a straightforward payment process can give creators a more practical foundation for serving their customers.

The Marketing Perspective Behind the Platform

Oluyede’s work extends beyond Studyplace. She is also the founder of House of PAc Media, where her focus includes storytelling, marketing and brand visibility. That experience informs how she approaches creator businesses: visibility needs to connect with a clear offer and a useful customer experience.

During Women of Rubies Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0, where she participated as a fireside panellist, this connection between visibility and business strategy was part of the wider conversation.

Her work with Studyplace addresses what happens after someone discovers a creator’s expertise—how they explore an offer, make a purchase and receive the learning experience.

Building with a Team and Systems

In her Women of Rubies Guardian interview with our founder, Oluyede also discussed the transition from handling multiple responsibilities herself to building a team and establishing systems. Her account reflects a familiar stage in entrepreneurship. Founders often begin by managing marketing, sales and customer support personally, then work towards a structure that can sustain the business beyond their daily involvement.

For Oluyede, developing Studyplace has involved bringing people into the vision and sharing responsibility as the business grows.

Creating More Ways to Share Knowledge

Studyplace’s proposition is straightforward: give people who teach, coach and advise a place to organise, sell and deliver their work. For Oluyede, the platform connects her experience in education with her interest in marketing and entrepreneurship. It also speaks to a wider opportunity for professionals to turn what they know into structured services and learning products.

As more creators explore how to build businesses around their expertise, platforms such as Studyplace offer one route for bringing the teaching and operational sides together.

Learn more about Studyplace at studyplace.io and follow its LinkedIn page for updates.

In Inspiration October 17, 2026 By Women of Rubies

Wendy Nwajiufor Is Helping Women and Newcomers Build Their Place in Tech

For women and newcomers pursuing careers in technology, technical knowledge is only part of the journey. Access to mentorship, professional networks and opportunities to develop confidence can also shape how they move forward.

Wendy Nwajiufor has made creating that access a central part of her work. An award-winning tech leader, project manager and senior business analyst, Wendy brings more than a decade of experience leading complex business transformation initiatives across multiple industries. As Founder and President of WinTECH Community, she applies that experience to helping women and underrepresented professionals build meaningful careers.

Building a community around opportunity

WinTECH Community is a Canadian nonprofit dedicated to empowering women, young girls and underrepresented professionals through mentorship, career development, leadership training, digital skills and entrepreneurship.

Under Wendy’s leadership, the organisation has supported hundreds of professionals as they develop their careers, expand their networks and gain confidence in navigating the technology sector.

The community’s work recognises that people need different kinds of support at different stages. Someone exploring a STEM career may need exposure to possible pathways. A newcomer may need guidance on communicating existing experience in a new professional environment. An emerging leader may be looking for mentorship and opportunities to take on greater responsibility.

Through WinTECH, Wendy helps create spaces where women can learn, ask questions and build relationships that support their next steps.

Bringing professional experience into community leadership

Alongside her community work, Wendy has built expertise in project management, business analysis, Agile delivery, process improvement, stakeholder engagement and digital transformation.

Her work involves helping organisations understand business needs, coordinate people and processes, and deliver change. These skills also inform how she approaches mentorship and community development: identifying barriers, understanding what people need and helping them take practical steps forward.

Her professional qualifications include SAP ERP certification in Human Resources, Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) and ITIL certification.

Wendy also contributes as an educator, speaker, mentor and content creator. She shares practical insights on technology careers, leadership, immigration and professional growth with audiences across Canada and beyond.

Recognition for advancing STEM and community impact

Wendy’s commitment to service has earned recognition across technology and community leadership.

Her honours include the King Charles III Coronation Medal, recognising contributions to Canadian communities and the country, and the STEM Advancement Award from Lotus Hope Foundation for her contributions to STEM education, mentorship and community empowerment.

She has also received a Community Champion Award from the YMCA, a Women in Tech Excellence Award from Remarkable Women Inc., and an Innovative Award from Canada Vendors.

These recognitions reflect the connection between her professional work and her commitment to helping others access opportunities.

Helping people turn potential into progress

At the centre of Wendy’s work is a clear mission: removing barriers and equipping people with the skills, confidence and connections to build meaningful careers. Whether she is mentoring an emerging professional, speaking to an audience or leading a community initiative, her focus remains on helping people recognise their potential and take steps towards it.

Beyond her professional and community commitments, Wendy values quality time with her husband and children. Her story is a reminder that leadership can extend beyond the projects a person delivers. It can also be measured in the people they support and the opportunities they help others access.

Connect with Wendy Nwajiufor and WinTECH Community

Explore WinTECH Community’s work, programmes and opportunities:

Website: https://www.womenintechcommunity.org
Wendy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendynwaji/
WinTECH on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wintechcommunity
Instagram: @wintech_ca
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WinTECH-WomeninTECHCommunity

In Inspiration October 12, 2026 By Women of Rubies

Kesiena E. Edionhon: Helping Professionals Turn Experience into Opportunity

For experienced professionals, the next chapter can begin with recognising the value of what they already know. Years spent delivering projects, solving problems and building teams can become the foundation for new opportunities.

That possibility sits at the heart of Kesiena E. Edionhon’s work.

A consultant and entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience across technology, project delivery, talent building, business operations and consulting, Kesiena helps professionals and organisations identify practical paths for growth.

Through Synergy One Consulting, Career Leverage and Synergy One Lending, she brings together the different strands of her experience to address a shared question: how can people and businesses move forward with the knowledge, resources and capabilities available to them?

Connecting People, Technology and Business

Kesiena’s career has developed at the intersection of people, technology and business. Her work has included helping organisations solve operational problems, build effective teams and deliver projects within a changing professional landscape.

Her experience in technology and human resourcing also gave her insight into two connected challenges. Organisations need people with the right skills to support their goals, while experienced professionals need to communicate and position their expertise for suitable opportunities.

Understanding both perspectives has shaped her approach to consulting and entrepreneurship. She combines strategic thinking with practical experience, paying attention to the people and processes that make a solution work.

Building Sustainable Paths Through Synergy One Consulting

As the founder of Synergy One Consulting, Kesiena draws on her background in technology, business operations, consulting and talent to support organisations and professionals.

Her work centres on helping clients solve problems and create sustainable paths for growth. Whether the challenge involves project delivery, team development or professional positioning, her approach reflects an understanding of how business needs and individual capabilities connect.

It is an approach built through experience across several professional disciplines—and strengthened by her own journey as a business founder.

Helping Professionals Explore What Comes Next

Kesiena is also the founder of Career Leverage, a platform focused on helping experienced professionals in Canada explore possibilities beyond the traditional career path.

Through the platform and its podcast, she examines topics including consulting, contracting, government opportunities, professional positioning, pricing and the practical realities of building an independent career.

These conversations encourage professionals to consider how their existing expertise might translate into a different way of working. They also address the decisions involved in making that transition, from explaining the value of their experience to understanding how to price their services.

Grounded in practical experience and conversations, Career Leverage reflects Kesiena’s interest in helping people turn years of knowledge into influence, income and impact.

Bringing a Client-Focused Approach to Financial Services

Kesiena’s entrepreneurial work also includes Synergy One Lending, a Canadian lending business focused on making access to personal financing simpler and more straightforward. In this venture, she applies the problem-solving and client-focused approach that has shaped her work in technology and consulting.

While each of her businesses serves a different need, they share a consistent emphasis: understanding a challenge and developing a practical response.

A Career That Continues to Evolve

Across her ventures, Kesiena’s work reflects a commitment to creating opportunities, solving problems and helping people and businesses move forward. Her journey has expanded from technology and project consulting into building businesses and supporting others as they consider their next steps.

For Women of Rubies, her story highlights the value of experience—and the possibilities that can emerge when women recognise that their skills can serve them in more than one setting.

Kesiena E. Edionhon continues to bring technology, business, people and entrepreneurship together, helping others consider how what they already know can contribute to what comes next.

Connect with Kesiena E. Edionhon

Explore her work and follow her professional and business platforms:

LinkedIn: Kesiena’s professional profile
Career Leverage: @careerleverage_executiveedge
Career Leverage Podcast: @careerleveragepodcast
Synergy One Lending: @s1_lending
Synergy One Consulting: synergy1cc.com
Synergy One Lending website: synergy-onelending.com

In Inspiration October 10, 2026 By Women of Rubies

Ejiro Osakede Brings Practical Podcasting to the Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0

Your next visibility opportunity could begin with a conversation only you can lead.

For women with expertise, lived experience and stories worth sharing, podcasting offers space to communicate beyond a short social media post. It creates room for thoughtful conversations, useful insights and a voice an audience can come to recognise.

At the Women of Rubies Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0, Ejiro Osakede will lead a practical podcasting session on Day 2, October 18, 2026, bringing her experience in audio, storytelling and podcast coaching to the conversation.

Meet Ejiro Osakede, The Energetic EJ

Known as The Energetic EJ, Ejiro Osakede is a podcaster, podcast coach, event host and voice artist. A trained audio engineer, she brings experience in creating audio content and bringing scripts and stories to life

She is the voice behind Stretch Street Podcast, where she shares conversations about the experiences that stretch people and shape their growth. In a published interview, Ejiro explained that her interest in podcasting grew from a desire to make a positive impact through her voice, before developing into sharing lessons through other people’s stories.

Her experience extends to supporting other podcasters. She has also spoken about running Profiting Podcasters Hub, a community for people who have completed her podcast training.

A perspective rooted in doing the work

Ejiro brings the creative and practical sides of podcasting together. Her background in audio supports the production process, while her experience hosting conversations connects that process to the people and stories behind each episode.

Her own journey also offers a lesson in positioning. She describes how podcasting and live streaming helped her establish a clearer professional identity while supporting others in starting, growing and monetising their podcasts.

For bootcamp participants, that experience adds a valuable perspective: building visibility involves helping people understand what you do, why it matters and what they can turn to you for.

Why podcasting belongs in the visibility conversation

A podcast can give a founder space to explain the thinking behind her business. It can help a professional share knowledge beyond her immediate workplace, or enable an advocate to bring different voices into a conversation.

The opportunity begins with a clear purpose. Who do you want to reach? What can you contribute? Which conversations would be useful enough for someone to return to? These questions connect podcasting to the wider work of building a recognisable brand. Consistent, relevant conversations can help an audience become familiar with your perspective over time.

A practical session at the bootcamp

Ejiro’s session will bring podcasting into the bootcamp’s focus on visibility, communication and sharing expertise. Participants will have an opportunity to explore this format with someone who has worked as both a creator and a coach. For women who have been considering a podcast, the session is a reason to move the idea from “someday” into a more intentional conversation about getting started.

Join Ejiro at the Media Visibility Bootcamp

The Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0 takes place virtually on October 17–18, 2026. Day 1 runs from 12–2 PM ET, and Day 2 runs from 2–4 PM ET. The two-day experience brings together expert sessions, conversations and practical learning for women looking to strengthen their visibility and communicate their value with confidence. Your voice can become a platform for your expertise. Take the next step.

Reserve your access.

In Inspiration October 10, 2026 By Women of Rubies

Sarah Hashem: Building Visibility and Opportunity for Women in Leadership

For Sarah Hashem, helping people move forward begins with recognising their potential and creating the conditions for that potential to grow. Visibility, confidence and support are central to that approach.

For more than 20 years, Sarah has built programmes, partnerships and platforms that help young entrepreneurs, creators and emerging leaders turn potential into progress. Her career spans business, nonprofits and education, with a consistent focus on helping people and organisations recognise what is possible and take steps towards it.

As CEO of Women in Communications and Technology (WCT), she leads work focused on closing the gender leadership gap in technology. Her experience brings together an entrepreneurial mindset, a belief in collective action and a commitment to expanding access to opportunity.

A Career Built Around Creating Opportunity

Before her leadership role at WCT, Hashem led strategic initiatives at Music Canada, championing the value of music and the creators behind it.

Supporting creators and advancing women’s leadership share an important connection: both involve helping people communicate their contributions and gain recognition for their work. Talent needs opportunities to develop, relationships that support growth and platforms through which others can understand its value.

Across her career, Hashem has worked to build those connections. Her approach centres on helping people mobilise their spheres of influence and work together to create meaningful change.

Her biography also highlights a belief that lasting impact grows through small, consistent shifts. That perspective makes progress something people can participate in daily, through the decisions they make, the relationships they build and the opportunities they extend to others.

Supporting Women at Different Career Stages

WCT’s work provides context for Sarah’s leadership. The organisation supports women in digitally driven workplaces through professional development, mentorship and networking, with offerings tailored to different stages of a career.

Its approach recognises that an emerging professional, a frontline manager and a senior executive face different challenges. Each may need a different combination of skills, guidance and peer support to move forward. WCT also works with employers to support women’s advancement and strengthen leadership pipelines.

For women navigating career growth, this combination matters. Learning a skill is valuable; having a community in which to practise it, discuss challenges and consider the next step can make that learning more useful.

Opening Doors for Emerging Leaders

WCT’s Opening Doors programme supports early-career women as they prepare to move from individual contributor roles towards leadership.

The programme combines expert-led sessions, practical resources and a digital community. Its learning goals include developing self-awareness, clarifying values, strengthening emotional intelligence and building confidence, personal brands and visibility.

Participants also connect through WCT’s Inner Circles, which provide space for candid discussion and learning with peers. The structure brings professional development and relationship building together, giving participants opportunities to reflect on how the lessons apply to their own workplaces.

For Women of Rubies, the connection between personal branding and career development is especially relevant. Understanding your value and being able to communicate it can help you approach conversations about responsibility, progression and opportunity with greater intention.

Helping Managers Become Change Agents

For women already managing people, WCT offers Change Agent, a career accelerator programme for frontline people managers.

The programme focuses on leadership skills including conflict management, feedback, presentation, negotiation and change management. It also addresses authentic presence, self-advocacy and building supportive professional relationships.

Through its sessions and peer connections, Change Agent gives participants opportunities to examine how they lead and how they can support others while pursuing their own career goals.

These areas connect leadership with everyday practice. How a manager handles a difficult conversation, presents an idea or responds to feedback can shape both their own credibility and the experience of the people around them.

Strengthening Senior Leadership and Sponsorship

WCT’s Pinnacle Project serves women at director and vice-president levels. It brings participants together in a cohort setting for learning, problem-solving, discussion and peer coaching.

Its focus includes executive presence, interpersonal skills and supporting systemic change within organisations. It also encourages participants to sponsor and support aspiring women leaders.

WCT’s Protégé Project adds another dimension through sponsorship. The programme combines allyship training for men with support for sponsorship relationships that help women advance towards executive roles. Participating organisations receive training, resources and a framework for connecting sponsors and protégés.

Together, these programmes illustrate how women’s advancement involves both individual development and action from people who can influence access to opportunities.

The Third Rung: Helping Women Leaders Strengthen Their Presence and Influence

Launching in spring 2027, WCT’s The Third Rung is designed for new second-line leaders, directors and senior managers who lead front-line managers. Through interactive online workshops, participants will strengthen their leadership presence, visibility and influence while developing the skills to lead and support other leaders.

Sarah Hashem Joins Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0

Women of Rubies is delighted to welcome Sarah Hashem as a keynote speaker on Day 1 of the Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0, taking place virtually on October 17–18, 2026.

Her experience in building partnerships, championing creators and advancing women’s leadership brings a valuable perspective to this year’s event. Her commitment to helping people turn potential into progress also connects with the purpose of the bootcamp: helping women communicate their value and approach visibility with intention.

Sarah Hashem bio flyer highlighting her WCT leadership and experience building programmes and partnerships — Meet Sarah Hashem: more than two decades of building programmes, partnerships and opportunities for emerging leaders.

At Women of Rubies, we believe that women’s work deserves to be seen, understood and connected with opportunity. Creating space for learning and meaningful relationships is part of making that happen.

Whether you are growing a business, developing your professional voice or preparing for your next leadership opportunity, the bootcamp offers a space to learn from experienced speakers and consider practical steps towards greater visibility.

Reserve your spot at Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0.

To explore WCT’s professional development programmes, visit Women in Communications and Technology.

In Inspiration September 26, 2026 By Women of Rubies

Women of Rubies at 11: From One Column to Global Impact

Eleven years ago, Women of Rubies began with a simple but important conviction: women doing meaningful work deserved to be seen, heard and recognized.

The journey started with a newspaper column created to document women’s experiences, ask thoughtful questions and give their stories the attention they deserved. At the time, there was no complete picture of what the platform would eventually become.

There was simply a commitment to begin.

Today, Women of Rubies has grown into a global media and visibility platform that has spotlighted more than 3,000 women and reached an audience of over 12 million through storytelling, media features, educational programmes, strategic partnerships and community initiatives.

As Women of Rubies celebrates its 11th anniversary, this milestone offers an opportunity to honour the women, stories, lessons and relationships that have shaped the journey.

How Women of Rubies began

Esther Ijewere, founder of Women of Rubies, celebrating the platform’s 11th anniversary — Esther Ijewere founded Women of Rubies in 2015 to amplify women’s stories, expertise and impact.

Women of Rubies was founded by media strategist and Guardian columnist Esther Ijewere in 2015.

Its foundation was built through years of interviewing women and documenting their journeys. Those conversations revealed that many women were building businesses, leading organizations, creating solutions and supporting their communities without receiving the recognition their work deserved.

The challenge was not always a lack of expertise or impact. In many cases, women did not know how to communicate their value, position their work or access platforms that could amplify their stories.

Women of Rubies was created to help close that gap. What began as a storytelling platform gradually developed into a wider visibility ecosystem providing media features, brand visibility support, practical education and opportunities for women to share their expertise.

Women of Rubies at 11: Measuring the impact

Over the past 11 years, Women of Rubies has worked with women across industries, cultures, career stages and geographical locations.

The platform has:

Spotlighted more than 3,000 women globally
Reached an audience of over 12 million
Produced five cohorts of the Media Visibility Bootcamp
Hosted more than 40 speakers and visibility experts
Created media and learning opportunities for entrepreneurs, professionals and community leaders
Developed strategic partnerships with organizations supporting women’s advancement
Published stories that have helped women strengthen their credibility and expand their reach

Behind every number is a woman whose story, work or expertise was given space to be recognized. That remains one of the most meaningful measures of the platform’s impact.

Eleven lessons from eleven years of building Women of Rubies

1. Start before the entire vision is clear

Women of Rubies did not begin with every programme, partnership or opportunity fully planned. The vision became clearer through action. Many meaningful ideas remain unrealized because people believe they must understand the entire journey before taking the first step. Progress often begins with using what is available and allowing experience to shape what comes next.

2. Consistency builds credibility

Visibility may attract attention, but consistency builds trust. Showing up repeatedly, maintaining a clear message and delivering meaningful work have been essential to the growth of Women of Rubies. Credibility was not built through one successful feature or campaign. It developed through years of sustained service.

3. Every woman has a story worth telling

A woman does not need to be famous before her story becomes valuable. Some of the most powerful stories published by Women of Rubies have come from women building quietly, overcoming personal challenges, serving their communities or creating solutions without widespread recognition.

Their experiences deserve to be documented.

4. Visibility must be intentional

Being visible is different from being strategically positioned. Effective visibility helps the right audience understand who you are, what you do and why your work matters. It should strengthen credibility, support professional goals and create relevant opportunities.

This principle has shaped the visibility education Women of Rubies provides.

5. Storytelling can create access

A well-told story can introduce a woman’s work to new clients, partners, employers, collaborators and communities. Storytelling is not simply about publicity. It is a bridge connecting expertise and impact with the people who need to know about it.

6. Community must be built on trust

A strong community is not created by numbers alone. It grows when people feel respected, represented and supported. Women of Rubies has continued to prioritize responsible storytelling and the dignity of every woman whose story is shared.

7. Collaboration expands impact

Much of the platform’s growth has been strengthened through partnerships with speakers, writers, organizations, media platforms and community leaders. Collaboration allows ideas to travel further and gives more women access to resources, knowledge and opportunities.

8. Reinvention is part of longevity

The media landscape has changed considerably since Women of Rubies began in 2015. Social platforms have evolved, audience behaviour has shifted and new technologies have transformed how stories are produced and consumed. Remaining relevant has required learning, adaptation and a willingness to improve established approaches.

9. Challenges can clarify the mission

Building a platform for 11 years has included difficult seasons, unexpected changes and moments that required strategic restraint. Those experiences have reinforced the importance of protecting trust, documenting the journey and remaining focused on the long-term mission.

10. Recognition should lead to opportunity

Visibility is most meaningful when it leads to something useful. A feature should help people discover a woman’s work. A conversation should provide practical insight. A programme should leave participants better equipped to communicate their value and pursue opportunities.

Recognition should not end with attention. It should create a pathway for growth.

11. Legacy is built through service

The Women of Rubies journey has never been about one person or one platform. It is about the women whose stories have been documented, the communities that have supported the work and the opportunities created through consistent service. Legacy is built through the people who are encouraged, equipped and remembered because someone chose to create space for them.

Building the next chapter

The next chapter of Women of Rubies will continue to focus on practical visibility education, strategic storytelling, reputation management and meaningful opportunities for women.

The goal is not simply to help women become more visible. It is to help them communicate their expertise with clarity, strengthen their credibility and build visibility that supports their professional and business goals.

This commitment is reflected in initiatives such as the Women of Rubies Academy, the Media Pitch Challenge and the Media Visibility Bootcamp.

Celebrating 11 years with the Media Visibility Bootcamp

As part of the 11th-anniversary celebration, Women of Rubies has opened a special seven-day access offer for the Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0.

The virtual bootcamp will take place on October 17 and 18, 2026, bringing together experienced speakers and professionals for practical conversations about visibility, communication, leadership, business growth and reputation.

Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0 $50 anniversary access offer for the October 17–18, 2026 virtual event — 11 years of Women of Rubies with $50 live access to both days of the Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0.

The $50 Anniversary Access provides live access to both bootcamp days, including speaker sessions, panel discussions, fireside conversations and attendee community access.

The anniversary offer ends on October 2, 2026.

To reserve your access, visit womenofrubies.com/mvbc2026.

Thank you for being part of the Women of Rubies story

Eleven years of Women of Rubies would not have been possible without the women who trusted the platform with their stories, the readers who shared those stories, the speakers who contributed their expertise and the partners who supported the vision.

Every feature, conversation, collaboration and lesson has contributed to this milestone.

As Women of Rubies celebrates 11 years, the mission remains clear: to amplify women’s stories, strengthen their visibility and help more women receive the recognition and opportunities their work deserves.

The journey continues.

In Inspiration September 17, 2026 By Esther Ijewere

Remembering Maryam Muritala and Her Legacy of Impact

A life devoted to opening doors for others leaves a legacy that cannot be erased. Women of Rubies joins the Nigerian and Canadian business communities in mourning the passing of Maryam Muritala, Founder of Canada Vendors and Canada Business Forum.

Maryam was a foreign-trained lawyer, business development consultant, entrepreneur and community builder whose work created visibility, recognition and opportunities for entrepreneurs across Canada and the diaspora.

Her passing is a profound loss to her family, friends, colleagues and the many business owners and community members whose lives she touched. Yet, even in this moment of grief, her life gives us many reasons to celebrate the impact one person can create through service, connection and purpose.

Maryam Muritala was featured by Women of Rubies after being named among Canada’s Top 20 Digital Marketers in 2025.

From Law to Entrepreneurship and Community Building

Maryam Muritala was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2008 and began her professional journey in commercial and corporate law. Her legal background included experience in business, technology, copyright, trademark law and contract management.

Over time, her work expanded into business development, where she found meaningful ways to combine her professional knowledge with her passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed.

Maryam understood that many talented business owners were not struggling because they lacked valuable products or services. They often lacked access to information, visibility, networks and the right opportunities. This understanding became an important foundation for the work she would go on to build.

Building Canada Vendors

Through Canada Vendors, Maryam created a business development and advertising platform that helped entrepreneurs strengthen their brands, embrace digital marketing and connect with potential customers, partners and investors.

Her support was especially valuable to immigrant entrepreneurs and small-business owners navigating unfamiliar systems while trying to establish themselves in Canada.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many businesses were forced to reconsider how they operated, Maryam and the Canada Vendors team organised virtual information sessions addressing business registration, accessible funding and the use of digital tools.

Between 2020 and 2022, Canada Vendors also interviewed hundreds of small businesses across Canadian communities, giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to share their journeys and gain greater visibility.

Creating Brand Expo

Maryam Muritala was also the visionary behind Brand Expo, an annual business showcase created to help entrepreneurs present their products, services and brand stories to wider audiences. The event brought together business owners, professionals and community members through exhibitions, workshops, presentations and networking opportunities.

For Maryam, Brand Expo was about more than putting businesses on display. It was an opportunity to build relationships, generate leads, encourage collaboration and help entrepreneurs become more visible within their communities.

Celebrating Entrepreneurs Through Annual Awards

Maryam also established the annual Entrepreneur Awards in 2020 to recognise entrepreneurs demonstrating innovation, resilience, leadership and meaningful business impact. The awards created a space where founders, professionals and community builders could have their contributions acknowledged while connecting with potential collaborators and supporters.

In 2024, the Entrepreneur Awards celebrated its fifth anniversary, honouring excellence across categories including entrepreneurship, youth leadership, business innovation, media, legal services and community impact.

Through this initiative, Maryam ensured that entrepreneurs who were doing important work, sometimes without widespread recognition had an opportunity to be seen and celebrated.

Serving the Nigerian Community in Canada

Maryam’s commitment to community extended beyond the initiatives she founded. She served as Director of Public Relations and Strategic Partnerships for the Network of Nigerians in Canada, supporting the organisation’s media relations, visibility, community engagement and strategic collaborations.

Her work helped strengthen connections within the Nigerian community while promoting greater representation and opportunities for Nigerians living in Canada.

Whether she was promoting a business, developing a partnership, supporting an event or connecting people, Maryam consistently used her influence to create access for others.

Sharing Entrepreneurial Stories

In 2021, Maryam launched “The Entrepreneurial Journey,” a YouTube mini-series spotlighting business owners from different communities across Canada.

The series gave entrepreneurs an opportunity to discuss the realities of building their businesses, particularly during a period when many small-business owners were facing uncertainty. It reflected Maryam’s belief in the power of storytelling to educate, connect and inspire people.

Maryam Muritala at the City of Brampton Citizens Awards, where her contribution to the community was recognized.

A Life Rooted in Service

Maryam’s commitment to youth entrepreneurship, social change and community development earned her the Naomi Ruth Barber King Youth Legacy Award. The recognition reflected the reach of her work across North America and Africa and her dedication to helping young people and entrepreneurs pursue meaningful opportunities.

In a 2023 interview with Esther Ijewere for the Guardian Woman column, Maryam spoke about being raised by parents who believed deeply in service. She explained that this upbringing inspired her journey of building connections and creating opportunities.

She also spoke proudly about the contributions Nigerians continue to make across Canada’s business, politics, healthcare, technology and other sectors.

Women of Rubies Remembers Maryam Muritala

At Women of Rubies, we had the privilege of spotlighting Maryam’s journey, amplifying her work and witnessing her commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening communities. Our relationship went beyond editorial coverage. She was part of our community and joined us at the Women of Rubies Sip and Network Toronto event in 2024.

Women of Rubies founder Esther Ijewere with Maryam Muritala at the Women of Rubies Sip and Network Toronto event in 2024.

That same year, I was honoured with an Entrepreneur Award from Canada Vendors, an initiative founded by Maryam to recognize and celebrate entrepreneurs contributing meaningfully to their industries and communities. Receiving that recognition made my connection to her work even more personal.

Maryam understood that visibility was not simply about being seen; it was about using your platform to open doors for others. She created spaces where entrepreneurs could connect, grow and feel supported.

Her passing is deeply painful, but the opportunities she created and the people she empowered will remain part of her legacy. Maryam represented what it means to be a Woman of Rubies, a woman who created opportunities wherever she went and used her journey to help others rise.

Marketing should be considered as a long-term business investment.” – Maryam Muritala

A Legacy That Will Continue

Maryam Muritala will be remembered not only for the organisations and events she created, but also for the people she encouraged, connected, celebrated and helped to move forward. Her legacy lives in the businesses she supported, the entrepreneurs she recognised, the partnerships she built and the communities she strengthened.

Women of Rubies extends its heartfelt condolences to Maryam’s family, friends, colleagues, the Canada Vendors community, the Network of Nigerians in Canada and everyone whose life was touched by her work.

May her soul rest in peace, and may the legacy she built continue to inspire generations of entrepreneurs and community leaders.

-Esther Ijewere, Founder, Women of Rubies Inc

In Inspiration August 14, 2026 By Women of Rubies

Hava Maloku: Using AI, Marketing and Personal Branding to Build Visibility and Business Growth

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape how businesses communicate, market, and connect with customers, visibility alone is no longer enough. Entrepreneurs and professionals need to understand how to combine technology with strategy, authenticity, and a clear understanding of the audiences they want to reach.

This is an area Hava Maloku knows well. With more than 15 years of experience spanning lifecycle marketing, digital growth, customer retention, and strategic marketing, Hava has built a career helping organizations turn marketing into measurable business impact.

Now, as Founder and CEO of Maloku Marketing, she is bringing that experience to Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0, taking place virtually on October 17–18, 2026.

Want to learn from Hava and the other experts joining Cohort 6?
Explore Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0 and register

From Global Brands to Entrepreneurship

Before launching Maloku Marketing, Hava spent a decade at LinkedIn, where she led global lifecycle marketing initiatives and developed strategies focused on customer engagement, retention, and growth.

Her corporate career also includes marketing leadership experience with major brands including Expedia and LegalZoom.

Across these roles, Hava developed expertise at the intersection of customer behaviour, digital marketing, lifecycle strategy, and business growth experience she now brings to organizations and entrepreneurs through her own consultancy.

Building Maloku Marketing

Today, Hava is the Founder and CEO of Maloku Marketing, a boutique growth consultancy that helps organizations accelerate growth through AI, lifecycle marketing, customer retention, and strategic marketing systems.

Her move from corporate leadership into entrepreneurship represents another dimension of her expertise: understanding what it takes not only to execute marketing within established organizations, but also to build and position a business in an increasingly competitive digital environment.

Through her work, Hava helps organizations think more strategically about the relationship between marketing, technology, customers, and sustainable revenue growth.

Where AI Meets Marketing Strategy

Artificial intelligence has made it possible to create content, analyze information, automate processes, and reach audiences faster than ever before. But access to AI does not automatically create an effective marketing strategy. For founders and professionals, the bigger question is how to use these tools without losing the clarity, credibility, and human connection that make people trust a brand.

Hava’s work sits at this intersection. Her expertise in AI, marketing strategy, personal branding, visibility, and business growth offers a practical perspective for professionals navigating a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Personal Branding Is More Than Being Visible

Hava’s expertise also extends to personal branding — an increasingly important asset for founders, executives, and professionals.

A strong personal brand is not simply about posting frequently or accumulating followers. It is about creating a clear association between your name, expertise, values, and the problems you can help solve.

When that positioning is supported by the right marketing strategy, visibility can begin to create credibility, relationships, customers, partnerships, speaking opportunities, and other forms of professional growth.

That connection between visibility and opportunity is one of the conversations at the heart of Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0.

Hava Maloku Joins Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0

As one of the experts joining Cohort 6, Hava will bring her experience in strategic marketing, AI, personal branding, and business growth to the Media Visibility Bootcamp community.

Her perspective is particularly relevant for entrepreneurs and professionals asking questions such as:

How can I use AI strategically without losing my authentic voice?
How do I build a personal brand that establishes credibility?
How can marketing support greater visibility and business growth?
How do I turn increased attention into meaningful opportunities on LinkedIn?
What systems can help me build visibility more intentionally?

These are no longer questions reserved for marketing departments. They are increasingly important for anyone building a business, career, or professional reputation.

A Global Perspective on Marketing and Visibility

With a career spanning global organizations and entrepreneurship, Hava brings both corporate and founder perspectives to the conversation.

She also speaks internationally on AI, marketing strategy, personal branding, visibility, and business growth and holds a doctorate in Marketing and an MBA.

Her career demonstrates something particularly relevant to the Women of Rubies community: expertise becomes more powerful when people understand how to communicate, position, and leverage it.

Why Hava’s Perspective Matters for Cohort 6

Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0 has been intentionally designed around the idea that visibility is an ecosystem.

Media exposure is one part of it. So are communication, personal branding, marketing, AI, business strategy, relationships, leadership, and positioning.

Hava brings the AI, strategic marketing, lifecycle growth, and personal-branding lens to that ecosystem.

For participants, the opportunity is not simply to hear another success story, but to learn from someone who has spent years working with the strategies and systems behind how organizations attract, engage, and retain audiences.

Learn From Hava Maloku at Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0

Hava Maloku joins a diverse group of experts for the sixth cohort of the Women of Rubies Media Visibility Bootcamp, a two-day virtual learning experience designed to help entrepreneurs, professionals, creatives, and changemakers strengthen their visibility, credibility, communication, and positioning.

Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0
October 17–18, 2026
Virtual

Early Bird registration is currently open.

Get your Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0 Early Bird ticket

More speakers and special guests will be unveiled as Women of Rubies counts down to Cohort 6.

In Inspiration August 14, 2026 By Esther Ijewere

Monica Kretschmer: Championing Women’s Stories on a Global Stage

Founder and CEO of Universal Womens Network™, Monica Kretschmer is redefining how women are recognized, celebrated, and empowered through storytelling, leadership, and global collaboration.

In a world where visibility often determines opportunity, few leaders have dedicated their life’s work to ensuring women’s stories are seen, heard, and celebrated as intentionally as Monica Kretschmer.

As the Founder and CEO of Universal Womens Network™, Monica has built more than a media company. She has created a global platform that recognizes women’s achievements, elevates their voices, and fosters meaningful connections through storytelling and leadership.

From Personal Resilience to Purpose-Driven Leadership

Behind Monica’s professional accomplishments is a deeply personal story of resilience.

Her vision for Universal Womens Network™ was shaped by years of personal hardship, including navigating more than 4,800 hours of family litigation, a 22-day trial, and rebuilding her life as a single mother. Rather than allowing those experiences to define her, Monica transformed them into a mission dedicated to ensuring women are seen, valued, supported, and recognized for the impact they create.

That journey has become the foundation of a movement that continues to inspire women around the world.

Monica Kretschmer supporting women leaders and changemakers through Universal Womens Network. — Universal Womens Network™ has celebrated more than 1,200 women leaders and changemakers whose stories continue to inspire communities around the world.

Building More Than a Brand

Monica describes storytelling as the heartbeat of Universal Womens Network™. Over the past decade, the organization has created a growing collection of stories that reflect the leadership, resilience, innovation, and lived experiences of women from diverse industries, cultures, and generations. Its mission extends beyond celebrating accomplishments to changing how women are perceived and represented globally.

Through media, publishing, events, strategic partnerships, and emerging technologies, the organization has built an ecosystem where stories become opportunities for connection, recognition, and lasting impact.

Creating Platforms That Inspire

Universal Womens Network™ is home to several internationally recognized initiatives, including:

Women of Inspiration®
Global Women of Inspiration® Summit
SupportHER™
UWomen Magazine™
Women of Inspiration® Podcast
Women of Inspiration® Books

Together, these initiatives create spaces where women can share their experiences, celebrate achievements, and inspire future generations while engaging men as visible allies through the SupportHER™ movement.

A Decade of Celebrating Women’s Leadership

Over the last ten years, Universal Womens Network™ has celebrated more than 1,200 entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, founders, creators, and changemakers whose stories continue to inspire communities worldwide.

Today, Monica continues to expand that vision by building what she describes as one of the world’s leading media and experiences companies focused on putting women into the spotlight through storytelling, thought leadership, and global collaboration.

Monica Kretschmer speaking about women’s leadership, storytelling, recognition, and global impact. — Through storytelling, thought leadership, and global experiences, Monica Kretschmer continues to redefine how women are seen, recognized, and celebrated.

Leading Through Storytelling

For Monica, storytelling is far more than communication; it is a catalyst for transformation. Her philosophy is reflected in the organization’s belief that:

Stories create visibility. Visibility creates connection. Connection creates opportunity. Opportunity creates impact. Impact inspires the next story.

This approach continues to shape how Universal Womens Network™ develops original media, leadership experiences, and recognition programs that help women increase their visibility while inspiring meaningful change.

Looking Ahead

Monica Kretschmer’s vision extends beyond building successful brands. Her goal is to create a future where every woman recognizes her potential, every story has the power to create change, and everyone has a role to play in supporting women’s success.

Through purpose-driven leadership, global collaboration, and an unwavering belief in the power of storytelling, Monica continues to champion women’s voices and build platforms that leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

To learn more about Monica Kretschmer and her work, connect with Universal Womens Network™ and follow its global initiatives celebrating women in leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Through its media platforms, events, and recognition programs, the organization continues to amplify inspiring stories and create opportunities for women to be seen, celebrated, and supported. Whether you are a founder, executive, professional, or changemaker, Monica’s work offers a powerful reminder of the impact storytelling can have in shaping lives, communities, and the future.

In Inspiration July 13, 2026 By Women of Rubies

Esther Ijewere Named Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassador

Award-winning media strategist, women’s advocate and Women of Rubies Founder Esther Ijewere has been named a Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassador by the Universal Womens Network™.

The appointment recognizes Ijewere’s continued commitment to amplifying women’s voices, celebrating women’s achievements and creating platforms that help women gain visibility, recognition and access to meaningful opportunities.

She joins a distinguished group of Women of Inspiration® Award recipients who have demonstrated purposeful leadership, championed other women and created lasting impact within their industries and communities.

Esther Ijewere Joins a Global Community of Women Leaders

The Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassadors represent nearly a decade of award recipients who have stepped forward to support the continued growth and vision of the Universal Womens Network™ and the Global Women of Inspiration® Summit.

Through their leadership, influence and professional networks, the ambassadors will continue to champion women, encourage meaningful connections and help create opportunities for women across industries and communities.

For Ijewere, the appointment represents an extension of the work she has led for more than a decade through media, strategic communications, advocacy and the Women of Rubies platform.

“I am deeply honoured to be named a Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassador. This appointment is more than a personal recognition; it is another opportunity to continue amplifying women’s voices, celebrating their achievements and helping more women access the visibility and opportunities they deserve,” said Esther Ijewere.

“My work has always been rooted in the belief that women deserve to be seen, heard, supported and recognized. I look forward to contributing my experience in media, storytelling, strategic communications and advocacy to this global community of women leaders.”

Recognizing Esther Ijewere’s Advocacy and Impact

Ijewere was previously named the 2023 Women of Inspiration® Advocate and Catalyst for Change Award recipient.

The award recognized her commitment to advancing women through media representation, editorial storytelling, advocacy, community building and strategic visibility.

Through Women of Rubies, Ijewere has created a platform that spotlights women across business, leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, social impact, career development and community service.

Since establishing Women of Rubies in 2015, she has continued to use storytelling and media as tools for representation, empowerment and opportunity creation.

Her work has also expanded beyond editorial features to include public relations, media strategy, visibility training, communications consulting and community-focused initiatives designed to help women communicate their value more effectively.

Building Visibility Through Women of Rubies

Women of Rubies was created to ensure that women’s stories, achievements and contributions receive the attention they deserve.

Through its editorial platform, Women of Rubies Academy, the Media Visibility Bootcamp, the Media Pitch Challenge and other initiatives, the organization provides women with practical tools to strengthen their voices, improve their public profiles and position themselves for greater opportunities.

The Media Visibility Bootcamp has empowered more than 600 participants across five cohorts and is currently preparing for its sixth edition.

The programme brings together media professionals, entrepreneurs, communications experts and women leaders to share practical strategies on storytelling, personal branding, public relations, digital visibility and thought leadership.

Ijewere believes that visibility should extend beyond simply being noticed online.

“Visibility is about ensuring that women’s work, perspectives and contributions are represented in the media, professional spaces and conversations shaping our communities and industries,” she said.

“When women learn how to communicate their value confidently, they are better positioned to attract opportunities, build meaningful relationships and influence the spaces they enter.”

Monica Kretschmer is the Founder and CEO of the Universal Womens Network™ and the visionary behind the Women of Inspiration® Awards

Monica Kretschmer Celebrates the Global Ambassadors

The Global Ambassador announcement was made by Monica Kretschmer, Founder and CEO of the Universal Womens Network™ and the visionary behind the Women of Inspiration® Awards.

In announcing the ambassadors, Kretschmer described them as women who consistently demonstrate leadership while creating opportunities for others.

“These women embody what it means to lead by example. They continue to champion women, build meaningful connections and help shape the vision,” Kretschmer said.

She thanked the ambassadors for supporting the Women of Inspiration® vision, encouraging other women and demonstrating the importance of embracing leadership, growth and visibility.

Meet the Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassadors

Esther Ijewere joins an accomplished group of award recipients selected as Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassadors.

The ambassadors include Donna Dahl, 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and Selection Committee Co-Chair; Yvonne E.L. Silver, 2018 Mentorship Award recipient and Global Ambassador Chair; Patricia Gagic, 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and Selection Committee Co-Chair; and Victoria Nguyen, ICD.D, 2021 Authentic Leader Award recipient.

The group also includes Shannon Smadella, MBA, 2022 NEST Award recipient; Chantal Brine, 2022 Mentorship Award recipient; Catherine R. Bell, 2023 Vision Builder Award recipient; Esther Ijewere, 2023 Advocate and Catalyst for Change Award recipient; Preethi Balasubramanian, 2024 Rising Leader Award recipient; and Laura McLand, 2025 Authentic Leader Award recipient.

Collectively, the ambassadors bring experience across media, entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, mentorship, advocacy, innovation, community development and organizational transformation.

Creating Opportunities for Other Women

One of the central messages of the Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassador initiative is that women do not always have to wait for opportunities to be presented to them.

They can create platforms, build relationships, communicate their achievements and open doors for themselves and others.

This message closely reflects Ijewere’s work through Women of Rubies.

Over the years, she has encouraged women to move beyond quietly doing good work and begin communicating their achievements with greater clarity and confidence.

She has also used her platform to spotlight women whose stories may otherwise be overlooked, including immigrant women, entrepreneurs, emerging leaders, professionals, advocates and women creating change outside traditional centres of influence.

“When women intentionally use their voices, networks and influence to support one another, we create possibilities that extend far beyond individual success,” Ijewere said.

“I am excited to build meaningful relationships with the other ambassadors and contribute to collaborations that create greater visibility and access for women across cultures, industries and communities.”

A New Chapter for Esther Ijewere

Being named a Women of Inspiration Global Ambassador marks another significant chapter in Esther Ijewere’s work as a media strategist and women’s advocate.

The appointment provides an opportunity to bring her experience in media, communications, storytelling and community building into a wider global network.

It also reinforces her commitment to helping women embrace their accomplishments, strengthen their credibility and confidently take their place in spaces where important decisions and opportunities are created.

As a Global Ambassador, Ijewere will continue supporting conversations and initiatives that promote women’s leadership, representation, recognition and professional advancement.

About Esther Ijewere

Esther Ijewere is a multi-award-winning Canada-based media strategist, speaker, author, columnist and women’s advocate. She is the Founder and CEO of Women of Rubies, a media and communications platform and boutique PR company dedicated to amplifying women’s voices and providing visibility solutions for entrepreneurs, professionals, leaders and organizations.

Ijewere is also a Guardian newspaper columnist and the convener of the Media Visibility Bootcamp. Through her work in media, storytelling, advocacy and strategic communications, she helps women communicate their value, build credible brands and gain recognition for their leadership and impact.

About Women of Rubies

Founded in 2015, Women of Rubies is a women’s media, communications and visibility platform committed to amplifying women’s voices globally.

Through editorial storytelling, public relations, media strategy, visibility training, Women of Rubies Academy, the Media Visibility Bootcamp, the Media Pitch Challenge and community initiatives, the organization helps women tell their stories, strengthen their public profiles and position themselves for greater opportunities.

Women of Rubies congratulates Esther Ijewere and the other Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassadors on this important recognition.

Inspiration