Meet the Luminaries
Finding Inspiration at Every Turn
4th of March, 2026
The inaugural Luminary Dinner took place at Asia Bar and Restaurant - a night that honestly wouldn't have been possible without the most incredible group of people showing up and showing out. Our beverage sponsors, The Beyond Hospitality Group, kept the evening flowing. Blossom Shops brought the most stunning florals to life. CaitCollabs captured every moment on video, and Kaylin Amelia Studios behind the lens made sure nothing was missed. Every single attendee brought such a generous, supportive energy to the room - and that made all the difference. This evening was brought to you by The Conscious Survival Guide Inc, and it was everything we dreamed it would be.
Meet The First Round of Luminaries
Madusha Ranaweera
Madusha is the Founder/Host of the Luminary Dinner Series, along with being the CEO of CSG Inc., and Analog Spaces Inc. She first held a C-suite position at 28 years old, as a CMO, and then became a CEO by 31, leading Bio Foods - a 900+ person organic and fair trade food export company of over 30 years. She handled a post-covid recovery, dealing with 9 facories, while living on 3 continents, dealing with an international board and shareholders across Europe, Canada, and Asia. She earned the Woman Super Achiever Award from the World Women Leadership Congress, got featured in Biznomics and CEO Magazine, and has a first-class Master's from St. Andrews in psychology and neuroscience. She also studied at Acadia University right here in Nova Scotia. Now, through Conscious Survival Guide, your host for tonight, she consults for startups and businesses, and particularly loves working on leadership development for women and underrepresented minorities. She's still a Board Director for Bio Foods, and she's building North America's first commercially accessible digital detox space, starting right here in Halifax.
Julia Cann
Julia Cann, our co-host, is the Events Manager at the Halifax Citadel Society, overseeing events hosted at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site—one of Halifax's most iconic cultural venues, recently recognized as one of Canada's Best Historic Event Venues at the Canadian Venue Awards. She's also the Founder and Connection Architect of CannDo Connections, a professional networking initiative focused on designing intentional, high-impact connection experiences for professionals and leaders in Halifax. She recently won the Rising Star Award from Meeting Professionals International Atlantic Canada Chapter, recognizing her outstanding emerging leadership in the events community. Julia serves on the board of directors for MPI Atlantic Canada, helping shape the events profession across the region. She's building community, one intentional connection at a time.
Tanya Priske
Tanya Priske is the Executive Director of the Centre for Women in Business at Mount Saint Vincent University—Canada's only university-based business development centre exclusively for women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs. She's been leading CWB since around 2012, setting the vision and strategic direction for programs in mentorship, business training, export readiness, supplier diversity, and digital transformation support across Atlantic Canada. Under her leadership, CWB won the 2023 WBE Canada Champion Award for advancing supplier diversity and women's participation in corporate and government supply chains, and she was named one of Diversity Canada Magazine's Top 10 Canadian women leaders. She launched initiatives like Advancing Supplier Diversity in Atlantic Canada and the EDGE program to help women adopt digital tools and innovation. Her philosophy? When women succeed, the broader economy benefits—especially in rural and underserved communities. She's not just managing programs—she's advocating for systemic change and building an ecosystem where women entrepreneurs can truly thrive.
Steph Fox
Steph Fox is the National Growth Leader for Assurance and Client Strategy & Growth at BDO Canada LLP, one of the country's leading professional services firms. She drives strategic growth initiatives for Assurance services and strengthens client partnerships, particularly in Atlantic Canada, blending technical capability with a client-centric mindset to help clients manage risk, enhance performance, and grow sustainably. She holds a CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) and a Graduate Diploma in Social Responsibility & Sustainability, reflecting her expertise in ethical leadership, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable business practices. Previously, she held business development and advisory leadership positions, including VP of Business Development for Eastern Canada and National ESG at BDO. She's active in BDO's Women Driving Growth initiative, which empowers women leaders and entrepreneurs, and she's known for championing collaborative leadership, cross-regional teamwork, and ESG-informed strategy. Steph doesn't just focus on traditional business development—she understands client businesses, risk environments, and long-term goals to drive strategic, client-focused growth across Canada.
Julia Cann
Fatu M. Kaba
Fatu M. Kaba is a peace activist, TEDx speaker, and storyteller who survived the Liberian civil war and turned that experience into a life dedicated to resilience and empowerment. She studied Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at Manchester University and is now at the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary's University. She's the Founder and Curator of TEDxArgyle St- Halifax's first independently licensed TEDx event launching August 9th, 2025—and she's an Organizer for the Canadian International Peace Summit, a global initiative promoting peace and equity through education and entrepreneurial leadership. She's also the Founder and CEO of FatuM Storytelling & Co., helping leaders and changemakers build their personal narratives and amplify their impact. Her TEDx Oshawa talk on nonviolence and peacebuilding inspired her to bring TEDx to Halifax, creating a platform for underrepresented voices and celebrating the city's creativity, diversity, and resilience.
Shannon Boland-Musseau
Shannon Boland-Musseau is an Indigenous female entrepreneur and Founder of One Day Affair Inc., an all-inclusive event design, planning, and décor company she's been growing for over nine years in Halifax. The company specializes in weddings and corporate events and is known for its customizable luxury faux-floral rentals—an eco-friendly, sustainable alternative that's become a signature offering. Two years ago, she expanded the brand by opening One Day Social Affair, a micro-wedding and event venue in the heart of Halifax. She's won Spryfield Small Business of the Year in 2025, Halifax Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year in 2026, and the WBE Canada Small Business Award from the Judith Richardson Centre for Women in Business. Shannon's deeply committed to building an inclusive, diverse team and giving back to the community. When she's not designing dream events, she's home in Windsor with her husband and daughter—grounded, inspired, and grateful to be building a business she truly loves.
Primrose Watson
Primrose Watson is a Canadian tax lawyer and Founder of Primrose Tax Law, a national virtual law firm serving business owners across Canada. Born during the civil war in Sri Lanka, she spent her childhood moving through active conflict zones before immigrating to Nova Scotia alone at age twenty-five. She earned her Juris Doctor in Business Law and a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from Dalhousie University, built her firm on a cloud-based platform called "The Fortress," and now she's pursuing a Master of Laws focused on modernizing the Income Tax Act. Her lived experience drives her commitment to making complex tax law accessible, empowering underrepresented communities, and advancing safe workplaces across the country. Now, she's dedicated to changing Canadian tax law from the ground up. From surviving war to building a firm to shaping national policy—Primrose is rewriting the rules.
Steph Fox
Amanda Rogers
Amanda Rogers is the Founder and CEO of iPlume Writing Inc. She spent 20+ years in the nonprofit sector as a Manager, Director, and Executive Director before launching iPlume in 2017—a fully remote writing and editing agency that now serves clients in 19+ countries. She's traveled to over 25 countries, studied at Acadia right here in Nova Scotia with a Master of Arts in Child and Youth Study, and has helped her clients secure almost $50 million in funding with an 85% grant success rate. Amanda's won the Gold Globee CEO World Award for Startup of the Year, been nominated for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, and was a finalist for Atlantic Business Top 50 CEOs. She started iPlume while raising young kids and has built it into a values-driven company focused on social impact. Through the iPlume Change Program, she's donated tens of thousands of dollars in services to underserved communities across Canada and beyond.
Rebekah Streeter
Rebekah Streeter is the Founder of Voda Retreats, a wellness brand helping organizations and individuals turn self-care into simple, repeatable micro-habits using scent cues, aromatherapy products, and guided experiences. With a background in dance and the arts, she learned early how small practices become muscle memory—and after navigating her own burnout while running a bed and breakfast, she built Voda to make that same "habit training" accessible at scale. She's a Director for the Family Business Association of Atlantic Canada, a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) member, and hosts the podcast Calm Currents. She creates curated wellness products, digital wellness experiences with QR-linked guides, and custom corporate wellness solutions for events and retreats. Her philosophy? Self-care isn't a luxury or an escape—it's foundational to resilience, focus, and living a life you don't need to run from.
Suzanne Kassouf
Suzanne Kassouf is a hospitality and business strategist based in Halifax, known for building revenue-driven brands, scalable systems, and high-impact community initiatives. As Director of Sales & Marketing for Beyond Hospitality Group—a female-owned restaurant collective operating Asia Restaurant & Bar, Crème Halifax, Sea Smoke Restaurant + Bar, and Vandal Doughnuts—she leads growth strategy, partnerships, and guest experience across the portfolio. She previously served as Director of Sales at Moxy Hotel Halifax and serves on the MPI Atlantic Canada Chapter Board, regularly speaking at industry and university panels. Beyond her hospitality leadership, she operates independently as a strategic partner to entrepreneurs in bookkeeping, property management, and website development—stepping in as both problem-solver and growth architect. She's deeply connected to her Lebanese heritage—serving as Executive Assistant and Program Developer for the Lebanese Chamber of Commerce and leads the largest business event in eastern Canada, the Cedar & Maple Gala. Her work sits at the intersection of hospitality, business development, and community building—driving impact and long-term growth.
Amanda Rogers
Erin Trafford
Erin Trafford is the Founder and CEO of Story Studio Network, a communications and podcast strategy company that partners with organizations to build compelling brand narratives and media experiences. With over 20 years as a journalist, news anchor, radio host, and media producer, she brings deep insight into what makes storytelling cut through the noise. She works as a fractional communications leader, helping teams align messaging, coach junior staff, and integrate communications across channels—positioning it as both a leadership function and a growth engine, not just a marketing silo. Story Studio Network specializes in podcast production, brand storytelling, and content strategy, helping organizations own their narrative in a media-saturated world. She's also a certified somatic yoga coach, integrating embodiment and nervous system awareness into her work on communication and leadership.
Penny Taylor
Penny Taylor is the Owner and Principal Designer of Blossom Shops, a family-owned florist network she's been running since 1989 across four locations in Nova Scotia. She's Nova Scotia's only Certified Master Florist, studied at Dalhousie University, and graduated from Les Roches School for Hotel Management. She won the FTD Progressive Florist Award in 2004, was named Woman of Excellence in Entrepreneurship in 2008, and was a national nominee for the RBC Woman of Excellence Award in 2009 and 2010. Over 36 years, she's designed florals for state dinners for Queen Elizabeth II, the Swissair Memorial, the Juno Awards, World Figure Skating, and countless weddings and events. She built the business from scratch with her husband Colin, raised two sons, and now she's a proud grandmother. From one shop in Windsor to a regional network—Penny's been creating beauty for over three decades.
Sally Ng
Sally Ng is a Client Partner at the Business Development Bank of Canada and a highly respected entrepreneurship and community development leader across Atlantic Canada. She's a Board Director for the Halifax International Airport Authority—which contributes $4.2 billion annually to the provincial economy. She sits on the boards of Inspirit Foundation and Unity Community Centre, a 42,000-square-foot community hub she purchased in 2023 to preserve it as a community asset. She was the CEO of the Wallace McCain Institute, where she led strategic planning, raised $1.2 million in philanthropic donations, secured 3x more government funding than previous years, and embedded Indigenous education into programs for the first time in 15 years. She founded The Triple Effect, a consulting company focused on corporate innovation and entrepreneurial program development, and was the Founding Executive Director of Planet Hatch, where 25+ startups raised over $80 million. She holds an ICD.D designation, a Bachelor of Commerce from Mount Allison, and represented Canada at the G20 Young Entrepreneurs' Alliance Summit. She's a champion for inclusive business growth, ecosystem building, and strategic leadership across Atlantic Canada.
Zoey Boosey
Zoey Boosey is an entrepreneur and restaurateur who's shaped some of Halifax's most talked-about dining experiences as Founder and CEO of Beyond Hospitality Group- a female-owned restaurant and hospitality collective operating distinctive waterfront destinations. Originally from the UK, she relocated to Halifax and transitioned from managing Sea Smoke Restaurant & Bar to purchasing it, marking her shift from hospitality management to ownership. Since founding Beyond Hospitality Group in 2021, she's built a portfolio including Sea Smoke, Crème Halifax, a Parisian-inspired café and patisserie, and Vandal Doughnuts, known for inventive artisanal flavours. Last but not least, her portfolio also includes this beautiful restaurant where we're having this beautiful dinner tonight. Her leadership blends exceptional cuisine, thoughtful design, and community engagement, creating restaurants as cultural spaces that bring people together and support local suppliers and talent. She's committed to elevating Halifax's culinary scene with bold, contemporary concepts that keep evolving.
Kimberly King
Kimberly King is the Founder and CEO of LimeLight Group Inc., an events, speakers bureau, and talent-matchmaking company based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. With over 20 years in the meetings and events industry, she's helped corporate, nonprofit, and association clients across Canada design meaningful conferences and speaker-led experiences that actually connect people and amplify ideas. She's a founding board member and Past President of the Atlantic Canada Chapter of Meeting Professionals International, a member of the International Association of Speakers Bureaus, and holds the PCMA Digital Event Strategist designation. She studied Public Relations at Mount Saint Vincent University and completed training in Virtual Event & Meeting Management. LimeLight Group also gives back through community food-rescue partnerships, because for Kim, it's not just about events—it's about building connection and making clients the heroes of their own stories.
Dr. Fran Dunn
Fran Dunn is a wellness entrepreneur, yoga educator, and stress and sleep specialist with over 30 years of experience in healthcare and health promotion. A former exercise physiologist, she's the owner of Breathing Space Yoga Studio in Tantallon, Nova Scotia, where she helps busy professionals experiencing stress and burnout reclaim balance through breathwork, yoga, sleep optimization, and lifestyle habits. Through her platform Essentially Fran, she works with individuals seeking better sleep, reduced anxiety, and improved resilience, blending science-based health promotion with mindfulness and natural wellness practices. She's completed professional yoga teacher training and advanced certifications, and she's known locally for building community through wellness classes, workshops, and events in the Halifax and St. Margaret's Bay area. Her mission? Help people "breathe easier" and rediscover balance through simple, sustainable habits. She's encouraging lifestyle changes that support sleep, mental clarity, and resilience—one breath at a time.
Dr. Arunika Gunawardena
Dr. Arunika Gunawardena has been a Professor in the Department of Biology at Dalhousie University since 2006. Her expertise is in Plant Cell Biology, with a primary focus on programmed cell death. Her research has been funded by NSERC. She has won several awards for teaching, research and outreach. She's the current President of the Atlantic Science Links Association. Her mission? Engage and train undergraduate and graduate students in plant cell biology, mentor young scientists, especially women, and inspire the next generation to fall in love with STEM.
Caitlyn Hamblin
Caitlyn Hamblin has always been driven by one thing: supporting others. With over 15 years of experience, she began her career supporting executives and teams across Communications, Marketing, and Business Development, gaining hands-on experience in strategy and creative execution. She also served as President of the Atlantic Association of Administrative Professionals, where she chaired the Atlantic Board and sat on the National Board of Directors. Caitlyn launched Cait Collabs, a platform dedicated to collaborating with Canadian brands and user-generated content. Today, she works as a Creative Consultant, helping businesses, personal brands, and public figures feel supported in their marketing through social media and idea generation. Caitlyn is currently preparing to launch her next venture, a community and product-based brand centered on the idea that taking care of yourself is the foundation for supporting others.
Kaylin Amelia
Kaylin Amelia is a boudoir photographer and real estate agent who helps women reclaim their power and find the spaces they're meant to be in. Through her all-inclusive intimate boudoir sessions, she creates a sanctuary where women shed self-doubt, reconnect with their stories, and see themselves as bold, radiant, and remarkable—not through the lens of past experiences, but through the truth of who they are. Her work is rooted in healing, empowerment, and radical self-acceptance, defined by safety, compassion, and zero judgment. She believes boudoir isn't just about beautiful images—it's about awakening the fire within and helping every woman see herself the way the world already does. In real estate, she brings the same heart-centered approach to guiding clients through life's biggest transitions, helping people find not just houses, but homes, and step confidently into their next chapter. Kaylin doesn't just transform how women see themselves—she helps people claim the spaces they're meant to be in.