Page 2
Our Members
Happy Holidays
  • December 5, 2022

It was wonderful to see so many of you at our Annual Holiday Party!

This year we decided to do a group donation to a local charity and chose Monica Place. They offer two shelters that home young mothers 12-21, many of whom are victims of sex trafficking and sexual assault. They give them a safe home, have a high school and daycare on site, and offer multiple services and programs to support and rehabilitate the victims. A deserving and essential service in our community.

Our Members

We also packed up the leftover food and were able to donate it to Lutherwood.

We are so fortunate to have a kind and generous group who support one another, and also help support the causes that are dear to us. Last evening was a testimony to that kindness.

“Ah, kindness. What a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found in the world.” -A. A. Malee

Thank you to...
...those who were able to contribute to Monica Place.
...Rachelle Garcia who has been working hard collecting items and cash donations to buy much needed items.
...Joanne Atkins for organizing the evening and for all our “Facinators” for the group picture. Evenings to not happen without exceptional leadership and organizing.
...Nancy Koebel for your kind offer to deliver the food to Lutherwood.
...Karen Savage for making the contact @ Lutherwood for us!

We raised $500 to spend. And that doesn't include the purchased donations that were brought to the party. WOWZERS, KWBWA!!



Guest Speaker: Sue Meertens
Guest Speaker
  • November 24, 2022

Today, Sue Meertens talked to us about the power of healing touch and energy healing, and even walked us through a short exercise to relieve anxiety and stress.

Sue is a Certified Eden Energy Medicine and Healing Touch Practitioner.

Once in the Corporate Marketing and Sales Management field, she found her passion for Energy Medicine mid life, and currently has remote and in person practice based in Cambridge.

The goal of this nurturing healing is to restore balance in your energy system, which supports your body's natural ability to heal. It's safe, effective and everyone can benefit.



Our Members
Guest Speakers
  • October 27, 2022
Guest Speakers

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Christina and Teri from 21 Tours + Events Co. Inc as our guest speakers today.

21 Tours + Events

They offer curated group excursions all along Hwy 21 on the Huron coast.

Want a wine tour? A helicopter ride to dinner? A weekend cottage getaway?

Just tell them what you’re looking for and they will build a tailored experience for your group.

These fabulous and vibrant women quit their jobs and built a business out of their passions.

Check them out!
Website: https://21tourseventsco.ca/




Readers Choice Award Winners
KW Record Readers Choice 2022
  • October 27, 2022

Congratulations to #kwbwa members on their Readers Choice Award 2022!


  • @karensavage.heffners of @heffnertoyota: Best Auto Salesperson - Diamond
  • @marie_d_wolf of @promysehomecare: Senior Services - Diamond
    Best Home Health Care - Platinum

Way to go ladies!!!

Another Great Meeting
Another Great Lunch!
  • September 29, 2022

Another great lunch with the Kitchener-Waterloo Business Women's Association at Charcoal Steakhouse. Today, President Rachelle Garcia led us through a discussion of the results of a recent survey of our members.As business resumes "post COVID", we are looking to make changes to our organization. We have decided to meet biweekly, and will resume having guest speakers. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to us.

Back Together
Back Together!
  • September 15, 2022

The KWBWA members spent time catching up at our first networking lunch after much time apart. After the initial mingling, each member spoke about changes in their business or industry from the past 2 years. We look forward to seeing each more regularly, as we plan to meet biweekly, going forward this fall. We are meeting at Charcoal Steak House on Thursdays at noon. Guests are always welcome.



Guest Speaker -  Stefanie Bruinsma
Guest Speaker
  • June 30, 2022

We can’t say enough about how awesome it was to have Stefanie Bruinsma of AutoCate visit us today! This firecracker of an entrepreneur has faced constant sexism in the auto industry, yet she knew what her passion was and kept pushing and learning. And now she is on a mission to educate women about vehicles so we don’t feel intimidated by mechanics. Check. Her. Out. You will love her. And she’s going to move mountains.

Website: https://autocate.ca/



Guest Speaker -  Stephanie Soulis
Guest Speaker
  • May 26, 2022

It was such a pleasure hearing from Stephanie Soulis of Little Mushroom Catering on Thursday. What an inspiring story of what hard work, determination, passion and good corporate values can lead to. Chances are if you’ve been to a locally owned restaurant or event, you’ve eaten her food (and enjoyed it).

Check out Little Mushroom for your next catered event https://littlemushroomcatering.ca/



Women of the Year in the Group CategoryWomen of the Year in the Group Category
Rogers Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Women of the Year in the Group Category
  • May 18, 2022

We were happy to announce that KWBWA had been nominated for Rogers Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Women of the Year in the Group Category on May 3rd, we didn't win. But, there were some really impressive 72 record breaking nominees! Congratulations to all the winners!

Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest has been proudly bringing the Rogers Women of the Year awards to our community for nearly five decades.

Women of the Year in the Group Category




Guest Speaker
  • April 28, 2022
Guest Speaker - Dr. Jill Stoddart

Dr. Jill Stoddart, Director of Research, Development and Outcomes for Family and Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region. As part of her role manages Family and Children’s Services Foundation. Family & Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region Foundation supports children, youth, and families in our community through the lens of prevention.

Guest Speaker - Dr. Jill Stoddart

Her experience in multiple sectors serving children and families has led to positive changes in the provision of evidenced-based services ranging from resilience promotion for children and youth to decolonizing trauma based parenting programs for specific cultural groups.

Website: https://www.facswaterloo.org/



Out of the Box LuncheonOut of the Box Luncheon
Out of the Box Luncheon
  • April 14, 2022

Another successful Out of the Box lunch tour at the Family Centre of Family and Children's Services of Waterloo Region. Dr Jill Stoddart, the Director of Research, Development and Outcomes at Family and Children’s Services, was our tour guide. She was a wealth of knowledge as she showed us this beautiful building.and learned about the incredible work they do in our community to help support the special charitable needs of children and their families!

Website: https://www.facswaterloo.org/



Guest Speaker
  • March 31, 2022
Guest Speaker - Maya Grubisic,  French Programming Manager of Artshine/Arts4All

Arts4all is a Canadian non-profit business that is funded by sister company, Artshine, a fast-growing social enterprise. Together, Arts4all and Artshine are dedicated to creating and providing art programming to communities, where participation in the arts is not limited by location, age, ability, income, or life circumstances.

Maya Grubisic, French Programming Manager of Artshine/Arts4All believes that education happens everywhere and can be for everyone.

For Maya, teaching the visual arts embodies this belief: art education is an asset to all by providing them with a common cultural language. Not all students will become artists, but by being exposed to a variety of educational experiences including the arts, they will learn that there are many ways of understanding the world around them.

Website: www.artshine.ca


Lunch Out
Lunch Out
  • March 24, 2022

Our KWBWA met for lunch at the Charcoal Steak House It was so wonderful to be able to go out and see each other again. The food was delicious and the conversation was lively.


We left with our hearts and bellies full!



Guest Speaker
  • February 24, 2022
Guest Speaker - Dan Vandermolen - CHANGE Lifestyle & Apparel

Today Dan Vandermolen of CHANGE Lifestyle & Apparel spoke to our group about using his life experiences, his passion for community-building and his love of the environment!

Thank you Dan for taking time from your busy schedule to be our guest speaker!.

Dan’s goal with CHANGE is to bring people together, support and build community while offering only B Corp certified sustainable goods. By selling only B Corp certified brands CHANGE can participate in a sustainable way of doing business. Plus, through a personal belief in the power of community and giving back, donating 10% of proceeds to a local charity, means that they can affect change at home.

Visit www.changeapparel.ca for more information on how Dan and his team are working hard to grow support of local charities across Canada.



Guest Speakers
  • January 27, 2022

Thank you to everyone that was able to join our KWBWA Zoom meeting today. Tracy Van Kalsbeek and Dawne Taylor-Gilders are two busy ladies at the Uptown Waterloo BIA..

Guest Speakers - Tracy Van Kalsbeek and Dawne Taylor-GildersThe prime mandate of the Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area (BIA) is to promote and beautify the core area of Waterloo:

  • Forum for concerns and issues – provide advocacy
  • Conduit for communication
  • Place-making and beautification
  • Promotional and marketing initiatives
  • Encourage visitors and stimulate economic growth
  • Events, festivals and other destination initiatives

Visit the Uptown BIA website, www.uptownwaterloobia.com for more information to see how they are building for the future!



Special Offer
  • January 27, 2022
Free Massage @ Trios Massage Clinic

Sharon Sweeney of triOS College is extremely happy to announce our Massage Clinic will be reopening. So, we invite you, family, and friends to book online your 60-minute FREE massage treatment as soon as possible. This offer (FREE) will be maintained until March 31, 2022, inclusive.

Our Student Massage Therapists can help you boost your energy, improve your concentration, and overall relax and relieve sore muscles! We look forward to seeing you! Our NEW … Massage Clinic is located at Kitchener, 235 King Street N2G 4N5, on the 3rd floor.

Your FREE massage session is one click away... https://trioscollegemassage.janeapp.com/

If you have any questions, please contact our campus at 519-578-0838 x 1300.



Special Offer
  • January 6, 2022
Nancy Kobel

For a limited time, Canada Life is offering some of the lowest rates with a premium discount on new qualifying Canada Life My Term life insurance policies. Discounts are 15% on a 10-year term policy and 10% on all other term insurance policies. (Valid until January 31st)

Contact Nancy Koebel
...for a special offer on life insurance!
Website: lyfestyle.ca