The newest Rise cohort brings together 18 founders who are creating new pathways to opportunity while addressing challenges that affect individuals, families, and communities. Their work spans education, health and wellness, workforce development, creative industries, technology, financial literacy, and community-building.
Over the next eight months, they will strengthen their ventures through one-on-one coaching, peer learning, and access to resources designed to support sustainable growth. Meet the founders of Rise Cohort 9 and learn how they are building a more connected and inclusive future.
Aman Wraich | Free the Yoga Project
Aman Wraich is the founder of Free the Yoga Inc., a social-impact wellness venture that makes yoga more accessible to communities often excluded from traditional wellness spaces. As a certified yoga instructor and community leader, she developed a model where corporate wellness programs fund free, trauma-informed yoga classes for underserved populations. Free the Yoga partners with community organizations and cultural institutions, like the Art Gallery of Mississauga, to support physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
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Andrea France | Moms Niagara Inc.
Andrea France is the founder of Moms Niagara Inc., a community platform that supports mothers through connection, wellness, and peer support. Her experience as a new parent led her to create an organization that now brings together thousands of mothers across the Niagara Region through events, workshops, fitness programs, and online communities. Through initiatives such as Mama Bear Wellness and the Aspire Business Collective, Moms Niagara creates opportunities for women to connect, grow, and thrive.
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Giovanna Bendezu | GSEMMA Printing Services
Giovanna Bendezu is a Peruvian-Canadian entrepreneur, engineer, educator, and founder of Handcraft Gemmas and GSEMMA Printing Services. She creates custom apparel, gifts, and 3D-printed products inspired by Peruvian Chicha Art, drawing on technology, creativity, and cultural pride. Through her brand, she champions LGBTQ+ inclusion with apparel, ally merchandise, and personalized gifts designed to foster belonging and community connection.
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Jireh Lau | Lokal Digital Solutions
Jireh Lau is the founder and CEO of Lokal Digital Solutions, a hyperlocal marketing agency that helps small businesses compete with larger brands. Combining experience in digital media and customer analytics, he has built a network of indoor digital billboards across the Greater Toronto Area. Beyond digital signage, Lokal Digital Solutions provides website design, social media management, paid advertising, and local search optimization to help businesses increase their visibility and reach.
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Kamille Smith | FitnanceIQ Services
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Lavina Fernandes | Enertia Worldwide Inc
Lavina Fernandes is the co-founder of Enertia Worldwide, a rewards, loyalty, and fulfillment technology company that helps businesses strengthen customer engagement. With over 15 years of experience in banking and business operations, Lavina manages and drives a platform that simplifies loyalty programs, rewards, payouts, gifting, and fulfillment. Serving manufacturers, distributors, and employee gifting programs, Enertia helps organizations streamline reward experiences and strengthen relationships with customers and employees.
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Leah Carr | The Wealth Table
Leah Carr is the founder of The Wealth Table, a social enterprise that helps young girls build financial confidence, leadership skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Drawing on more than 15 years of People & Culture leadership, an Executive MBA, and her lived experience as an immigrant and mother, Leah created the The Wealth Table to help close the financial literacy gap for young girls. The organization has reached more than 300 girls across Ontario through programs that combine financial literacy, investing, entrepreneurship, and confidence-building.
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Lorna Kennedy Murray | Image and Etiquette Consulting
Lorna Kennedy Murray is the founder of Lorna Inspires Image & Etiquette Consulting, a coaching and training business that helps individuals and organizations build confidence, credibility, and executive presence. With more than 20 years of experience and certification in image consulting, etiquette, and workplace relational skills, she works with professionals, entrepreneurs, youth, newcomers, and couples. Through coaching, workshops, dining etiquette experiences, and executive presence training, Lorna helps clients strengthen their communication, professional presence, and interpersonal skills.
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Luisa Montoya | Alliance Cleaning
Luisa Montoya is the founder of Alliance Cleaning, a purpose-driven social enterprise providing residential and commercial cleaning services across Canada. An immigrant entrepreneur with a background in accounting, finance, and business operations, Lisa built the company to create dignified, fair-wage employment and career growth opportunities for immigrant women. Alliance Cleaning combines high-quality, eco-friendly cleaning with ongoing training and community support, driving positive social impact and creating economic opportunities while delivering exceptional service to its clients.
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Luis Pedro Cabrera Muñoz | Promotify Canada
Luis Pedro Cabrera Muñoz is the co-founder of Promotify Canada, a Cooksville-based centralized brand-media solutions company that helps organizations manage assets that shape how they are seen, experienced, and remembered. Through its centralized partnership model, Promotify brings brand-media assets often managed through fragmented relationships under one strategic partner, supporting organizations from planning through execution. Luis works closely with clients to provide strategic guidance and hands-on leadership. His approach is grounded in long-term relationships, community growth, and helping meaningful ideas become reality.
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Maheshi Wanasundara | Musey
Maheshi Wanasundara is the founder of Musey, a social enterprise that connects people with culture, creativity, and sustainability through ethical products, educational experiences, and community events. Drawing on her background in community development, design, and entrepreneurship, Maheshi built a platform that amplifies artisans, makers, and small businesses often overlooked by traditional retail channels. Through workshops, markets, curated subscription experiences, and initiatives such as Sustainable Fashion Week Canada, Musey promotes conscious consumerism while celebrating cultural stories and sustainable living.
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Mercedes Blackwood | Black Coffee Communications Inc
Mercedes Blackwood is the founder of Black Coffee Communications Inc., a marketing and communications firm that works with startups, cooperatives, nonprofits, and enterprise organizations across Canada. Through her Pivot Methodology©, she helps organizations define their value proposition, develop a clear brand voice, and communicate with confidence. Using guided strategy sessions, practical tools, and a collaborative approach, Black Coffee Communications helps clients strengthen their messaging and build a strong foundation for growth.
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Ronald Gould | Sideways66
Ronald is a musician, songwriter, and founder of Sideways66, a music production venture creating original music for podcasts, video content, commercials, film, and television. With four decades of experience creating music, Ronald brings a lifelong passion for songwriting and production to his work. Guided by the belief that great music can help tell stories, build brands, and create memorable experiences, he combines digital production with his skills as a vocalist, guitarist, and pianist to transform creative ideas into professional recordings.
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Rushikesh Patel | SIMPLYLOOSE TECNOSYS INC
Rushikesh Patel is the founder and CEO of SimplyLoose Tecnosys Inc., a Canadian health-tech company developing AI-powered preventive healthcare solutions. Drawing on expertise in software engineering, artificial intelligence, IoT, and digital health, he leads the development of Kanata Health AI, a platform that provides personalized support across nutrition, fitness, sleep, and wellness. Through wearable integration, real-time health monitoring, and AI-driven insights, SimplyLoose helps individuals and healthcare providers make more informed health decisions and support ongoing care.
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Sarita Bhind | The Tea Poet
Sarita Bhind is the founder of The Tea Poet, a premium loose-leaf tea company inspired by her family’s tea garden and more than 20 years of experience as a Tea Master. After a career in tea sourcing, blending, and product development, she launched The Tea Poet to share handcrafted teas rooted in quality, flavour, and tea culture. The company offers curated green teas, black teas, herbal infusions, and fruit blends, complemented by educational experiences and e-commerce offerings that help customers explore and enjoy specialty tea.
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Tania Sheikh | Tania Sheikh Studio
Tania Sheikh is an interior designer, artisan furniture creator, and founder of Tania Sheikh Studio, a design venture that creates handcrafted furniture and functional art pieces. Drawing on more than six years of international design experience and her education at Sheridan College, she combines contemporary design with traditional craftsmanship. Working with skilled artisans, Tania creates bespoke and collection-based furniture for hospitality, commercial, and residential spaces while helping preserve heritage-making techniques. Through her work, she promotes sustainability, cultural storytelling, and the value of human-made design.
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Vanessa Kesse | Winston’s Corner
Vanessa Kesse is a pet wellness entrepreneur and the founder of Winston’s Corner, a GTA-based venture that supports pets and their owners through pet care services, socialization experiences, and wellness products. With more than five years of experience as a pet sitter and handler, she provides personalized care tailored to the needs of each pet. Inspired by the growing need for pet socialization and owner support, Vanessa created Winston’s Corner to bring these services together under one community-focused brand. The venture offers in-home pet care, guided socialization experiences, and wellness treats to support pets and their owners.
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Vinay Tailor | Inspirely Education
Vinay Tailor is a mentor at Inspirely Education, a Canadian STEM education company that helps young people explore STEM and career pathways through hands-on learning. Led by two young inventors, ages 12 and 14, who hold six patents between them, Inspirely delivers STEM programs, educational events, school fundraisers, and community initiatives that engage students and families. Working with schools, camps, parent councils, and community organizations, Inspirely creates opportunities for young people to develop creativity, problem-solving skills, and real-world learning experiences. The organization aims to help young people develop the confidence and skills to become future leaders.
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Rise is a program for social entrepreneurs ready to scale their impact enterprises at an accelerated pace. This project is funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). For more information, visit the program page or email us at edge@sheridancollege.ca.
