SPEAKERS

Keynote Speaker

Manjit Minhas
Co-Founder of Minhas Brewery, Distillery and Winery | Owner of the 10th Largest Brewery in the World

Award-winning entrepreneur and business mogul Manjit Minhas knows what it takes to defy the odds and thrive in an industry dominated by men. At only 19, Manjit co-founded Minhas Brewery, Distillery and Winery, becoming the youngest brewery owner in the world—it’s now the 10th largest brewery in North America. A powerful leader and speaker, Manjit uses her success to clear a path for all entrepreneurs of every age and gender. In smart, engaging talks, she shares the secrets that every business leader needs to know: from the right way to set goals (and why you might be doing it wrong), to finding a mentor who can bring the best out of you (and why even CEOs need mentors). Audiences walk away from her talks inspired and equipped to find breakthrough success in any industry.

Minhas will speak at 1pm on February 26, 2026 at the event.

MORE ABOUT MANJIT

Speakers for 2026

Inspiring you with real stories from real people.

Epic Fails Panel

Chris Ewen, Founder of Perk Mobile Coffee Bar
Amanda Buhse, Founder & CEO of Coal & Canary
Mathieu Manaigre, Founder of Upsociate

Not every success story is built on smooth sailing and some of the most valuable business lessons come from the moments that didn’t go as planned.

Join us for an honest and entertaining panel moderated by BDC, featuring three Manitoba business owners (to be announced soon) who will share their biggest missteps, unexpected challenges, and “wish-we’d-known-then” moments. From costly decisions to growing pains and operational setbacks, panelists will unpack what went wrong, how they navigated the fallout, and the practical lessons that ultimately made their businesses stronger.

Panelists include:

Chris Ewen, Founder of Perk Mobile Coffee Bar

Chris Ewen is a community-focused leader, currently serving as the Mayor of the RM of Ritchot. He was first elected in 2017 and was the youngest mayor ever elected in the province.

In addition to his work in local government, Chris is a passionate small-business owner. He is the owner of PERK Mobile Coffee Bar, a popular mobile café serving great coffee throughout communities in Manitoba & across Canada. Previously, he also operated CAPO coffee lounge in Ile des Chenes & Niverville.

Chris blends his entrepreneurial spirit with civic leadership, advocating for community growth, stronger local connections, and opportunity for residents across Ritchot.

Amanda Buhse, Founder & CEO of Coal & Canary

Amanda Buhse is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and the creative force behind Coal and Canary. With just $40 and a bold vision, she built a multimillion-dollar brand that’s been featured by Forbes, The Globe and Mail, Good Morning America, Elle Magazine and even at the GRAMMYs, Oscars, and Emmys.

Mathieu Manaigre, Founder of Upsociate

Mathieu is the founder of Upsociate and helps service business owners get out of their own way and move forward with clarity. After building and selling his own business, he now works with entrepreneurs who’ve built something real but feel the quiet weight of too many open decisions. Through a structured community, clear planning rhythms, and real accountability, Upsociate turns intention into momentum. Less noise, fewer maybes, and progress that actually sticks.

Building Brands that Connect

Amanda Buhse, Coal & Canary

Amanda Buhse is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and the creative force behind Coal and Canary. Starting with just $40 and a bold vision, Amanda built the company into a multimillion-dollar brand that has been featured by Forbes, The Globe and Mail, Good Morning America, Elle Magazine, and showcased at the GRAMMYs, Oscars, and Emmys.

In her presentation, Amanda will draw on her firsthand experience building a beloved consumer brand. She explores how authenticity, consistency, and a deep understanding of your customer can transform a business and build lasting loyalty.

Amanda currently serves as Chair of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2024 winner of the Female-Led Award at the Women of Inspiration Awards in New York City. She has also been recognized as Female Entrepreneur of the Year (WBOM), recipient of the Contribution to the Community Award, and a two-time Spirit of Winnipeg Award winner.

Cybersecurity in the Modern Workplace

Andrew Pratt, The WolfStrata Group

As a business owner, you work hard to grow your brand, connect with customers, and build a reputation. But cyber threats can jeopardize all of it in an instant. Protecting your business from online risks is crucial—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Learn from cybersecurity veteran Andrew Pratt, who brings more than 30 years of frontline IT leadership across Manitoba and Canada. Packed with real-world experience and stories that sound unbelievable (until you realize they’re true), this session delivers practical lessons to help you stay ahead of today’s online threats.

Key takeaways:

What business owners need to know about phishing, vishing, and data‑theft scams
Lessons from recent local cyber incidents: what attackers look for and why
Cybersecurity for small and mid-sized businesses: realistic steps that work
How AI is transforming cybercrime and how everyday citizens can keep up

This is a presentation you don’t want to miss. Come for the stories, leave with the knowledge to protect what matters most.

Bio:

With more than 30 years of progressive leadership in Information Technology, Andrew Pratt has seen it all. From the early days of network security to today’s ever‑evolving cyber threat landscape, Andrew brings a unique perspective on how technology has fundamentally changed the way organizations of all sizes operate and protect themselves.

Andrew specializes in delivering solutions in IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, public/private cloud environments, data governance, and GIS integration that are both innovative and pragmatic. He brings deep experience working with organizations across the non‑profit, environmental, and agricultural sectors.

Andrew is the Executive Vice President at The WolfStrata Group, a Manitoba-based IT solutions provider specializing in cybersecurity. He also serves as President of the CIO Association of Canada, Manitoba Chapter.

How to Pay Yourself Smarter

Josee Bremault Robert, Oneiric Financial Inc.

In this session, CPA and financial planner Josee Bremault Robert breaks down how business owners can strategically pay themselves through salary, dividends, or a combination of both. Josee explores the tax implications of owner remuneration, cash-flow structuring, and how these decisions impact long-term goals such as retirement and future business transitions. Attendees will leave with practical insights and frameworks to better align their business income with personal financial planning.

Josee Bremault Robert is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Qualified Associate Financial Planner who works with business owners and professionals seeking clarity and confidence in their financial decisions. As a fee-only financial planner and accountant, she provides comprehensive, advice-only planning that integrates tax strategy, owner remuneration, retirement planning, business structuring, and personal wealth management into a clear, actionable roadmap.

As the founder of Oneiric Financial Inc., Josee specializes in helping entrepreneurs navigate complex financial decisions with intention—aligning business strategy with long-term personal goals. She is known for her practical, educational approach that empowers business owners to make informed decisions today while building sustainable wealth for the future.

AI for Business

Carl Heller, Instructor at Buller School of Business, Providence University College

This session explores why artificial intelligence has rapidly become a must-know tool and how small businesses can use it in practical, everyday ways. The session covers real-world applications such as creating social media content, summarizing and responding to emails, handling common customer inquiries, and analyzing spreadsheets to save time and improve decision-making. You’ll also learn key safety and privacy considerations, how to get started with confidence, and see a live demonstration of AI in action. The presentation wraps up with an open Q&A to address your specific questions and ideas.

Senior Software Architect at VieCure & Instructor at Providence University College

Based in Lorette, Manitoba, Carl Heller has spent over 25 years at the forefront of healthcare software development. As a Senior Software Architect at VieCure, he uses Artificial Intelligence to help doctors solve complex problems in the oncology precision medicine space. Carl is passionate about making these powerful tools understandable and accessible for everyone.

This year, Carl joined the faculty at Providence University College as a sessional instructor, where he teaches Foundations of AI for Business and Managing the Digital Enterprise. He is dedicated to helping rural business owners and students move past the "hype" of AI to find practical, ethical ways to improve their daily work. Carl believes that you don’t need to be a tech giant to benefit from modern tools—you just need a clear starting point and a local partner to show you the way.

Ask the Experts

Taxes, financial planning and so much more

Looking for practical advice you can actually use in your business? Ask the Experts is an interactive breakout experience designed to connect you directly with seasoned professionals who understand the challenges (and opportunities) facing entrepreneurs today.

Attendees will rotate through small-group conversations with experts across key areas.
Whether you’re navigating cash flow, preparing for growth, or fine-tuning your next move, this session offers a rare chance to ask real questions and get real answers tailored to your business.

Experts to include:

- CRA: Taxes

- Oneiric Financial: Financial Planning

- BDC: Business Financing Solutions

- People Corporation: HR & Insurance Solutions

- CDEM

Coach on the Couch

Nicole Dubé, DUBÉ MEDIA Consulting & Storytelling

New this year, Coach on the Couch offers attendees the opportunity to book a private, one-on-one coaching session with Nicole Dubé – professional emcee, keynote speaker, and media coach.

In these focused sessions, participants will receive personalized guidance on topics such as:

Clarifying your business story and brand
Pitching with confidence
Media and public speaking readiness
Overcoming common growth roadblocks

Spaces are limited and advance registration is required.

PURCHASE TICKETS