Garden of Growth - Women's Symposium

Garden of Growth – Women's Symposium 2025

Presented by the Richmond Hill Board of Trade

Date: Wednesday, 19th, November, 2025.

Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Location: Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites, 175 Wynford Dr, North York, ON M3C 1J3

About the Event:

Join us for the 2025 Women in Business Symposium, themed "Garden of Growth." This empowering event brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to celebrate the diverse journeys and strengths of women in business. Through impactful keynotes, insightful panels, and dynamic networking, attendees will gain inspiration, tools, and connections to support personal and professional growth.

Master of Ceremonies

Linda Scott

Linda Stott is a communications and marketing professional with extensive experience across both the private and public sectors. A graduate of Glendon College, York University, with a bilingual degree in English and French, she also holds a Hospitality and Tourism degree from Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson).

Her career began in hospitality and tourism sales before transitioning to marketing for the City of Richmond Hill at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. She later joined the City of Markham, where she has held multiple roles, including marketing for the Flato Markham Theatre and supporting the Markham Small Business Centre during COVID. Today, Linda serves as Senior Advisor, Communications and Marketing for the City of Markham, leading internal and external campaigns across departments.

An entrepreneur at heart, Linda has also operated several home-based businesses and brings a strong passion for sales and marketing to everything she does.

Amy Siu

Keynote Speaker

Business Centre Manager, Markham Region – Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

With over 25 years of experience in the banking industry, Amy Siu brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and passion to her role as Business Centre Manager at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), serving the Markham Region. Throughout her career, Amy has been a steadfast champion of Canadian entrepreneurship, working closely with startups and established businesses to deliver tailored financial solutions and strategic guidance that drive sustainable growth.

Amy’s commitment to business success extends beyond the boardroom. She is a familiar face at industry events, workshops, and seminars, where she shares her insights and expertise with fellow professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs. Her ability to connect, inspire, and empower others has made her a respected voice in the business community. She actively volunteers with local organizations, dedicating her time and knowledge to initiatives that uplift underserved communities and promote inclusive economic opportunities.

Dr. Michelle Xiu

Guest Speaker

Optometrist, Bright Eyes Optometry

Dr. Michelle Xiu received her Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto and completed her Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Waterloo.

During her training, she completed externships in Scarborough and Kitchener, gaining clinical experience in ocular disease, pediatrics, binocular vision, contact lenses, and refractive surgery co-management.

Since graduation, Dr. Xiu has worked extensively in both clinical and community settings, helping patients of all ages achieve optimal vision. She has a special interest in myopia control and is licensed to fit specialty contact lenses, including orthokeratology lenses (Ortho-K).

Dr. Xiu takes a personalized approach to eye care, ensuring each patient receives tailored treatment and advice based on their unique needs. She stays current with the latest advancements in eye health and technology to provide the highest standard of care.

Fluent in English and Mandarin, Dr. Xiu currently practices at Bright Eyes Optometry, located in Markham at the intersection of Warden & Steeles. The clinic offers comprehensive eye exams, myopia control, dry-eye management, and a wide selection of glasses and contact lenses — including the latest AI smart glasses.

Angela Rosa

Panelist

Angela Rosa is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AMR Services, where she brings over 35 years of unwavering expertise in accounting and bookkeeping. Angela's career is a masterclass in building a business on the pillars of excellence, integrity, and genuine client partnership. She is renowned for helping individuals and businesses not just achieve, but sustainably secure, their financial success.

Her comprehensive expertise spans the full financial lifecycle, from strategic business set-up, customized bookkeeping and payroll, to complex personal and corporate income tax returns. Angela also specializes in establishing robust internal financial controls, maintaining Corporate Minute Books, and developing forward-thinking financial reporting plans.

As both a QuickBooks Pro Advisor and a Sage 50 Consultant, Angela seamlessly combines deep technical proficiency with the kind of personalized client care that only decades of experience can provide. Her professional foundation was built through impactful roles at esteemed organizations, including a prominent Chartered Accounting firm, major Canadian financial institution, and a leading insurance company, and professional law firms.

A distinguished graduate of Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology, Angela’s leadership continues to earn recognition. She was recently honoured with the 2025 Business Achievement Award for Professional Services by the Richmond Hill Board of Trade, where she now actively serves as a Director.

Beyond her thriving business, Angela's commitment to service shines through the Rosa Family Foundation, which she founded in 2025. This charitable organization is dedicated to community impact through initiatives like food and toy drives, free tax clinics, and vital hospital comfort programs.

Angela’s guiding philosophy is the heart of AMR Services' relationship-first approach:

“You deserve better than an April 30 one-night stand. We’re here for a relationship — as part of your team. If something goes wrong, we’ll always be here to help. You are not just a number to us.”

Guided by her personal motto, “There is no magic potion. Determination, perseverance, patience, and balance between family and business is what gets me through,” Angela continues to inspire others with her unwavering resilience and belief that true success is built through both heart and hard work.

Usha Srinivasan

Panelist

Usha Srinivasan is the Founder and CEO of BReady.ai, a talent platform connecting immigrants and underrepresented communities to meaningful employment. She previously led the Brampton Venture Zone at Toronto Metropolitan University, launching and managing the incubator for five years. A seasoned innovation leader, she held senior roles at Elevate Tech Fest and MaRS Discovery District. Usha has co-founded ventures in foodtech, retail, and music, and is an angel investor and LP at Flair Ventures. She holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences, a BSc from the University of Bristol, and has completed the Stanford LEAD Corporate Innovation program.

Dr. Guang Ying Mo

Panelist

Dr. Guang Ying Mo (she/her), Director of Research, Diversity Institute

Dr. Guang Ying Mo obtained her PhD in Sociology from the University of Toronto. Her research fields are organizational communication, collaboration and innovation, social support for underrepresented groups, and social media. Her expertise also lies in research design, mix-methods, and social network analysis. Prior to joining the Diversity Institute, she conducted research projects on organizational communication and technology use by underrepresented groups, such as older adults, adolescents, and caregivers of people with dementia. Her current work is focusing on entrepreneurship and employment equity for underrepresented groups.

Event Agenda:

• 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Registration, Breakfast & Networking

• 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Welcome Remarks & Keynote Speaker

• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch

• 1:03 PM- 1:18 PM: Guest Speaker

• 1:20 PM – 2:10 PM: Panel Discussion & Q&A

• 2:10 PM- 2:30 PM Final Remarks

• 2:30 PM- 3:00 PM: Networking.

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I consent to receive, via email, information about business advice, solutions, and events from BDC, located at 5 Place Ville Marie, Ground Floor, Montreal, Quebec H3B 2G2, www.bdc.ca, 1-877-232-2269. I understand that I can withdraw my consent at any time. - Je consens à recevoir par courriel des renseignements sur les conseils d’affaires, les solutions et les événements de la part de BDC, située au 5, Place Ville Marie, rez-de-chaussée, Montréal, Québec H3B 2G2, www.bdc.ca, 1 877 232-2269. Je peux révoquer mon consentement à tout moment.

Photo Disclaimer:

By attending this event, you consent to be photographed or filmed. Images may be used by RHBOT for promotional purposes. Contact details may be shared with fellow attendees for networking.