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Women in Entrepreneurship and Navigating the Path to Growth

Lean In Vancouver | Event Recap: 

 On Thursday, April 30, 2026, Lean In Vancouver hosted a sold-out event in collaboration with Vancouver Startup Week (VSW) and Convergence. The evening brought together founders and aspiring entrepreneurs to dive deep into the realities of the startup world. Moderated by Mikayla Stewart, our powerhouse panel shared their unique journeys, offering raw, relatable insights for every stage of the entrepreneurial path. 

Priya Tronsgard: Building with Purpose

As the Founder of Edify Learning Spaces and Co-Founder of WAKE Collective, Priya brought a wealth of knowledge on social impact and community building. Having helped launch over 200 companies, her insights into the Vancouver ecosystem highlighted how vital a robust support system is for first-time founders preparing to take the leap. 

Dr. Sherry Zhao: Scaling Science and Innovation

Dr. Sherry Zhao, Founder and CEO of Kalino Bio, provided a masterclass in blending scientific expertise with business acumen. Drawing from her diverse background, especially her leadership role at Mitacs, Sherry discussed the transition from academia to entrepreneurship. During the Q&A, Sherry also addressed the crossroads many aspiring founders face: the choice between the security of a stable career and the leap into the unknown. Her tangible advice provided a grounded perspective for those looking to turn a vision into a scalable reality. 

Shabnam Saeiarasi: Unlocking Growth and Capital

As Client Partner of BDC, Shabnam Saeiarasi demystified the various ways entrepreneurs can fund their companies, sharing insights on financing tools and where to find essential growth resources. Her advice was invaluable for founders looking to manage cash flow, and build long-term resilience.

Community Engagement

One of the highlights of the evening was the Q&A session. Our community didn’t shy away from the tough questions. Attendees had sought advice on:

  • When and how to decide to pivot into a startup and whether to leave a stable job under the current economic climate 
  • Navigating the choice between being a solopreneur or finding a co-founder
  • Practical steps on how to find a mentor 
  • Strategies for funding a company and identifying specific financial resources available to help new ventures scale

The Golden Nugget: Don’t wait for the “perfect” time to pivot; focus on building your support network and validating your idea while you are still in the planning phase. 

Celebrating Our Impact

  • A Sold-Out Success: We were thrilled to welcome a full house of approximately 65 attendees.
  • Growing our Circles: The impact of the evening extended well beyond the evening. Since we began promoting this event, we’ve welcomed 17 new community members into Lean In Vancouver’s BC Women in Entrepreneurship Circle.

With Gratitude

This event was made possible through the collaboration of our partners! A huge thank you to Vancouver Startup Week and Convergence for their support in bringing this community together. We also want to thank the Lean In Vancouver events, marketing and volunteer engagement teams for your generous contributions. Your work in securing speakers, managing the program, and centering women’s voices is what makes our network thrive!

Stay Connected

  • Join a Circle: If you are interested in joining a Lean In Vancouver Circle, including our newly growing BC Women in Entrepreneurship group, you can sign up directly through this page. Any questions, please contact Sneha Jain at sneha.jain@leanincanada.com.

Contact Us

  • Sponsorship Opportunities: Interested in supporting our programs to empower women professionals? We are looking for mission-aligned partners to collaborate on future projects. Reach out to Nemo Anyudan Zhao at nemo.anyudan.zhao@leanincanada.com to learn more.

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