2026 Women In Business Breakfast
Join the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce for The Difference Makers: Women in Business Breakfast presented by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation on Friday, March 6th (in celebration on International Women's Day).
Registration opens at 7:30am, with presentations beginning at 8:00am.
The event will feature a panel discussion with local business and professional women from a variety of industries who will share experiences, success stories and advice to help inspire and support businesswomen in Sault Ste. Marie.
We will also present the ATHENA Leadership Award, sponsored by Sault College and the ATHENA Young Professional Award, sponsored by Enbridge.
Registration opens at 7:30am, with presentations beginning at 8:00am.
The event will feature a panel discussion with local business and professional women from a variety of industries who will share experiences, success stories and advice to help inspire and support businesswomen in Sault Ste. Marie.
We will also present the ATHENA Leadership Award, sponsored by Sault College and the ATHENA Young Professional Award, sponsored by Enbridge.
Meet our Panelists
Meet Nelda Rimmer... A long-time community connector and local sales professional, Nelda began her career in advertising sales in 1978 as a classified clerk at The Sault Star. Through her dedication, leadership and commitment to her clients, what began as an entry-level position quickly grew into a long and successful career. Nelda moved up into a management position and later into outside sales, where her natural passion for helping people achieve their goals truly shone. Nelda was not only one of the first women in leadership in the company but also held the title of top sales representative for several years running.After 38 years with the same company, she took a bold leap of faith. Upon meeting with Village Media’s CEO and being inspired by the company’s strong local focus and deep commitment to building real community relationships, Nelda began the next chapter of her career at SooToday in 2016. In 2019, Nelda accepted the role of Regional Sales Manager for Village Media’s North region. She now leads a talented sales team that helps local businesses share their message with Sault Ste. Marie’s largest local audience while also supporting important reinvestment initiatives such as Random Acts of Kindness, Community Builders Awards, and community match fundraising campaigns.
Having worked in the industry for 48 years, Nelda takes great pride in being part of the positive change she has witnessed. When she began her career, there were almost 200 employees at The Sault Star and no women in management. Today, at Village Media, women hold eight senior management positions, a reflection of how far things have come. Nelda's love for Sault Ste. Marie and her belief in supporting local business continues to inspire the work that she does each day.
Meet Theresa Mudge... Theresa is a health care leader, educator, and community builder guided by a simple belief: when we give our time, care, and leadership, everyone gains – stronger people, stronger organizations, and stronger communities.With more than 20 years of leadership experience across hospital, hospice, and post-secondary sectors, Theresa has led major strategic initiatives, national accreditations, and multi-million-dollar fundraising efforts. She currently serves as Professor and Coordinator of the Health Care Leadership program at Sault College, where she empowers future leaders to think boldly, act with integrity, and elevate those around them.
A Certified Health Executive, Theresa is passionate about developing others, building high-performing cultures, and creating lasting community impact. She is also a proud mom and long-distance runner who brings the same spirit of resilience and purpose to every aspect of her life.
Meet Teresa Martone... Teresa ’s career has always been rooted in service and shaped by a belief learned early on: it’s all about relationships, even as the setting has evolved. Trained in software development during the Y2K era, she began her career at the forefront of the digital shift before spending 20 years in senior client service roles within the advertising and marketing industry in Vancouver and Toronto. There, she worked with global brands and witnessed firsthand the disruption that reshaped modern business.
Over time, Teresa found herself increasingly drawn to purpose-driven work within the nonprofit sector. Ultimately, she chose to return home to Sault Ste. Marie and transition into nonprofit leadership. She now serves as Executive Director of the Sault Area Hospital Foundation, where for more than seven years she has led a relationship-driven approach to fundraising with a dynamic team, strengthening connections across Algoma and raising millions of dollars annually to support outstanding patient care at Sault Area Hospital.
Teresa has also contributed her leadership to several Boards of Directors, including the Group Health Centre, Sault Community Career Centre, and currently with Canadian Mental Health Association Algoma. She believes deeply in using professional skills for good, building relationships that last, and listening when your work begins to point you toward deeper purpose.
Meet Teresa Martone... Teresa ’s career has always been rooted in service and shaped by a belief learned early on: it’s all about relationships, even as the setting has evolved. Trained in software development during the Y2K era, she began her career at the forefront of the digital shift before spending 20 years in senior client service roles within the advertising and marketing industry in Vancouver and Toronto. There, she worked with global brands and witnessed firsthand the disruption that reshaped modern business.Over time, Teresa found herself increasingly drawn to purpose-driven work within the nonprofit sector. Ultimately, she chose to return home to Sault Ste. Marie and transition into nonprofit leadership. She now serves as Executive Director of the Sault Area Hospital Foundation, where for more than seven years she has led a relationship-driven approach to fundraising with a dynamic team, strengthening connections across Algoma and raising millions of dollars annually to support outstanding patient care at Sault Area Hospital.
Teresa has also contributed her leadership to several Boards of Directors, including the Group Health Centre, Sault Community Career Centre, and currently with Canadian Mental Health Association Algoma. She believes deeply in using professional skills for good, building relationships that last, and listening when your work begins to point you toward deeper purpose.
Meet our Emcee
Meet Casey MacDonald... Casey is a media and communications professional with over a decade of experience connecting brands, audiences, and communities through authentic storytelling. With a background in broadcast radio, voice work, event hosting, and community engagement, she brings energy, strategy, and professionalism to every platform she touches. Casey is a trusted voice, a strong collaborator, and a leader who shows up prepared, adaptable, and audience-first.
Whether behind the mic, in front of a crowd, or working alongside teams and partners, Casey's focus is always the same: meaningful connection, clear communication, and real impact.
She is passionate about work that blends creativity with purpose and thrives in environments that value collaboration, integrity, and growth.
Meet Casey MacDonald... Casey is a media and communications professional with over a decade of experience connecting brands, audiences, and communities through authentic storytelling. With a background in broadcast radio, voice work, event hosting, and community engagement, she brings energy, strategy, and professionalism to every platform she touches. Casey is a trusted voice, a strong collaborator, and a leader who shows up prepared, adaptable, and audience-first.Whether behind the mic, in front of a crowd, or working alongside teams and partners, Casey's focus is always the same: meaningful connection, clear communication, and real impact.
She is passionate about work that blends creativity with purpose and thrives in environments that value collaboration, integrity, and growth.
Presenting Sponsor
ATHENA Leadership Award Sponsor
ATHENA Young Professional Award Sponsor
Venue Sponsor
Proud Chamber-Member Sponsors
ATHENA Leadership Award Sponsor
ATHENA Young Professional Award Sponsor
Venue Sponsor
Proud Chamber-Member Sponsors
2026 Women In Business Breakfast
Date and Time
Friday Mar 6, 2026
7:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST
Location
Delta Hotels Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront
208 St Mary's River Dr, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
P6A 5V4
Fees/Admission
Chamber members: $44.99+hst
Chamber members table of 10: $399.99+hst
Non Chamber member: $54.99+hst
Printed courtesy of www.ssmcoc.com/ – Contact the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce for more information.
PO Box 20134, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 6W3 – – info@ssmcoc.com