Impactful Women in Business, 2025
ON THE COVER
EON Innovations LLC
Velma McMillan is the CEO of EON Innovations LLC, a company that manages several Blo Blow Dry Bar locations across Texas. Her journey is deeply rooted in entrepreneurship, leadership, and empowerment within the beauty industry. From the beginning, she envisioned creating spaces where women could feel beautiful, confident, and strong.
Lonely Planet Journeys
Alexis Bowen is the founder of Elsewhere, a travel marketplace that connects travelers directly with local experts across the world. She launched the company in 2021 alongside her co-founder, driven by a shared mission to create a new kind of tourism-one that is digital-first, rooted in strong values, and built around direct relationships with locals.
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Claudia Krywiak believes innovation is not just about creating something new, but about making a real difference in the world. As President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), she has dedicated her career to turning ideas into impact and helping Ontario stand out as a global hub for innovation. Since joining OCI in 2011, Claudia has been at the forefront of building partnerships that accelerate the development, commercialization, and adoption of new technologies.
Meyer-Reumann & Partners
Elena Schildgen’s journey is one of resilience, vision, and the courage to embrace new beginnings. Originally from Germany, Elena has called Dubai home for the past 35 years. Last year, she officially became an Emirati national, a milestone that symbolizes her deep connection with the country she has built her life and career in.
VYNCKE
Elke Toye is a finance leader who has built a strong and inspiring career in the energy sector. She is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of VYNCKE, a global company based in Belgium that designs and builds clean energy systems. Elke is 36 years old and brings both professional skill and personal dedication to her work.
Elite Vision Media
Esmeralda Baez is a woman with vision, courage, and heart. Her journey into business began from a deep desire to close the gaps she saw in representation. She noticed that many people, especially women and minorities, lacked opportunities to grow and succeed. Instead of waiting for change, she decided to become the change.
Oliver Sanderson Group PLC
Natasha Makhijani has built her career on resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion. As the CEO and Founder of Oliver Sanderson Group PLC, an award-winning executive search firm, and the CEO of Snapp CV, a pioneering digital recruitment platform, she has become one of the most influential voices in modern recruitment and leadership.
Brand and Buzz Consulting
Parna Sarkar-Basu’s story is one of resilience, clarity, and purposeful impact. Over three decades ago, she arrived in Boston with no professional network and no clear playbook for building a career in a new country. What she did have was determination and an ability to learn quickly.
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