In February 2026, in the heart of Canada, at the Toronto City Hall Council Chambers, the International Business Woman Forum 2026 was held for the first time in Canada under the leadership of Business Woman PRO Canada.
The Business Woman Forum is an international platform established more than ten years ago under the umbrella of Business Woman Magazine. Over the years, the Forum has been organized in various countries around the world, bringing together women leaders from business, politics, diplomacy, civil society, and international organizations.
Most recently, the Forum was held at the European Parliament in Brussels, welcoming delegates from more than 20 countries. The Canadian edition marked an important new chapter in the international history of the Forum and introduced this global platform to Canada for the first time.
The Toronto Forum was dedicated to the 5th anniversary of Business Woman PRO Canada and brought together women leaders, entrepreneurs, public officials, community advocates, and international delegates.

Representatives from more than 20 countries participated both in person and online, making the Forum a truly international platform for dialogue, cooperation, and leadership.
Three Pillars of Modern Women’s Leadership
The Forum program was organized around three key sections:
- Women in Politics
- Woman in Business
- Community Leadership
Each section became a platform for open discussions about opportunities, challenges, leadership, and the growing role of women in modern society.
The international significance of the event was further highlighted by a message from The Honourable Anita Anand, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, who expressed her support for the Forum and emphasized the importance of advancing international women’s leadership and cooperation.
A special honor for the organizers and participants was the personal participation of Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Member of Provincial Parliament and Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care, who shared her experience in public service and her perspective on women’s leadership in politics and government.
The Forum also received support and greetings from Canadian political leaders, including:
- Kinga Surma
- Leslie Church
- Ivan Baker
Participants were especially honored to receive greetings from Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, who has consistently supported Ukraine and the Ukrainian community in Canada.
The Forum also received greetings and support from Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
Additional messages of support were received from:
- Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights;
- Hanna Krasyuk, President of Business Woman Club and founder of Business Woman Magazine;
- Natalka Cmoc, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine.
These greetings highlighted the international significance of the Forum and emphasized the importance of women’s leadership, democratic values, and international cooperation.
International Cooperation and New Partnerships
The Forum provided an opportunity for discussions among representatives of various countries, organizations, and institutions.
Several cooperation agreements and memorandums were signed, creating new opportunities for future international projects and partnerships.

Following the Forum, a resolution was adopted supporting the continued development of women’s forums across Canada.
Plans are already underway to organize similar events in various cities throughout Ontario, with a longer-term vision of expanding these initiatives to other Canadian provinces.
From Forum to Systemic Change
One of the most important conclusions of the Forum was the clear demand among women for communication, education, mentorship, and professional support.
President of Business Woman PRO Canada, Nadiya Yashan, has already initiated discussions with several municipalities and city councils. Letters of support have been received from local governments expressing interest in partnering on future forums.
These initiatives aim to create a bridge between municipalities, entrepreneurs, and community organizations, allowing cities to present programs that support small and medium-sized businesses as well as individuals who are planning to start their own businesses.
Evening Gala and International Networking
Following the official daytime program, participants gathered for an evening gala and international networking reception.
This special event created a welcoming environment for delegates from different countries to build new relationships, discuss future collaborations, and exchange ideas beyond the formal program.
During the evening gala, the newest issue of Business Woman Magazine was officially presented.
The evening demonstrated that meaningful international cooperation is built not only through formal discussions, but also through personal connections, shared experiences, and genuine dialogue.
A New Chapter for Canada
International Business Woman Forum 2026 became not only an important event for Canada but also a significant milestone in the global development of the Business Woman community.
The Forum demonstrated that women’s leadership has no borders and that international cooperation can create new opportunities, strengthen businesses, support women’s advancement, and unite people across countries and cultures.
Canada has now become an important new chapter in the international history of Business Woman, proving that leadership, cooperation, and mutual support remain powerful forces for positive change.

Nadiya Yashan
Director of Business Woman Magazine in Canada
President, Business Woman PRO Canada
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Photo: from the a of Nadiya Yashan
