Navigating Entrepreneurship: Challenges, Opportunities and Revenue Models

UpNext: Ready to Launch Entrepreneurial Series showcases the career journeys of successful entrepreneurs and senior executives. It aims to provide young Black women with practical tools and advice to help them build desired careers and achieve professional fulfillment. This series is sponsored by the Waterloo Region Entrepreneurship Fund.

Title: Navigating Entrepreneurship: Challenges, Opportunities, and Revenue Models

Subtitle: A personal journey and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

Light refreshments will be provided.

The talk will provide an informative yet personal perspective on entrepreneurship while encouraging practical thinking around revenue models and funding options.

Colleen James, M.Ed., Divonify, CEO & Principal Consultant

Award-Winning Equity and Inclusion Consultant | Educator | Community Builder

Colleen James, an award-winning equity and inclusion consultant and founder of Divonify, believes in challenging the status quo of racial equity and social justice. James has over 15 years of experience working with organizations to question racial inequities and embrace the differences that exist within their workforce.

Growing up as a first-generation Canadian, Colleen was empowered with the understanding that being Black was something to be celebrated. Her parents taught her she belonged in all spaces, especially the ones history excluded her from. Despite their support, growing up James was no stranger to racism, with stereotypical assumptions made about her appearance and level of education. Knowing systemic change is needed to create true spaces of belonging, Colleen has made it her mission to generate innovative solutions addressing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and beyond.

Named one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada in 2020 and one of the top DEI persons of the year in 2021. James has worked with many organizations leading thought-provoking discussions that challenge assumptions. Enabling leaders to deepen their understanding of power and privilege, she empowers her clients to rethink their outdated business models and create more equitable outcomes for everyone within their organization.

As a former Professor and Program Coordinator in the School of Business at Conestoga College, James challenges her students to better understand and own the possibilities of their diversity.

Colleen sits on several committees and is involved in many collaborative projects, one being the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region, with whom she has established the James STEM scholarship award. She holds an Honours B.A. degree in history political science and Caribbean studies from the University of Toronto and has a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy.

Colleen was born and raised and currently resides in Kitchener, Ontario with her husband and daughter.