23 Canadian Entrepreneurs Who Turned Crisis Into Community

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In times of adversity, Canadian entrepreneurs have consistently risen to the challenge, using innovation, resilience, and compassion to overcome crises and foster stronger communities. These individuals have turned hardship into opportunity. From health crises to economic downturns, through the creation of groundbreaking businesses or through leveraging their platforms for social good, their stories inspire a new generation of leaders. These are 23 Canadian entrepreneurs who turned crisis into community:

Tobi Lütke

Tobi Lütke, the founder and CEO of Shopify, turned an economic crisis into an opportunity for millions. When the 2008 recession hit, Shopify pivoted from selling snowboards online to empowering other entrepreneurs through its e-commerce platform. Under Tobi’s leadership, Shopify became a lifeline for small businesses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. His vision and commitment to democratizing online retail helped build a global community of resilient, independent business owners navigating uncertain times together.

Melanie Teed-Murch

​Melanie Teed-Murch began her career in 1996 as a store manager in Kitchener and rose through the ranks to become President of Toys “R” Us Canada in 2016. During a tumultuous period when the U.S. and U.K. divisions faced liquidation, she led the Canadian operations through creditor protection and a $300 million acquisition by Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. Her leadership ensured the survival of 82 stores and the e-commerce platforms Toysrus.ca and Babiesrus.ca, preserving jobs and maintaining customer trust across the country.​

Miranda Wang

Miranda Wang, co-founder and CEO of Novoloop, is revolutionizing plastic waste management by transforming unrecyclable plastics into high-performance materials. Inspired by a high school visit to a waste facility, she pursued a degree in molecular biology at the University of Pennsylvania and co-founded Novoloop. The company developed Accelerated Thermal Oxidative Decomposition (ATOD), a process that breaks down polyethylene plastics into valuable materials with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. Wang’s innovative work has earned her recognition, including the UN’s Young Champions of the Earth award and the Rolex Award for Enterprise.

Tamar Huggins

Tamar Huggins is a Canadian tech entrepreneur, author, and educator who is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the technology sector. After losing her advertising job during the 2009 recession, she founded DRIVEN Accelerator Group in 2012, Canada’s first tech accelerator for BIPOC leaders, raising $1.1 million for underrepresented startups. In 2015, she launched Tech Spark, Canada’s first technology and design school for Black youth, girls, and other youth of color. Her initiatives have empowered thousands of students and educators, earning her numerous accolades, including the TD Ready Challenge grant and the Harry Jerome Young Entrepreneur Award.

Janet Bannister

Janet Bannister is a trailblazing Canadian entrepreneur and venture capitalist. She founded Kijiji.ca in 2004, which grew to become one of Canada’s most visited websites. After leading Kijiji’s global expansion, she held leadership roles at eBay, McKinsey & Co., and Procter & Gamble. In 2023, she launched Staircase Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on founder development and performance. Bannister is also active in the Canadian tech ecosystem, serving as Co-Chair of C100 and mentoring startups.

Alexandra McCalla

Alexandra McCalla is a Canadian entrepreneur and former technology executive. She co-founded AirMatrix, a company developing precise drone navigation systems for urban environments. McCalla’s career includes experience in business consulting and tech startups in Toronto and Silicon Valley. She has been recognized for her contributions to technology and innovation, including receiving the Communitech Fierce Founders $100K prize and being named one of The Globe and Mail’s 50 innovators making change in Canada.

Tessa Virtue

After retiring from competitive ice dancing in 2019, Tessa Virtue transitioned into the business world. She earned an MBA from Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Currently, she serves as an executive advisor at Deloitte, focusing on unlocking potential and empowering sustained high performance. Virtue also co-produced and skated in ice shows like The Thank You Canada Tour and Rock the Rink, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit.

Scott Moir

Scott Moir, renowned for his Olympic achievements in ice dancing, has transitioned into entrepreneurship following his retirement. He co-produced and performed in ice shows such as The Thank You Canada Tour and Rock the Rink, bringing figure skating to wider audiences. Moir has also taken on the role of Head Coach and Managing Director, coaching ice dancers in Southwestern Ontario, thereby nurturing the next generation of athletes.

Ryan Holmes

Ryan Holmes, a Canadian tech entrepreneur, founded Hootsuite in 2008, transforming it into a leading social media management platform with over 18 million users worldwide. His journey began with ventures such as a pizza restaurant and a digital media agency, before he created Hootsuite through Invoke Media. Holmes also co-founded LOI Venture, a fund supporting young entrepreneurs, and established the League of Innovators to nurture youth entrepreneurship across Canada.

Joanna Griffiths

Joanna Griffiths is the founder and CEO of Knix, a Canadian intimate brand known for its innovative leakproof underwear and commitment to body positivity. After launching Knix in 2013, she shifted to a direct-to-consumer model in 2016, enhancing customer engagement. In 2021, Griffiths raised $53 million in funding while pregnant, refusing investors who questioned her leadership capabilities. Under her guidance, Knix has expanded to multiple retail locations and received accolades for its inclusive approach.

Michele Romanow

Michele Romanow is a Canadian tech entrepreneur and television personality known for co-founding Clearco (formerly Clearbanc), a company providing revenue-sharing solutions to fund new online businesses. She was recognized as one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2015 and was named one of Forbes’ Top 20 Most Disruptive “Millennials on a Mission” in 2013. Romanow joined the cast of CBC’s Dragons’ Den in Season 10, becoming the youngest Dragon on the show. She has also co-founded ventures like SnapSaves, acquired by Groupon, and Buytopia.ca.

Harley Finkelstein

Harley Finkelstein is a Canadian entrepreneur and the President of Shopify, a leading e-commerce platform. He founded his first company at age 17 while studying at McGill University. Finkelstein holds a law degree and an MBA from the University of Ottawa. He has served as a “Dragon” on CBC’s Next Gen Den and starred on the Discovery Channel’s I Quit. His accolades include the Canadian Angel Investor of the Year Award, Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, and induction into the Order of Ottawa.

Manjit Minhas

Manjit Minhas is a Canadian entrepreneur and co-founder of Minhas Breweries, Distillery, and Winery. Starting at 19 with her brother Ravinder, they transformed a $10,000 investment into a global business with over 90 beverage brands. Minhas is also known for her role as a Dragon on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, where she has been a prominent figure since 2015. Her achievements have earned her recognition as one of Canada’s Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs and Canada’s Top 40 Under 40.

Arlene Dickinson

Arlene Dickinson is a Canadian entrepreneur, investor, and author best known for her role on CBC’s Dragons’ Den. She is the founder and General Partner of District Ventures Capital, focusing on investments in the food and health sectors. Dickinson has authored several best-selling books and is a sought-after public speaker. Her contributions to business have earned her numerous accolades, including induction into Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Hall of Fame.

Lane Merrifield

Lane Merrifield co-founded Club Penguin, a pioneering virtual world for children, in 2005. The platform rapidly gained popularity, leading to its acquisition by Disney for $700 million in 2007. Following the acquisition, Merrifield served as Executive Vice President at Disney Online Studios. He later became a Dragon on CBC’s Dragons’ Den and co-founded Wheelhouse, a venture studio supporting startups. Merrifield is also an advocate for education and youth entrepreneurship.

Bruce Croxon

Bruce Croxon is a Canadian entrepreneur and venture capitalist who co-founded Lavalife in 1987, an early online dating platform that grew to over 2 million users. He led the company until its sale for $152.5 million in 2004. Croxon later served as a Dragon on CBC’s Dragons’ Den from 2011 to 2013. He is currently a partner at Round13 Capital, investing in growth-stage Canadian tech companies, and co-hosts BNN’s The Disruptors, highlighting innovative startups. ​

Anthony Lacavera

Anthony Lacavera is a Canadian entrepreneur and venture capitalist best known for founding Globalive in 1998 and WIND Mobile in 2008. Under his leadership, WIND Mobile was sold to Shaw Communications in 2016 for $1.6 billion. He has since been involved in various ventures, including Globalive Ventures and Globalive Media, and has supported numerous Canadian startups. Lacavera is also a philanthropist, having established the Lacavera Prize to support student entrepreneurs.

Michele McKenzie

Michele McKenzie is a prominent Canadian tourism expert and the current Chair of the Trans Canada Trail Board. She previously served as the President and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission (now Destination Canada) and has held leadership roles in international tourism development projects across Jordan, Tunisia, and the South Caucasus. McKenzie is recognized for her innovative contributions to sustainable tourism and was awarded the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.

Ben Zifkin

Ben Zifkin is a Canadian entrepreneur and angel investor, known for founding Hubba, a B2B product information network recognized as one of Canada’s top startups. He is currently the CEO of WayTrade, where he focuses on reimagining the future of commerce through brand and retail technology. With over 20 years of experience, Zifkin has built and advised companies across North America, Europe, and Asia.​

Eva Wong

Eva Wong is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Borrowell, one of Canada’s largest fintech companies. Under her leadership, Borrowell has grown to over 160 employees and offers free credit score monitoring, as well as personal loans. Wong has been recognized as an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® in Ontario and named to the global Women in FinTech Powerlist. She also serves on the advisory board of the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University.

Mallorie Brodie

Mallorie Brodie is the CEO and Co-Founder of Bridgit, a Canadian construction technology company she co-founded in 2014 with Lauren Lake. Raised in a construction family, Mallorie was inspired to modernize the industry through software solutions. Under her leadership, Bridgit developed Bridgit Bench, a workforce intelligence platform that major contractors across North America have adopted. Mallorie has been recognized with several accolades, including being named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in Manufacturing & Industry and the Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction.

Lauren Lake

Lauren Lake is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Bridgit, a company she co-founded in 2014 alongside Mallorie Brodie. With a background in civil engineering from Western University, Lauren’s expertise in construction workflows has been instrumental in Bridgit’s success. She has been recognized with several honors, including being named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in Manufacturing & Industry and receiving the Engineering Young Alumni Award from Western University.

Fatima Zaidi​

Fatima Zaidi is a Canadian entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Quill Inc., a leading podcast agency specializing in branded audio content for top-tier brands like Interac, PwC, and Expedia. In 2022, she launched CoHost, a podcast hosting and analytics platform. Recognized for her leadership, Zaidi has received accolades such as DMZ’s Woman of the Year and Veuve Clicquot’s Bold Future Award. She also co-chairs the #Tech4SickKids council at SickKids Hospital, aiming to raise $25 million for pediatric healthcare initiatives.

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