Women in business invited to take their skills to the next level at the BECN She Owns It Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference

Cobourg, ON – September 14, 2026 – Women entrepreneurs, business leaders and professionals are invited to connect, learn and grow together at the fourth annual She Owns It Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference, hosted by the Business and Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland (BECN).

Taking place Thursday, November 5th at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre, this year’s conference will offer a full day of learning, networking and hands-on skill development opportunities designed to help women in business build connections, find inspiration, and challenge themselves to strengthen and expand their professional skills.

The conference has become a popular annual gathering for women in business, welcoming more than 150 attendees each year from Northumberland County and communities across the region, including Durham, Toronto, Kawartha Lakes and Prince Edward County.

This year, keynote speaker Emily O’Brien, founder of Comeback Snacks, will kick off the day with an inspiring session about transforming hardship into prosperity. She will explore how to navigate uncertainty, practice kindness and resilience and own your story – moving past embarrassment and leveraging personal accountability for lasting success.

Following the keynote presentation, speaker and author Leisse Wilcox will lead an energizing session focused on becoming who you want to be, followed by a panel discussion featuring local women in business who will share their stories, strategies and lessons learned, including:

• Sherry Heenan, founder of Sherry Heenan Physiotherapy & Women’s Health in Cobourg
• Chantelle Watt, lifestyle photographer and creative entrepreneur
• Hannah MacDonald, owner and founder of Frosted Flour Co. in Port Hope
• Tracy Ioannidis, co-owner of K Okay Café & Roasters in Warkworth

The interactive workshops planned for the afternoon include:

• Playing it safe is expensive: Building confidence and connections in a changing world with Theresa Bailey of Starfish Synergies: This hands-on workshop explores how confidence is built through action, why taking smart risks matters and how the people around us can open unexpected doors.
• Faster, not fake: Using AI on social media without losing your voice with Katie Dempsey of Brand Ambition: This practical workshop will show how to use AI effectively in your social media content without sacrificing your voice or human brand. With everything from posting strategies to AI prompts, this discussion will give you confidence to enhance your social media using new tools and technology.

Thank you to our conference sponsor, BDC.

Tickets for this event are limited, and registration is required to attend. Tickets are available to purchase for $58 +HST, by visiting BECN.ca/SheOwnsIt.

Event details

Date: Thursday, November 5th, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (registration opens at 8:15 a.m.)

Location: Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre
930 Burnham Street, Cobourg

Ticket cost: $58 +HST

Get your ticket: BECN.ca/SheOwnsIt