By Julie Gedeon
For a second consecutive year, the national Spanish-language television station El Break is shining a spotlight on accomplished Canadian women. Women of Influence focuses on female professionals and entrepreneurs whose success readily inspires others. “We had such positive feedback after last year that we had to do it again,” says Natalie Rivera, El Break’s co-founder. “These women show others what’s possible.”
Rivera and co-founder Stefania Serna hold a heartfelt place for women who have overcome significant challenges. Originally from Colombia, the co-founders handle every aspect of making El Break a TV station with upwards of a million Latin and other viewers.
Various criteria, including reflecting Canada’s diversity, were again used to select this year’s women. “We broadened the focus to include areas where women aren’t getting the recognition they deserve, such as the arts and social media,” Rivera adds.
Ultimately, they selected six women who have made significant impacts on their industries and Canada.
This year’s selections include Living Luxe co-founder and publisher Jennifer Lipkowitz. El Break recognized her pivotal role in putting Toronto design on the world stage. “It’s amazing what she’s accomplished with the magazine and organizing the incredible Living Luxe Design Show every year,” Serna says.
“Women of Influence focuses on female professionals and entrepreneurs whose success readily inspires others.”
Another honoree, Isabella Araujo, moved to Canada from Brazil three years ago. What started as “Bella in Toronto,” an online series documenting her life, has blossomed into a thriving social media platform where she shares video clips about her favourite spots, fashion finds and special city moments. “She exemplifies how women are effectively using social media to reach out to younger people,” Rivera says. “We don’t give enough credit to all the work that goes into being a successful influencer.”
After being crowned Miss Venezuela 2016 and finishing among the top five Miss Universe contestants, Keysi Sayago became a mechanical engineer. Since moving to Toronto, she has contributed to major GTA construction projects, resumed modelling in support of top designers and her own Panthera jewelry collection, and has become a mother. “She’s put her pageantry recognition towards helping food service organizations in Venezuela as well as the Engagement Foundation in Canada,” Serna says. “The message in her motivational talks is always how true beauty resonates from within.”
Dani Doucette is a trailblazing Canadian pop-dance artist. Her single FireAlarm dominated Canada’s music charts last year, and her follow-up self-love anthem Hello Shadow has been streamed more than three million times. In Feminenergy, she encourages women to take the space they need. Yeraldin Valencia has been a leading automotive sales consultant for over a decade. “It’s her ability to connect with her clients and understand their specific needs that sets her apart in a still male-dominated business,” Serna says. “Fluent in English and Spanish, she’s served the GTA with a deep commitment to empowering its Latino community.”
The GTA also benefits from the real-estate know-how of Diana Castellanos. Originally from Colombia, she’s become a sought-after representative. Her construction and property management experience have earned her a reputation for delivering exceptional results for developers, investors and buyers.
All of this year’s women have been featured on El Break. “It’s wonderful to learn the unique process each of them undertook to achieve their goals,” Rivera says.
El Break airs on OmniOne on Sundays at 8 PM, Wednesdays at 10 AM and 1 PM, and Fridays at 9 AM, or tune into OndasFM at 91.9 FM on Saturdays from 6 AM to 10 AM. Listeners from around the world can tune in at ondasfm.ca.