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Montreal International Women's Day Breakfast

About Us

• Leaders thrive when they uplift others.

• Success is most powerful when it’s accessible to everyone, regardless of gender, appearance, or background.

• True leadership is most evident by mindset, effort, mission, resiliency, investment in others, influence of change, mentorship, and ambition.

This is the foundation of our work.

Through this event, we aim to inspire the next generation of changemakers while fostering a space where diverse voices are heard and celebrated. We are proud to collaborate with individuals and organizations who share our vision, from the board room to emerging student leaders and those championing the fight against breast cancer.

Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive future.

Co-Founders

Denise Vourzoumis

Denise Vourtzoumis is a respected leader and passionate advocate for women’s empowerment with over 40 years of experience in corporate leadership and community engagement. She is the Co-Founder and Host of the Montreal International Women’s Breakfast, an annual event that brings together hundreds of women, students, and professionals to connect and be inspired.

A former FedEx executive, Denise is celebrated for her authentic leadership and commitment to inclusion. She also co-founded Pink in the City, a nonprofit that has raised over $3 million for breast cancer care and education. Her dedication extends to mentoring young leaders and serving on boards such as Coaches of Canada and Zonta International.

Denise has volunteered at the Vancouver 2010 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games and received numerous honours, including the King Charles III Coronation Medal and the National Assembly Medal of Quebec. Through her work, she continues to champion mentorship, storytelling, and community building, empowering women and girls to lead boldly.

President and Founder: Pink in the City

Montreal City News

Daniel A. Johnson

Daniel is a behaviour specialist with over 30 years of experience helping build dynamic teams and empowering student leaders through his work with schools and NGOs. Devoting his career to guiding youth in educational communities across Alberta and Québec, he has inspired thousands of students to embrace leadership and volunteerism; locally and globally.

Beyond education, Daniel has worked with television and media outlets throughout North America, honing his communication skills, and served as a Reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces. His dedication to leadership development and service has earned him national recognition, including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his contributions to Canada.

As Co-Founder of the Montréal International Women’s Day Breakfast, Daniel brings his passion for equity, mentorship, and community-building to create a platform that celebrates courageous women and inspires the next generation of changemakers.

Daniel is the president and founder of Advance My Leadership Inc.

Suburban Newspaper 2018

The TEAM

Christina Gancz

Media

GANCZ CREATIONS

2025 Women of Honour

The Montreal International Women’s Day Breakfast is a meaningful reminder that women thrive when we uplift one another and build community. It’s a moment that feels both empowering and grounding—a celebration of strength, ambition, and shared humanity. Being part of the visual communications behind it is truly an honour, because it allows me to help spread that momentum across our city and beyond.

100 word version:

I am the founder and creative director of Gancz Creations, a design agency dedicated to meaningful, socially driven work. For over 11 years, I’ve built a career as a designer, programmer, and leader, creating impactful visuals for nonprofits, foundations, and national public health campaigns. As a digital nomad, I run a fully virtual studio that lets me blend creativity with cultural exploration. Inspired early by a love of design, I turned a passion into a thriving business rooted in purpose. I believe true leadership comes from intuition, resilience, and impact—and I strive to inspire others to pursue meaningful work.

2025 Women of Honour

I am the founder and creative

director of Gancz Creations, a graphic and website design agency specializing in holistic design services with a focus on social impact. Over the past 11 years, I have built a career as a graphic and website designer, programmer, and leader, managing a team of creative professionals.

My proudest accomplishments include developing impactfulvisual materials for non-profits and foundations such as the Habilitas Foundation, Phelps Helps, and Camp Massawippi, as well as contributing to public health campaigns across Canada.

These projects have allowed me to channel my creativity into meaningful work that supports organizations striving to create positive change. Additionally, I’ve embraced the digital nomad lifestyle, running a 100% virtual office, which enables me to explore different cultures while working.

My career path was inspired by a love for creativity and design from a young age. As a student, I immersed myself in year book clubs, animation projects, and programming with HTML.

Despite the risks often associated with pursuing a career in the arts, I followed my passion and turned a hobby into a thriving business. My educational journey included a DEC in Communications at Vanier College and a Bachelor’s in Design with a minor in History from Concordia University, where I was awarded the

Social Engagement Award for a bee conservation project. These experiences gave me the confidence to build a business that reflects my values and supports organizations with a mission for good.

To me, an inspirational woman is someone who listens to her inner voice, works tirelessly to pursue her passion, and demonstrates empathy and resilience. My strength lies in my ability

to cut through doubt, trust my instincts, and create something meaningful, even in the face of uncertainty. Success, to me, means waking up each day excited to do what I love, surrounded by a supportive community. It’s about aligning my work with my values and making a positive impact.

The keys to my success are unwavering passion, organization, and discipline. I prioritize meaningful projects, maintain a balance

between creativity and structure, and trust my intuition to guide me forward. Looking ahead, I plan to continue growing my team, collaborating with socially impactful organizations, and giving back to the schools that shaped me, such as Laurier Senior High School, Vanier College, and Concordia University. My ultimate goal is to inspire others as a design instructor, encouraging them to pursue their passions and create meaningful work.

Jimmy Zoubris

Director of Speaker Engagement and Partnerships

Jimmy Zoubris is a Montreal small-business owner and longtime advocate for inclusive leadership and vibrant cultural community life.

A former School Commissioner and board member of Greek Community organizations, the Hellenic Congress, and local business groups, he spent the past decade working as an advisor to Montreal’s first female mayor, Valerie Plante.

He especially focused on initiatives that elevate women and diverse cultural voices in public life. He is a committed volunteer with many community organizations such as Sun Youth and actively supports Pink in the City and other local initiatives.

He regularly shares insights on civic issues across media outlets, including CJAD.

Alexandra Papathanasopoulos

Tables & Tickets

Alexandra is a research scientist in discovery and safety assessment. She is dedicated to inspiring students in the pursuit of the sciences and increasing recognition of the incredible women in the field. The Montreal international Women’s Day Breakfast is important to her because it allows women of every age to convene and exchange ideas and experiences in an open environment; all while raising funds for an incredible cause. Women in STEM are often underrepresented, especially in leadership roles, and opportunities such as MIWD Breakfast allow for open discussion towards a brighter future.