Oh, how I love being a woman!
March is International Women’s Month, and in only just a few days, it’ll be International Women’s Day!
To kick off the celebrations, let’s shine a spotlight on Montreal women who are creating, building, dreaming, and inspiring. Keep reading to meet some of the city’s most amazing women to follow, support, and cheer on!
Bao Nguyen
Graphic designer and entrepreneur
Bao is a graphic designer making waves in Montreal’s design scene. As the co-founder and creative lead of Bask Hour, she crafts beautifully designed, sustainably made candles, with many scents inspired by her Vietnamese heritage. Beyond Bask Hour, her talent has led her to collaborate with major DTC brands like Evive and WeCook, as well as innovative startups.
Oh, and if you spot the Jade Tieguanyin tea tin on the shelves at DAVIDsTEA, that’s her design!
Christina Pomponio
Entrepreneur and pharmacist
Christina, a trained pharmacist with a passion for business, is the CEO of Bomboloni Boss, bringing the irresistible bomboloni—a fluffy, Italian-style donut filled with sweet, creamy goodness—to Montreal. What started as a pandemic treat quickly became a local favourite, with everyone (myself included!) flocking to Bomboloni Boss for their indulgent flavours like Nutella, pistachio, and red velvet.
Today, these mouthwatering bombolonis can be found in grocery stores like IGA, Metro, and Provigo across Montreal.
Jenna Schwartz
Mural artist
You know the mural at Delisle and Charlevoix? Jenna. The one at the McGill University sports complex entrance? That’s her work too. And the stunning, nearly 21,000-square-foot mural on the Hyatt Place‘s wall? She was part of the team that brought that to life!
After graduating in business, Jenna decided to follow her passion for art, leading her to create murals across Montreal and internationally. Through her murals, she celebrates diversity and human emotion, transforming spaces and inspiring communities.
Jessica Navar
Food process engineer and entrepreneur
Jessica’s journey to starting her own business began in an unexpected place—a hospital bed recovering from a lung procedure. While doodling to pass the time, she had an idea: why not turn her love for design into a business? Today, she is the founder of BABBLE, a papeterie, custom goods, and events company. Her creations are inspired by a love for the written word, and its power to connect and bring people closer together.
When she’s not crafting, Jessica is a food process engineer, creating products that are “like designing a Kitchen Aid, but for hundreds of thousands of people!”
Joanna Foz-Dait
Photographer and videographer
Joanna is a passionate filmmaker whose creative journey began with photography. A graduate of the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, she has a knack for transforming ideas into captivating visual stories that leave a lasting impact. With every project, she brings energy, creativity, and a passion for storytelling, pouring her heart and soul into every detail. I mean seriously, just look at those visuals!
And while her primary focus is video, she also captures stunning moments through photography for various events and projects. Hit her up, and let her bring your vision to life!
Joanna Suarez
Entrepreneur
Joanna is the founder of by.marieko, a charming brand that specializes in hand-sewn items like pouches, tote bags, wristlet keychains, and more. Her pieces feature the most beautiful fabrics—many of which are in her signature pink, the perfect colour for the girly-girl in all of us. A standout piece is the bow tote bag, with its playful pink design and bow-shaped handles.
Joanna’s dedication to her craft and her commitment to running her business full-time is truly inspiring. This year, she even held her very first pop-up—surely the first of many to come!
Leila Sardea
Tattoo and nail artist
It seems like Leila has always had that creative entrepreneur mindset from the start. During COVID, she ventured in selling hand sewn scrunchies (throwback to the best scrunchies BTW—they could hold up any high ponytail!), and later even helped her mom’s holiday business creating personalized Christmas ornaments. Her creativity then led her to mastering the art of nails. So if you were wondering who does Alisa‘s stunning nails, it’s Leila!
Fast forward to today, Leila has branched out into tattoos, continuing to turn creative visions into reality. And that croissant tattoo? Honestly, I could eat it for breakfast!
Mando
Artist and DJ
It’s a good thing Mando has a lot of energy, because she does a lot of things! As a Vietnamese-Canadian, genre-fluid artist, she seamlessly blends everything from hyperpop to country, constantly pushing the boundaries with her unique sound. Her remix of Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” is a prime example of her fresh take on country music, while her latest release “Rager” dives into hyperpop, showcasing her high energy and distinctive high-pitch voice. She is also a DJ playing a pivotal role in the Vinahouse scene in Montreal, and the co-founder of Bahay Collective, a BIPOC Montreal-based music collective.
And of course, Mando is the supreme leader of the Church of Mandotology, the world’s cutest cult!
Seydee Bien-Aimé
Visual artist
Growing up, Seydee often struggled to feel at home in her Blackness, in her queerness, and even in her femininity. But as a self-taught artist, art became a space where she could reclaim and celebrate all of these parts of herself.
Now, through Art by Satiie, Seydee uses painting as a way to embrace and express her full identity, creating absolutely vibrant pieces that highlight the strength, diversity, and beauty of Black culture.
Stephanie Bumba
Nurse clinician, scientist, blogger and public speaker
Stephanie is a nurse and the creator of the YouTube web series Yesterday’s and Today’s Afroscientists. Through her series, she highlights the invaluable contributions of Black individuals to the advancement of health sciences, shedding light on under-recognized figures from both the past and present.
Needless to say, I am so, so proud to call her my high school classmate! Her passion for education and community empowerment, and her dedication to diversity in STEM are truly impactful, and her work will continue to uplift and educate so, so many!
Stephanie Valenzuela
Politician
Stephanie is a first-generation Filipina-Canadian from Côte-des-Neiges who’s always been passionate about community service. Growing up, she learned the importance of giving back, volunteering in local events and shelters, even working with NGO La Paz Comienza Con Los Niños in Mexico after graduation.
Since 2021, she serves as the city councilor for her home borough with Ensemble Montréal, becoming the very first Filipino-Canadian to earn a seat on the Montreal city council. She is dedicated to addressing local issues, and bringing more inclusion, innovation, and investment to her community.
Wulan Firmansjah
Digital creator, illustrator, entrepreneur and potter
2023 marked a transformative year for Wulan, as motherhood sparked a new chapter in her life. Navigating the balance between her identity as a creative and mom, she discovered pottery as both a form of self-care and a creative outlet. In the same year, she co-founded the Happy Mamas Collective, a community built by and for Montreal mothers, launched Bloom Ensemble, a clothing line inspired by her son, and also created Otto and Friends, a brand focused on fostering connection between parents and children.
As she continues to embrace her passions for creativity, community, and motherhood, pottery remains a key part of her journey.
Let’s celebrate, support, and uplift all the incredible women—not just today, but every day.
Happy International Women’s Month!
The Lilac Blog 