Strategic AI training and expert support
for women and non-binary founders
Organizations using AI are growing faster, doing more, and having greater impact. But there’s a gap.
Early data suggests that self-identifying women and non-binary folks are 16-20% less likely to use AI at work than men.* All Canadian companies deserve practical expert education and support to integrate AI.
Strategic, values-aligned AI use will help women and non-binary entrepreneurs grow faster. And when their companies grow, Canada thrives.
In 2025, AI Skills Lab Canada will train and support 250 women and non-binary entrepreneurs across Canada in thoughtful and responsible AI adoption.
The Programs
Practical, case-study based AI training programs, plus 1:1 implementation coaching and community support. Everything you need to learn, grow, and succeed with AI.
AI Skills Lab Canada programs are open to self-identifying women and non-binary founders and entrepreneurs. We especially invite gender-diverse, 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous people, newcomers, Persons with Disabilities (PwD), and racialized individuals to apply.
Early AI Adoption Lab
This 6-week program, led by Camp Tech, equips early-stage entrepreneurs with practical AI skills.
You’ll learn to leverage existing AI tools so you can get through admin, communications, marketing, and customer service tasks faster, allowing you to focus your attention on growing your business.
No tech jargon, no complex theories – just clear, actionable strategies you can put in place right away.
Plus, you’ll develop a custom AI Integration Roadmap that plans out exactly what you should do next, along with the support of AI coaches and a dynamic community of fellow entrepreneurs.
The Early AI Adoption Lab is perfect for women and non-binary founders of startups and small businesses who are at the early stages of building their businesses, with under $1 million in annual revenue and 1-10 employees.
AI Strategy & Operations Lab
This 6-week program, led by Growclass, provides high-growth entrepreneurs with the skills needed to deploy AI and growth marketing for enhanced productivity.
You’ll work on strengthening your AI leadership skills and growth-focused AI strategies while learning to enhance daily tasks and customer interactions with AI tools.
Together with the help of AI coaches, you'll develop a clear AI Integration Roadmap tailored to your company's goals.
The AI Strategy & Operations Lab is perfect for high-growth women and non-binary founders who are in a later stage of building their businesses and are now consider scaling. The business should have over $500,000 in annual revenue and 1-499 employees.
Which program is right for you?
The AI Skills Exchange
All participants in AI Skills Lab Canada programs join The AI Skills Exchange - an ongoing community for support in AI adoption.
From monthly co-working sessions and mentorship meetups to leadership learning circles, the AI Skills Exchange, led by The Forum, keeps you connected to your community of other founders, AI thought leaders, mentors, and senior industry professionals for practical advice on best practices in AI adoption.
The insights gathered in the AI Skills Exchange will be collected and shared in summaries, case studies and online resources (such as AI adoption guides, employee AI handbooks, podcasts, and a video learning series) to benefit all of Canada’s diverse founder ecosystem.
Your AI Adoption Journey
At AI Skills Lab Canada, you’ll journey from a place of cautious curiosity about AI to seeing real results and growth in your business.
You’ll love our learning labs, where you can experiment with AI and learn how to use it in a thoughtful way. Friendly industry experts (who have real-world experience implementing AI into workplaces) will help you create your custom AI Integration Roadmap, giving you a 30/60/90 day plan for what to do next. You’ll be a valued part of a kind and supportive community the whole time.
Key signposts along the AI adoption journey include:
Cautious curiosity
AI skills education grounded in real-world examples
Practical experimentation & building habits
Develop an AI Integration Roadmap with a 30/60/90 day implementation plan
Community support & 1:1 coaching to keep you on track
See results & grow your business
Share what you’ve learned with the AI Skills Exchange community
About AI Skills Lab Canada
AI Skills Lab Canada unites three leaders in Canadian business innovation: The Forum's expertise in women's entrepreneurship, Camp Tech's mastery of practical tech education, and Growclass's proven success in digital growth. Together, we've helped thousands of entrepreneurs build thriving companies through accessible, results-driven training and vibrant community support.
The Forum is a national charity that’s educated, mentored, and uplifted over 15,000 women entrepreneurs since 2002. The Forum’s mission is to unlock access to wisdom, financial and social capital for women entrepreneurs across Canada. The Forum’s programming, mentorship, and deeply collaborative community work in tandem to meet entrepreneurs where they’re at and help them achieve their next milestones.
Growclass is an online growth marketing training hub and community led by Canada’s top business growth experts. Growclass exists to help underrepresented folks build lucrative careers and businesses through teaching tangible, modern digital skills, and building communities of support.
Camp Tech is Canada’s most established provider of practical tech and AI skills training. Programs are short and accessible, designed to help small businesses harness technology for success in the digital economy. The focus is on empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to gain the skills and confidence needed to start new careers, launch businesses, or change the world with innovative ideas.
AI Skills Lab Canada Advisors
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Dr. Natasha Jaques
Senior Research Scientist, Google DeepMind
AI ADVISOR -
Helen Kontozopoulos
Adjunct Professor, University of Toronto Computer Science; Co-Founder, ODAIA; and Founder & CEO, Resiin
AI ADVISOR -
Xania Khan
AI Consultant and Former Head of GenAI Brand Governance - Global Marketing, eBay
AI ADVISOR -
Hiba Amin
AI and Content Strategist and Former Head of Content, Copy.ai
AI ADVISOR -
Elena Yunusov
Executive Director, Human Feedback Foundation and Former Head of Marketing, Borealis AI
AI ADVISOR -
Blair Attard-Frost
PhD Candidate & Lecturer, University of Toronto - Faculty of Information
AI ADVISOR
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Sara Norton
Owner, REPLY-ALL Automation and AI Consulting
AI ADVISOR -
Marissa McNeelands
Founder & CEO, Toast, former Product Lead, Conversational AI, Scotiabank
STRATEGIC WORKING GROUP MEMBER -
Laura Gabor
Co-founder & COO, ecologicca and Founder of What In The Tech
STRATEGIC WORKING GROUP MEMBER -
Allyson Pele
Economic Development Officer, City of Kenora
STRATEGIC WORKING GROUP MEMBER -
Joella Almeida
Co-founder & CEO, MedEssist Ltd
STRATEGIC WORKING GROUP MEMBER -
Bronwyn Bridges
Co-founder & CEO, PragmaClin
STRATEGIC WORKING GROUP MEMBER
AI Skills Lab Canada Supporters
AI Skills Lab Canada is supported by entrepreneurs, AI experts, business leaders, women's enterprise initiatives, and economic development agencies from across the country. We are deeply grateful for their support and their shared belief in creating a more equitable, innovative, and AI-enabled future for women-led businesses in Canada.
Aparna Allam, Head of Marketing, Espresso Capital
Emily Arbour, Founder, Cheerfully Made Goods + Markets
Brittney Ashley, Founder, Creative Dynamics Virtual Services
Michelle Arbuckle, Executive Director, Ontario Library Association
Ilana Ben-Ari, Founder and CEO, Twenty One Toys
Jayne Bingler, Digital Platform Delivery Manager, The Globe and Mail
Natalie Borch, Founder, The Pink Studio
Libby Brewer-Dulac, Digital Solutions and Marketing Consultant
Jocelyn Courneya, Founder, 558 Media
Emily Cresswell, Director of Growth, Cardify.ai
Amanda Cupido, Founder and CEO, Lead Podcasting
Bethany Deshpande, Founder, SomaDetect
Summer Elliott, Principal, Elliott Designs
Jacobo Fraile, Manager, Digital Marketing & Communications,
Common Wealth Retirement
Neda Ghazi, CEO, Comfable Inc.
Natalia Gonzalez-Benson, Senior Email Marketing Manager, MD Financial Management
Kristy Guthrie, Founder, Bright Light Content
Cara Hill, Owner, Loud Leopard
Christina Hug, Founder, Boarding Pass
Nicole Husain, Owner & Consultant, Artful Operations
Joelle Irvine, Principal, JI Growth Marketing
Nora Jenkins, Founder and CEO, Bright + Early
Lindsay Johnson, Founder, The Radical Connector
Andrea Jones, Founder, OnlineDrea Inc.
Jess Joyce, Founder, Inbound Scope
Danielle Klassen, Founder, Superseries Marketing
Rachel Lee, Co-Founder & Brand Stylist, Neo Genesis
Amber Mac, President, Amber Mac Media Inc.
Jaclyn McCaffrey, Project Director
Talitha McCloskey, Co-Founder, RaiseHER Community
Nicole Mickelow, Owner & Digital Consultant, Mnemonics Media
Staci Millard, Accountant and CEO, Thrive Accounting
Amanda Munday, Executive Director, New Majority
Priyanka Nagasubramanian, Business Leader, The Ottawa Hospital
Taylour Nembhard, Senior Search Campaign Manager
Michael Park, Owner, Michael J Park Music
Devon Scoble, Content Director, Tavanberg
Izzy Piyale-Sheard, Founder, ClearCareer
Emilie Quinn, Founder, Nuage Agency
Hema Ramsingh, Marketing Consultant
Claire Robbins, Freelance Journalist
Meetali Samaddar, Marketing Specialist
Jyll Saskin Gales, Google Ads Coach
Vera Schofield, Founder, Flexibility with Vera
Dr Deena Shaffer, Founder, Awakened Learning
Nirzari Shah
Shannon Lee Simmons, Founder, New School of Finance
Fernanda Sobreira, Marketing Strategy Consultant
Jen Spinner, Creative Director & Founder, Spinner Design
Jennifer Stewart, Founder & CEO, Syntax Strategic
Fatima Zaidi, Founder & CEO, Quill Inc.
Show your support for AI Skills Lab Canada by filling out this short form, and we’ll add your name to the list.