International Women's Day

International Women’s Day 2026: Together We Rise

Join us for our annual International Women’s Day: Together We Rise celebration, an inspiring evening that brings together women entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders from across Leeds and Grenville.

This year’s event features a leadership panel of local business owners and public-sector leaders who will share their journeys, insights, and lessons learned.

New this year, the Knowledge Bar will offer interactive stations where attendees can pick up practical tips on topics such as marketing, finances, leadership, wellness, and more. Each station is designed to spark learning, connection, and meaningful conversation.

With valuable takeaways, engaging activities, and an uplifting atmosphere, this event is all about celebrating women’s achievements and rising together as a community.

Event Details

Location: North Grenville Municipal Centre
Date: March 5, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Bar: Cash and debit bar available

Tentative Agenda

4:00 – Reception and Networking
4:30 – Welcome Remarks
4:45 – Leadership Panel and Q&A
5:30 – Knowledge Bar: Interactive Stations
6:30 – Dinner and Networking
7:30 – Award Presentation, Door Prizes, Closing remarks
8:00 – Event Close

Panelists 

     Rhiannon V. Iles, P. Eng. – President, HFI Pyrotechnics Inc.  

Rhiannon holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The University of New Brunswick, lives in Brockville and is a single mother of two boys (22 and 26). She began her career at Procter & Gamble, where she honed her expertise in operations, smart manufacturing, project delivery excellence, and organizational capability development at the site, business unit and global level. In 2020, Rhiannon left Procter & Gamble and joined HFI as Chief Operating Officer and was promoted to President in April 2023. Under her leadership, HFI has doubled annual revenue to $18M–$21M and has sustained this level for almost 4 years despite global supply chain disruptions and “growing pains”. During this time, HFI also expanded its workforce from approximately 60 to 130 employees, much of this started during the COVID-19 Pandemic. By fostering operational excellence, she has enhanced HFI's ability to meet the defence department’s stringent quality and reliability requirements in this safety-critical industry and to improve delivery performance. Her passion lies in organization capability development and workforce culture, two key enablers to HFI’s recent and forecasted growth.

     Katie Nolan – Executive Director, Community Futures Grenville

 Katie Nolan is the Executive Director of Community Futures Grenville, where she works to support local businesses, encourage entrepreneurship, and strengthen rural communities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from McGill University and a Master of Science in Soil Science from the University of British Columbia. Her background in sustainable agriculture and local food systems has informed her devotion to rural communities. Katie’s career has focused on developing innovative, scale-appropriate economic strategies for Ontario’s smallest communities.

She spent over a decade working in public-facing, community-based roles in rural economic development for the provincial government. In 2021, after many years of witnessing the profound local impact of the Community Futures Program throughout Eastern Ontario, she was honoured to have the opportunity to succeed Heather Lawless as Executive Director of Community Futures Grenville.

In that role, she works with a strong team of staff and directors to serve the small businesses of Grenville County with flexible financing, strong business advisory support, and partnership on local economic development initiatives.

    Cathy Maggio Howley, Pauline's Lingerie                                                        

Cathy Maggio Howley is co-owner and operator of Pauline’s Lingerie, a family-owned business entering its 51st year of service, located in Brockville. She has been part of the store since her teenage years, trained personally by her grandmother—Pauline herself—to become a professional bra fitter at 15 years old. Cathy has since spent decades refining her expertise, specializing in precision fitting, post-mastectomy care, and helping women feel confident and comfortable in their bodies. Deeply rooted in tradition while firmly focused on modern service, she continues to uphold the standards that have defined Pauline’s Lingerie for over half a century. 

Lifetime Achievement Award

About the Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award honours a woman entrepreneur in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville who has owned and actively operated a legally registered business for 15 or more years and made a lasting impact through leadership, innovation, and community involvement. Presented during the International Women’s Day celebration, it recognizes sustained business success, employment contributions, and meaningful community engagement, celebrating role models who inspire others across the region.

Recognition Event: International Woman's Day, March 5th, 2026

Sponsorship Opportunity

There are sponsorship opportunities for this event. Becoming a sponsor is a meaningful way to showcase your support for women in business while gaining visibility with an engaged and diverse audience. If you’re interested, please email carol.hardy@uclg.on.ca to discuss options that align with your goals.

This event is hosted by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville - Small Business and the Small Business Advisory Centre Smiths Falls/Lanark County.