March 8, 2026
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, we’re spotlighting women-led organizations within the Digital Nova Scotia network who are making an impact across the tech sector.
These founders and leaders are building companies, creating opportunities in their communities, and helping shape the future of tech in Nova Scotia. From digital marketing and media to AI and data, their work reflects the innovation and leadership driving our ecosystem forward.
We asked each of them to share the inspiration behind their organizations, the challenges they’ve navigated, and the advice they have for women considering a career in tech.
Ingrid Deon
Ingrid Deon, Founder and CEO of word-craft, started her business in 2019 after having worked at a digital marketing agency in Halifax/Toronto for more than three years. Today, word-craft is a team of five talented women, headquartered in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, who work with clients across Canada. The company specializes in organic social media strategy and content creation, and works with clients such as Nestlé Canada, Crosby’s Molasses and The Handpie Co. Ingrid is passionate about hiring local talent and giving opportunities to people in the Yarmouth area to work in an award-winning marketing agency.
1. What inspired you to start (or lead) your organization, and what problem are you most passionate about solving?
I started word-craft because of my passion for organic social media, and I saw there was a need for a marketing agency that specializes in organic social. Most marketing agencies create ad campaigns, but organic social media is less about selling products and services, and more about curating a community of loyal and engaged fans. We’re one of the few agencies that do what we do, and I’m super proud of that.
2. What’s one challenge you’ve faced as a woman in tech, and how did you navigate it?
Early on, a lot of people gave me unsolicited business advice. I think people felt compelled to give me that advice because I’m a woman with no background in business. A lot of it was bad advice, but I’m thankful that I followed my women’s intuition and ignored most of it!
3. How has being based in Nova Scotia shaped your journey or influenced your organization’s growth?
I’m passionate about hiring locally and creating well-paying marketing jobs in Yarmouth. I’m proud to say that my entire team is Nova Scotian, and most of us are in Yarmouth and Digby counties. It’s incredibly important to me to have an impact on diversifying the local economy – one that has relied on fishing, forestry and tourism for a very long time. I want to change that.
4. What advice would you give to women who are considering starting or growing a career in tech?
Besides “don’t listen to unsolicited advice?” Have the audacity to do what you want to do. Take up space. Don’t shrink or de-value yourself. You’re talented, valuable and you bring something to the table that no one else does.
5. What’s one belief or mindset that has helped you succeed?
Everything is figure-outable!
kerra aucoin mansfield
Kerra Aucoin Mansfield is the founder of KA Social Media Consulting, a Nova Scotia–based digital marketing agency specializing in social media strategy, content creation, and digital growth systems. With over 20 years of marketing experience and more than a decade in business, she partners with tourism operators, small businesses, and organizations to strengthen their online presence and build sustainable visibility.
1. What inspired you to start (or lead) your organization, and what problem are you most passionate about solving?
I started my business in 2014 after realizing that many small businesses were overwhelmed by social media and unsure how to use it strategically. I saw talented entrepreneurs struggling with visibility simply because digital marketing felt intimidating or time-consuming. I’m most passionate about helping businesses simplify technology, build confidence, and use digital tools, including AI, in a way that feels empowering instead of overwhelming.
2. What’s one challenge you’ve faced as a woman in tech, and how did you navigate it?
One challenge has been being taken seriously in rooms where tech is still viewed as highly technical or male-dominated. Social media and digital marketing are sometimes underestimated as “easy” or “intuitive,” when in reality they require strategic thinking, analytics, and systems. I navigated this by consistently delivering results, investing in ongoing education (especially in AI and emerging tools), and positioning myself not just as a content creator, but as a strategist and consultant.
3. How has being based in Nova Scotia shaped your journey or influenced your organization’s growth?
Being based in Nova Scotia has shaped everything about my work. Our communities are relationship-driven, and tourism and small business are deeply interconnected. That environment has taught me to focus on collaboration over competition and long-term partnerships over quick wins. It has also pushed me to think creatively about how rural and regional businesses can compete globally using digital tools.
4. What advice would you give to women who are considering starting or growing a career in tech?
Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready, start before you feel ready. Technology evolves quickly, and confidence comes from action, not perfection. Invest in learning, surround yourself with other ambitious women, and remember that tech isn’t just coding, it’s strategy, creativity, data, AI, communication, and problem-solving. There is room for everyone.
5. What’s one belief or mindset that has helped you succeed?
Growth happens in community and collaborations. My business motto has always been “Let’s Grow Together,” and I truly believe that collaboration accelerates success. When you share knowledge, build strong networks, and lift others up, your own opportunities expand. Success is not a solo journey, it’s a collective one.
Ocean Pratt
Based in West Hants, Nova Scotia, Ocean Pratt is the founder of Ocean Edge Media, a digital marketing and web design studio helping local businesses stand out online. She blends a hands-on background in carpentry with a sharp eye for branding and strategy to create digital experiences that actually convert. Passionate about community and small business growth, she focuses on giving Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs the tools and visibility they need to thrive.
1. What inspired you to start (or lead) your organization, and what problem are you most passionate about solving?
I started Ocean Edge Media because I saw how many local businesses struggled to get noticed online. Great companies were offering incredible products and services, but they weren’t reaching their audience effectively. I wanted to bridge that gap by creating modern websites, strong branding, and social media strategies that actually drive results. I’m most passionate about helping small businesses in Atlantic Canada compete on a larger scale through storytelling, design, and data-driven marketing.
2. What’s one challenge you’ve faced as a woman in tech, and how did you navigate it?
One challenge has been earning credibility in a field that’s often male-dominated, especially when it comes to the technical side of web development. Early on, I had to prove my expertise again and again, often through results rather than just words. Over time, I learned to let my work speak for itself and built confidence by continually expanding my skill set. Now, I focus on mentoring others especially women so they can navigate those same challenges with more support than I had starting out.
3. How has being based in Nova Scotia shaped your journey or influenced your organization’s growth?
Nova Scotia has a tight-knit business community, and that’s been an incredible advantage. Word-of-mouth and local reputation mean everything here. The support for small businesses and the growing digital ecosystem in Atlantic Canada have really encouraged collaboration and innovation. Being based here also reminds me to keep things grounded. Our work at Ocean Edge Media is about real people, local stories, and community impact.
4. What advice would you give to women who are considering starting or growing a career in tech?
Don’t wait for permission to start, just begin. The tech world moves fast, and there’s room for diverse perspectives and creativity. Find a network of mentors and peers who challenge and support you, continuously learn new tools, and stay confident in your unique voice. Most importantly, remember that you don’t have to know everything. Curiosity and adaptability will take you further than perfection ever will.
5. What’s one belief or mindset that has helped you succeed?
I’ve always believed that progress matters more than perfection. In both business and technology, things rarely go exactly as planned. Instead of waiting for the “perfect” moment or product, I focus on learning, testing, and improving. That mindset has allowed me to stay flexible, innovate faster, and build genuine relationships with my clients.
Lindsay Stockall
Lindsay Stockall is the founder of Stockall & Company, a performance-driven digital marketing agency working with growth-stage brands across Canada and the U.S. Her work sits at the intersection of paid media, data infrastructure, and revenue strategy, helping companies move from “marketing activity” to measurable growth. She’s known for building lean systems, demanding accountability, and prioritizing outcomes over optics.
1. What inspired you to start (or lead) your organization, and what problem are you most passionate about solving?
After spending more than a decade on the client side working with agencies and technology partners, I saw how powerful marketing could be when strategy, execution, and accountability were truly aligned. I started my agency to bring experienced specialists together in a way that genuinely supports businesses as they grow. I’m most passionate about helping teams turn effort into impact and feel confident in the decisions they’re making.
2. What’s one challenge you’ve faced as a woman in tech, and how did you navigate it?
I’ve always seen being a woman in tech as an opportunity rather than a limitation. It’s allowed me to bring a different perspective into rooms and to stand out in meaningful ways. I’ve also been fortunate to be supported and mentored by incredible leaders in the tech space, many of whom happen to be men and I’m grateful for the role collaboration and allyship have played in my journey.
3. How has being based in Nova Scotia shaped your journey or influenced your organization’s growth?
Nova Scotia played a formative role in how I approach business. Being part of a close-knit ecosystem encouraged collaboration, resourcefulness, and strong fundamentals. Those early experiences shaped how I build teams and systems today, even as the business expanded beyond the province.
4. What advice would you give to women who are considering starting or growing a career in tech?
Focus on deep learning and steady growth; there’s real value in taking the time to build strong foundations. Lead with integrity, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Surround yourself with people who challenge you and support your growth, especially within your local tech community.
5. What’s one belief or mindset that has helped you succeed?
Clarity and integrity guide everything I do. When decisions are grounded in data, transparency, and trust, progress feels more sustainable and collaborative. That mindset has helped me build long-term relationships and contribute meaningfully to the communities I work in.
Sreejata Chatterjee
Sreejata Chatterjee is an AI practitioner and 3X founder with 15+ years of experience leading products. She co-founded and exited LeadSift (AI-driven marketing intelligence platform), and now leads HiVanya Inc, to bridge the gap between AI potential and actual ROI!
Outside of the tech startup works, she’s a professor of Data Analytics at Saint Mary’s, an early-stage investor, and the co-leads the local Women in Machine Learning community.
1. What inspired you to start (or lead) your organization, and what problem are you most passionate about solving?
This is my third venture, so maybe I’m just a sucker for punishment. Having spent my entire career in AI, it was exciting to see the tech finally become accessible to everyone, but also, honestly, a little infuriating to see “AI” turn into a buzzword. I watched companies lean into it but struggle to get any actual ROI, often ending up frustrated. I’ve always been passionate about using tech to solve real, messy problems, so helping businesses move past the hype and find actual value felt like the right calling.
2. What’s one challenge you’ve faced as a woman in tech, and how did you navigate it?
I started in tech over 20 years ago and co-founded our first venture-backed startup nearly 14 years ago. To say it was lonely would be a massive understatement; at every founder meetup or investor offsite, I was usually the only woman in the room. People almost always assumed I was doing anything but the technical work. The flip side is that once you make some noise, it’s easy to stand out. I leaned into volunteering with organizations like Ladies Learning Code and Dalhousie WiTS, and eventually co-founding Women in Machine Learning to build the community I wish I’d had back then.
3. How has being based in Nova Scotia shaped your journey or influenced your organization’s growth?
Atlantic Canadians are genuinely some of the warmest people I’ve ever met, and that support has shaped every step of our journey as entrepreneurs. We started at local pitch competitions where mentors didn’t just give advice, they reached out, guided us, made introductions and eventually became our first investors. I’ll always be grateful for that; it’s an ecosystem that shows up for its founders.
4. What advice would you give to women who are considering starting or growing a career in tech?
I call myself a pitbull and although I sometimes find myself out of place in a China shop, I keep pushing through with my big head. As women in tech, we will be misunderstood but we must keep pushing through. My best advice? Learn how technology and business work hand-in-hand, always ask to get paid what you’re worth, and find a community that keeps you sane.
5. What’s one belief or mindset that has helped you succeed?
“You don’t fail until you give up”. Careers, success, and even happiness are all long games. There will be pivots, setbacks, and heartbreaks along the way, but I’ve found that the combination of ambition and resilience is unstoppable.
Ashleigh Kuniski
Ashleigh Kuniski is the Co-Founder of Mira Media, a Nova Scotia–based media agency built at the intersection of strategy and performance. She launched the company alongside Emma Colson in 2024 after more than a decade building agency teams, and leading B2C and B2B SaaS paid media programs. Her experience across agency and startup environments shaped a clear belief: strong strategy and continuous optimization should work hand in hand. Today, she’s passionate about building high-performing teams and proving that world-class marketing strategy can be created from Atlantic Canada.
1. What inspired you to start (or lead) your organization, and what problem are you most passionate about solving?
After working across a variety of agencies, I saw a clear gap between traditional media planning and performance marketing. Strategy was often built without post-launch optimization, while performance teams optimized constantly without a strong strategic foundation. Mira Media was created to merge those two approaches — launching with intention and evolving through insightful optimization. I’m equally passionate about building an agency where both clients and employees are treated with transparency, respect, and long-term partnership in mind.
2. What’s one challenge you’ve faced as a woman in tech, and how did you navigate it?
Only 1% of advertising agencies are owned by women. That statistic alone has been a massive challenge to overcome. I’ve learned since starting Mira Media that we need to focus on aligning ourselves with clients and partners that mirror our values, and to stop trying to over-prove our worth to those that undermine us. Energy is contagious, and we’re hyper-focused on working with people that match our energy.
3. How has being based in Nova Scotia shaped your journey or influenced your organization’s growth?
Building Mira in Nova Scotia has proven that world-class work isn’t limited to major tech hubs. We have clients all over the globe, and our home base location has never once been a hindrance. Being Nova Scotian has also shaped our company culture, which is extremely rooted in balance. Our balanced culture is still felt amongst our remote team that are located all over Canada, and even Mexico!
4. What advice would you give to women who are considering starting or growing a career in tech?
Confidence opens doors! Ask tech founders that you admire for coffee-chats, attend networking events, join online communities
5. What’s one belief or mindset that has helped you succeed?
If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room! There is so much growth that can come from pushing your own boundaries. I am a big proponent of working at multiple companies early in your career to get new experience, gain new perspectives, and get uncomfortable.
To continue celebrating International Women’s Day, join us for a virtual panel discussion on mentorship in the tech sector on March 24. Our panelists will explore how mentorship, sponsorship, and community support help create opportunities and pathways for women in tech.
Registration is free for Digital Nova Scotia members:
https://members-digitalnovascotia.wildapricot.org/event-6554559