A dynamic speaker, author and business expert with a deep knowledge of the art of human connections, Cathy Kuzel has been networking and building successful business relationships for more than 25 years and is increasingly sought after as an expert on the subject.

“You would never know that I was rather shy when I was young. Talking to strangers was challenging. Now look at me – my career puts me at the front of the room speaking to hundreds of strangers!”

As a ‘serial entrepreneur’, Kuzel owns and operates two companies in addition to creating and chairing The Connected Woman Association. The first, Makel Industries Inc., specializes in infrared sensor technology for the international dairy, pharmaceutical and beverage industries.

As the Connected Woman, a professional mentor and Business Development Strategist, she finds great personal fulfillment in helping others succeed. She has developed and implemented strategic sales and marketing programs with proven success rates for small to mid-size companies and organizations of 150+ members.

“I did not have the opportunity to work with a mentor when I built my first two businesses. I wish I had. Everything I’ve learned has been through trial and error, a desire to succeed and the ability to ask for help.” Kuzel is passing along those same life and business lessons to the next generation of entrepreneurs as a mentor with Women’s Enterprise Centre’s Peer Mentoring program. “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be a mentor with WEC’s One-to-One Mentoring program and I am thrilled to expand that to include Peer Mentoring. I am a firm believer in ‘Knowledge Shared is Success Magnified’.”

Her passion and dedication to helping women succeed also extends to her involvement with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, Junior Achievement, her community and the Connected Woman Association’s initiative to support HIV+ women in Kenya (just to name a few!)