Speaker Bios

2025 BPW Ontario Conference & AGM

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Senior Wealth Advisor, CFP, CIM, CFDS

Jill Knowles

Jill Knowles, CFP, CIM, CFDS, is a Senior Wealth Advisor and Portfolio Manager with Scotia Wealth Management. She will share her life-changing experience in Tanzania, Africa, where she embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime journey.

During her trip to Tanzania, Jill climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and took part in a transformative coaching and volunteer program. The volunteer work supported The Dare Women's Foundation in building a shelter in Arusha and empowering women to start their own businesses, helping them achieve financial independence. Jill will describe her incredible journey, focusing on themes of empowerment, personal growth, leadership, and the impact of supporting women.

With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Jill has developed extensive expertise in investment and retirement planning, estate planning, and insurance needs analysis. This broad knowledge allows her to effectively serve clients with diverse and complex financial needs. Jill finds particular fulfillment in empowering women through the financial planning process, especially those navigating newfound independence—whether through the loss of a spouse, divorce, or a desire to take control of their financial futures.

Jill holds several professional designations, including Certified Financial Planner (CFP) from the Financial Planning Standards Council, Chartered Investment Manager (CIM), Chartered Financial Divorce Specialist (CFDS), a life insurance license through the FSCO, and the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) through the Canadian Securities Institute.

BPW North America and Carribean Regional Coordinator

Karin Gorgerat

Karin Gorgerat has been elected as the BPW North American and Caribbean Regional Coordinator. She is a Past President of the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW Canada) and has held various roles on the BPW Canada board for the past 14 years.

Karin has been a member of BPW Trenton & District, now known as the Hastings and Prince Edward Club, for over 30 years, and served as the former President of BPW Ontario. She has also represented BPW Canada as a delegate at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York.

After a distinguished 43-year career with BMO Bank of Montreal, Karin retired a few years ago as a regional sales manager. In this role, she led large teams and served as a mentor to many branch managers.

Karin is currently a Director of Trenval Business Development Corporation, a government-funded organization focused on job creation in the Belleville, Ontario, region. She works on the Investment Committee, providing loans to small businesses. She is also the Director of Women’s W.O.R.K., a charitable organization that funds seminars sponsored by BPW clubs across Canada.

Throughout her professional career and her involvement with BPW, Karin has been an exemplary leader and mentor.

Outside of work and volunteering, Karin lives in Frankford, Ontario, with her husband. She has two sons and is a proud grandmother to her new grandson.

Certified Municipal Manager III, Qualified Mediator, Trained Facilitator, Government Relations and Communications Professional

Sandra Sharpe

Sandra Sharpe is a Certified Municipal Manager III, a Qualified Mediator, a Trained Facilitator, and a skilled Government Relations and Communications Professional. With a long and progressive career in local government, Sandra has worked closely with elected officials, senior administration, not-for-profit organizations, social service agencies, and community stakeholders to build creative, inclusive communities. She has developed and implemented effective communication, conflict resolution, and public engagement strategies throughout her career. She is experienced in facilitating complex discussions, fostering collaborative conversations, and building positive stakeholder relationships.