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Women and Global Entrepreneurship Panel

Saturday, February 1st

12pm

 

Join us for an incredible and lively panel discussion on Women and Global Entrepreneurship in honor of St. Brigid’s Day. We will be joined by a group of phenomenal panelists who will discuss their experiences and the current business climate. We will also have local vendors to explore and learn more about. Find out some of those vendors below!

Please join us from 12-1pm for the panel, followed by an hour of conversation, light food, drinks, and a performance from Edelawit and our friends at Stillson School of Irish Dance! This event is free and open to the public!

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Meet the Panelists!

Martina Curtin

President of Irish Cultural Centre Boston
Co-Founder of Mná Mheiriceá

Martina Curtin is an accomplished entrepreneur and community leader. She founded CHC Home Care, a boutique home care agency that she scaled into a multimillion-dollar company, ultimately leading to its acquisition by a publicly traded corporation in 2020. In 2024, she launched Concierge HomeCare Plus, a company dedicated to delivering exceptional care and case management services designed to support clients’ well-being and peace of mind wherever they are in the world.

As the first female President of the Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston, Martina has expanded cultural programming, creating stronger connections between the Centre and the Greater Boston community.
Born and raised in County Clare, Ireland, Martina is the eldest of 11 children. She is also the co-founder of Mná Mheiriceá, a women’s networking organization founded by women for women. The initiative fosters meaningful connections, mentorship, and empowerment for women of all backgrounds.
In 2019, Martina received the Care Ambassador Award at the Irish Echo Small Business Impact Awards, and in 2024, she was named a Community Champion by the Irish Echo Newspaper for living up to the best traditions of the American Irish.
She is an active member of the New England Council, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and Irish Network Boston. Martina holds an Executive MBA from Suffolk University and has completed three Boston Marathons. She resides in Back Bay with her husband, Craig, a proud Maine native.
Her guiding philosophy, “Goals are achieved through hard work, high standards, and surrounding yourself with good people,” reflects her approach to leadership and success.

Grace Mo-Phillips

International trade entrepreneur
Program director of the CEI Women’s Business Center in Portland
Leads the BIPOC Women’s Business Navigator

As Program Director at the CEI Women’s Business Center, Grace helps entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs start and grow their business, with a special mission to support the ethnically and socially underserved groups.  Grace previously worked in the consumer goods industry, where she was a product developer and marketer of trend-right products that were sold in major national retail stores, such as Walmart, Macy’s, and Pottery Barn. She has worked in a variety of business settings, from small companies to large public corporations.  With a strong background in international trade, Grace started her exporting company in 2014 — Belle Cove, LLC, which focuses on selling frozen seafood from the Americas to Asia and Europe.  Grace holds an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and International Business from Minnesota State University.  Grace has earned the Certified Global Business Professional designation in Maine from North American Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE).   In 2024, Grace was named SBA Exporter of the Year and MaineBiz  Woman To Watch Honoree.

Headshot credit:  “Taken by Justine Johnson Photography”

 

 

Khadija El Barkaoui, PhD

Founder of Coelle Travel, a sustainable travel social enterprise
Global management consultant

Khadija El Barkaoui is the founder of Coelle Travel, an international travel social enterprise based in Portland, Maine. Drawing from her identity as an Indigenous Amazigh woman from Morocco, Khadija is dedicated to creating authentic, community-based travel experiences that honor indigenous cultures and highlight the contributions of women in tourism. Based in Maine, her work focuses on sustainable tourism, offering immersive cultural journeys that celebrate the heritage and daily lives of the regions visited while supporting local initiatives and women-owned enterprises.

With extensive work experience in Africa, Europe, and the USA, Khadija brings a global perspective to her efforts. Alongside her work in travel, she is an experienced global management consultant specializing in optimizing international talent strategies, fostering cross-cultural integration, and building diverse, inclusive workplaces. Guided by a PhD in International Human Resources Management and a deep passion for community service, she integrates global insights with local values to help organizations and individuals thrive in an interconnected world.

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Featured Performers!

Stillson School of Irish Dance

www.stillsonirishdance.com

The Stillson School of Irish Dance is the only certified school in the state of Maine. Carlene Moran Stillson ADCRG / TCRG is accredited by An Coimisiun in Dublin, Ireland and a member of IDTANA (Irish Dancing Teacher’s Association of North America) and The New England Region teaching organizations since 1991. 

The school’s dancers compete all over New England and place in the New England Regional Championships annually. Dancers have placed in the North American Irish Dance Championships, as well as competed in the All Ireland Championships, The European Championships, Great Britain Championships and the World Irish Dance Championships. Students of the Stillson School of Irish Dance are proud to have performed with Cherish the Ladies, Solas, The Trinity Irish Dance Company, Natalie MacMaster, and Eileen Ivers among many others.

​When you decide to join us at Stillson School of Irish Dance, you too will be able to take advantage of our professional staff. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced dancer looking to improve your technique, we guarantee you’ll find it here.

Edelawit

@edelawitmusic

 

Edelawit is a coastal cowgirl from Maine who plays her own soulful blend of folk and country music. she is a production assistant at Monaco Studios/Equal Measure Arts, where she’s also recording her own music. She will be starting at Fisk University in Nashville this fall to study music business. She likes all music and just wants to have a good time!

 

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Highlighted Exhibitors!

Daeun Kim with Kimchi Beyond Compare!

www.kimchibeyondcompare.com

I moved to the State of Maine back in 2013 leaving my home country of South Korea. Since my move to the USA, I always missed my mom and aunt’s kimchi and, unfortunately, all kimchi products in the US market never really satisfied me. One day my mom was telling me how flavors are really dictated from the ingredients’ quality. She also mentioned how an ingredients origin can make all the difference. I trust my mom in all food-related matters as her and her twin sister have owned a restaurant my whole life! My mom and aunt brought a bag of South Korean pepper powder when they visited me and made kimchi for my family. It was the perfect flavor that I had been missing. Since then, I have a strong belief in the importance of key ingredients in recipes, especially kimchi. You cannot ignore how the ingredient was grown, harvested, and processed with climate, soil, and weather conditions in its home country. Our ingredients all come from very trustful and reputable sources from South Korea and local markets in Maine, while availability allows it.
I have always been interested about healthy and diverse food. This led me to my university in which I obtained my food engineering bachelor’s degree. My passion and love of kimchi encouraged me to explore other kimchi types.
We currently make three types of kimchi that are all naturally free of gluten, sugar, dairy, MSG, and soy, all in small batches. Our traditional kimchi is based on my mom and aunt’s traditional Korean recipe, including salted shrimp and anchovy sauce. Crunchy napa cabbage with that tangy, spicy flavor that goes well with almost anything! Our vegan kimchi is free of the top nine allergens, and yet still has the true umami, rich flavor. Lastly, our baek kimchi is another type of traditional kimchi. I started making this kimchi for my children as this recipe does not use pepper powder. This kimchi is perfect for my children, and watching my son and daughter eating and enjoying my kimchi puts a smile on my face. However, don’t be fooled, this kimchi can be enjoyed by anyone, of all ages and spice tolerances.
I feel confidence and excitement in sharing our amazing family’s recipe to yours.

Juliana with Kili Organics!

kiliorganics.com

Juliana is the founder of Kili Organics, a company dedicated to supplying premium superfood products. Driven by a passion for wellness, her mission is to share the rich, nutrient-packed offerings of Tanzania with her local community in Maine and health-conscious individuals worldwide.

FROM TANZANIA TO YOU

Born out of love for authentic Tanzanian produce, we bring you the true essence of Africa’s heartland. A land of lush greenery, expansive savanna, vibrant soil, and tropical sun – all captured in our pure and powerful products, Baobab and Moringa.

OUR MISSION
At Kili Organics, we take pride in offering 100% natural and organic Moringa and Baobab products, sourced directly from the heart of Tanzania. Our mission is simple: to provide you with access to the finest quality superfoods that nature has to offer. Join us on this journey of wellness and discovery and experience the purity and vitality of Tanzania with our Moringa and Baobab products.

 

Samar Khuder

Samar Khuder is originally from Iraq. She immigrated to Syria due to war in her home country. In 2008, Samar and her family were relocated by the UN to New England, where she rapidly rose to the top of her class. She graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Health Care Administration at University of New England. She previously worked as a CHW supervisor and a Program Coordinator for New England Arab American Organization, where she managed several youth leadership programs, provided translation services, and connected with community members as a cultural broker. She is also a certified domestic violence advocate with experience working in rural communities. Samar recently published her first children’s book, The Auranthem Tree, with a goal of teaching young children about refugees and the challenges they face to be here. She recently was honored by Arab America Foundation for her accomplishments, and is a recipient of their 30 Under 30 national award.

Oluwabusola “Busola” Olagunju

Oluwabusola “Busola” Olagunju is a Nigerian-born fashion designer based in Maine, blending her expertise in project management with a passion for fashion. A graduate of Northeastern University’s Roux Institute, she is the founder of Luxe by Dorcass, a brand known for its bold, intricate designs. Her work has been showcased at Maine’s STITCH fashion show and other notable events. Busola is committed to sustainability, inclusivity, and creating opportunities for underrepresented designers, using fashion as a tool for empowerment and storytelling. Bringing with me a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, culture, and community, my journey in fashion began with inspiration from my mother, whose resourcefulness and artistry instilled in me a love for creating and designing instead of settling for my sisters hands-me-downs. This early inspiration, combined with a modest background and a deep passion for art, led me to master fashion design. Over time, I independently mastered fashion design, blending it with my expertise in project management to build a career that is both innovative and impactful. My work is deeply rooted in sustainability, inclusivity, and empowerment, making high fashion accessible while ensuring that every piece I create tells a meaningful story. Vision To create a world where fashion is not only a reflection of beauty and creativity but also a catalyst for empowerment, sustainability, and inclusivity. My vision is to build a legacy that bridges diverse cultures, fosters opportunities for underrepresented individuals, and transforms the fashion industry into a force for ethical innovation and community impact. Inspiration My inspiration comes from the resilience and creativity of my roots in Nigeria, where my mother’s artistry first sparked my passion for design. I am deeply motivated by the stories of individuals who, despite challenges, rise to unlock their potential. Every garment I create and every person I mentor fuels my drive to make fashion more than a business—it’s a platform to uplift voices, tell meaningful stories, and empower others to thrive. The beauty of collaboration, the power of community, and the urgent need for sustainability are at the heart of everything I do. Mission My mission is to foster creativity and accessibility in design, ensuring that fashion is not just about aesthetics but also about impact. I am committed to promoting eco-friendly practices, supporting underrepresented communities, and creating opportunities for emerging artists. Through my work, I strive to make fashion a transformative tool for positive change, where every stitch represents a step toward a more inclusive, sustainable, and empowered world.