Toronto – Two graduates of MBA programs at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management have been named among to the PROFIT/Chatelaine W100 ranking of Canada’s top female entrepreneurs with a third named as a rising entrepreneur to watch. A fourth company co-founded by a Rotman MBA graduate placed 1st in the ranking.
Tonia Jahshan, President & founder of Steeped Tea, which sells tea and accessories via 9,000 direct sellers, was named as Canada’s top female entrepreneur in the ranking. Hatem Jahshan, a graduate of the Rotman Evening MBA program in 2010, is the company’s CEO and founder. Both are regular speakers in MBA classes at the Rotman School.
Kim Shannon, President & Chief Investment Officer of Sionna Investment Managers, a value investing firm, placed 33rd in this year’s ranking. She graduated from the Rotman Evening MBA program in 1993.
Ann Kaplan, President & CEO of iFinance Canada, which provides small ticket consumer loans, placed 46th. She graduated from the Rotman Executive MBA program in 2005.
Both Shannon and Kaplan have appeared numerous times on the ranking.
Lena Koke, President of Axess Law, was named as a W100 Rising Star to Watch. She graduated from the JD/MBA program in 2008.
“It has been a privilege to watch Ann and Kim grow their businesses. We greatly appreciate that they continue to share their story, expertise and advice with fellow alumni, current students and the business community at large. Furthermore, we are excited to see Lena be named as a rising star in the Profit/Chatelaine W100,” says Jennifer Hildebrandt, Director Alumni Relations at the Rotman School.
The PROFIT/Chatelaine W100 ranking and awards program is Canada's largest celebration of entrepreneurial achievement by women. The PROFIT/Chatelaine W100 ranks female entrepreneurs by a composite score that considers the size, growth rate and profitability of the companies they own and manage. Winners are honoured in the June 2016 issue of Canadian Business magazine, as well as year-round at Chatelaine.com and at PROFITguide.com.
The Rotman School of Management is located in the heart of Canada’s commercial and cultural capital and is part of the University of Toronto, one of the world’s top 20 research universities. The Rotman School fosters a new way to think that enables our graduates to tackle today’s global business and societal challenges. For more information, visit www.rotman.utoronto.ca
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For more information:
Ken McGuffin
Manager, Media Relations
Rotman School of Management
University of Toronto
Voice 416.946.3818
E-mail mcguffin@rotman.utoronto.ca
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