Led by Connection, Grown by Many.
Rainbow Entrepreneur Collective is a queer-led space rooted in connection and care. We organize in circles, not ladders — guided by shared values, group decision-making, and trust in one another’s lived wisdom. Our strength is in how we listen, how we show up, and how we keep building together.
Who This is For
This is a place for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks dreaming, leading, and creating on their own terms. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a curious side-hustler, or someone imagining your first venture, you'll find connection and inspiration here. Our gatherings are designed for cross-pollination — where fresh ideas meet lived experience, and everyone learns from each other. You don’t have to “join” anything — just show up as you are, when you’re ready.
It All Started With a Circle
Rainbow Entrepreneur Collective began when a group of queer entrepreneurs and business leaders sat in a circle and shared stories. What we found there wasn’t just connection — it was relief, resonance, and recognition. We knew there were already great organizations out there doing important work for queer-owned businesses. But we saw a need for something different: a place to be real, to grow as people, and to build leadership from the inside out. We kept gathering, kept listening, and kept inviting others in.
Everything we’ve built since has grown from that same spark.
Our Steering Committee
Held By Many Hands
Our current Steering Committee is made up of community members who bring heart, thoughtfulness, and vision to our gatherings. We approach leadership as a practice of service, transparency, and reciprocity. Committee members rotate as the needs of our collective shift, and each voice in this circle helps shape what comes next.
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Sophia Ahamed
SHE/HER
Sophia Ahamed is a Designer, Creative Director and Visual Artist based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. She is the Principal and Creative Director of Monograph&Co, a full-service design studio known for crafting thoughtful, immersive experiences.
Her work has been featured in leading publications including Gestalten, Wired Magazine, Designboom, and more, reflecting her reputation in the global design community. She is also the CoCreate partner for Adobe and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Sophia is celebrated for her meticulous attention to detail and refined aesthetic—hallmarks that
elevates every project into a work of art. Specializing in branding and visual art for hospitality, interior, Development, and retail environments, her designs bring a whimsical sensibility that sparks imagination and enhances the guest experience. Each space she touches is layered with intention, personality, and a sense of play.
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Foxx Cant
SHE/THEY
Foxx Cant is a writer, filmmaker, educator and community organizer based in Metro Vancouver. She is the executive producer at Prismatic Fox Media, that provides video and photography production services, and founder and editor in chief of Anomalous Transmissions, a digital publishing company that specializes in the work of trans and non-binary fiction writers.
As a documentary filmmaker she seeks to amplify stories from the margins of society, while her fiction work consists of subversive stories delivered in a fun, colourful and approachable style. Her books, videos and essays have reached tens of thousands of people in over a dozen countries around the world.
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Jackie Steele
SHE/HER
Dr. Jackie F. Steele is a trilingual feminist legal scholar, political scientist and Japan expert. She spent 15 years in global academic research and teaching including as Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of OUP’s Social Science Japan Journal. As an international speaker/subject matter expert on comparative public policy, diversity data, elite parliamentary attitudes, governance ethics, and democratic institutions, she has advised at UN conferences on diverse citizenship, critical public policy and risk governance. She served as Senior DEI Business Partner for Amazon Japan G.K. and realized the dearth of rigorous diversity data used in multinational corporations.
Dr. Steele leads the global enjoi Innovation teams sitting in Japan and Canada in the development of a feminist legal tech SaaS solution and innovation auditing platform that delivers strategic business intelligence to C-suite leaders seeking global competitive edge through the power of their human capital. Driving literacy for over 25 years on ecosystems designs centered upon thought diversity, equitable workplaces and intersectional innovation, in 2021 Jackie was recognized as a “Most Inspiring Japanese Entrepreneur” (APAC Entrepreneur) and celebrated by Youtube x INvolve as a Top 100 OUTstanding Executive 2023 for her advocacy on LGBTQ inclusion and gender diversity in Japan. She is the legal Founder of FEW Japan Not-for-Profit Incorporated Association (2020) in Tokyo fostering intersectional inclusion for diverse women in Japan, is an active member of the Japanese Business Association of Vancouver (Konwakai), and is a longtime investor in Coralus Global (formerly SheEO).
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Parisa Poojah
SHE/HER
Bio coming soon!
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Parker Green McLean
THEY/HE
Bio coming soon!
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Tom Conway
HE/THEY
Tom has over 30 years experience as both a small business owner and as a non-profit and corporate senior leader. His most recent roles in BC included YPO, BC Schizophrenia and Small Business BC. As an individual with lived experience in the 2SLGBTQIA+ and disability communities, Tom has proudly stood committed to fostering a culture of acceptance, equality, and support for all for more than two decades. In British Columbia, we are fortunate to have a rich tapestry of folks who reflect the diversity of our communities. In all of his roles, Tom has worked to ensure that everyone, no matter whom or where, should have access to the same levels of service, dedication and respect. Commitment to inclusion and acceptance makes our province an even better place to live, work, and play. Tom believes in the importance of creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and celebrated.
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Jarren MacDougall
HE/HIM
Bio coming soon!
What People Are Saying
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“As a new queer entrepreneur, it's been great connecting with likeminded folks in Vancouver. With REC, I'm building my queer business community and I couldn't be happier.”
Chris, Vancouver Entrepreneur
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“I love the vibe of the space; it's warm, connective and professional without being desperately contrived”
Lindsey, Tech Entrepreneur
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“I've finally found a professional space where I can truly be myself. Thank you!”
Sophia, Creative Studio Owner
