StFX Gerald Schwartz School of Business students Erica Cameron and Braelyn Spencer were named this year's recipients of the Dr. Trudy Eagan Women in Business Award, and BeBe founder Tiffany Mackay French delivered the keynote address during the 2025 Dr. Trudy Eagan Speakers' Series hosted Oct. 31 by the Schwartz Women in Business Society.
The Dr. Trudy Eagan Women in Business Awards recognize two fourth year women BBA students who demonstrate determination and perseverance, and who have made a positive impact on their classmates and program.
Tiffany Mackay French (centre) delivered the 2025 Dr. Trudy Eagan Speakers' Series address and Schwartz School of Business students Erica Cameron (left) and Braelyn Spencer (right) received this year's Dr. Trudy Eagan Women in Business Awards
This year's distinguished speaker, Tiffany Mackay French, is a teacher, lawyer and town councillor in Rothesay NB. Her latest venture is as an entrepreneur. BeBe is an apple cider vinegar drink produced from her family orchard's fresh-pressed cider. BeBe is an innovative wellness product. It's an artistic expression of vitality and an invitation to embrace wellness joyfully.
Bios for the keynote speaker and award winners follow:
Erica Cameron
Erica Cameron from Newmarket, ON, who earned her black belt in karate, has embraced the perseverance and resilience instilled in her through Shotokan Karate training, and has taken on many roles at StFX. She is enrolled in both the BBA honours in entrepreneurship and the BSc in human nutrition programs. She has the remarkable ability to recognize gaps in services and programs and the initiative to fill those gaps. She co-founded both Impact X and the Schwartz Women and Business Hub and is involved in a host of other societies and initiatives on campus. Impact X is in its second year and is a workshop/conference designed to attract students from across Atlantic Canada to both listen to successful entrepreneurs and present their own entrepreneurial projects and ideas. Recognizing a gap in women's representation in the Schwartz School of Business., she founded the Schwartz Women and Business Hub, a space for mentorship and networking. One of her references stated: "I was endlessly impressed by Erica's contribution and leadership. Founders are distinctly important to the organizations they launch - they establish vision and mission; they initiate and lead and they set culture."
Braelyn Spencer
Braelyn Spencer is from Renfrew, ON, where she learned the beauty of our earth through her Metis ancestry which taught her to care for others, to build strong relationships and to recognize we are all interconnected. She is enrolled in the BBA honours in management and leadership program. As a first generation university student, she is masterful in balancing success in academics, extensive involvement in her community, and multiple jobs all to maintain her financial independence. She credits the Schwartz Women in Business Society with providing her with a base which encouraged her early involvement on campus and now provides her with the opportunity to empower and support other women students. Within the Women in Business Society (and other initiatives), she has held various roles over the years including membership director, vice president and currently society president. She is also the founder of Global Brigades, the first legal empowerment chapter in Canada to support refugees' initiatives in Greece. She has been involved in other ways in the StFX community. For example, she has tutored Indigenous students from Paq'ntkek in the Mini U project, annually raised donations through Breast Cancer Awareness initiatives to support the local Breast Cancer Resource Room, and is developing an annual award for Indigenous women on campus. One of her references stated, "She exemplifies the kind of student who not only grows through her experiences but also uplifts those around her along the way."
Tiffany Mackay French
Tiffany Mackay French lives in Rothesay, NB with her husband and three sons. She holds degrees in fine arts, education, law, and a master's in laws specializing in dispute resolution. She has worked in publishing, as a high school teacher, and currently as both a town councilor (Rothesay, NB) and lawyer. She is also the co-founder of See Jane Run, a grassroots organization to promote and support women in leadership roles or running for political office. Ms. Mackay French also serves as the New Brunswick Branch Chair of the Canadian Bar Association's Women Lawyers Forum, the Vice-Chair of the Kennebecasis Regional Joint Board of Police Commissioners, and on numerous community organizations. Ms. Mackay French grew up on her family's apple farm in New Brunswick, which instilled in her a deep appreciation for natural goodness. While her brothers continue their father and grandfather's apple-growing tradition through Yip Cider, she felt inspired to create something uniquely meaningful a wellness brand that could help others embrace vitality in their daily lives. Her journey began with making apple cider vinegar from the orchard's fresh-pressed cider. What started as a personal wellness ritual evolved into a creative vision for helping others make wellness both beautiful and accessible. BeBe was founded. BeBe honours and celebrates her grandmother, known for her joy and remarkable vitality. She inspired Ms. Mackay French to develop not only BeBe Apple Cider Vinegar but also a line of delicious apple cider vinegar beverages that make wellness an enjoyable part of everyday life. BeBe represents more than innovative wellness products it's an artistic expression of vitality and an invitation to embrace wellness joyfully and Bebe's legacy of bringing light to others.
