L-r, Inka Mittler and Dana Morrison, 2024-25 Dr. Trudy Eagan Women in Business Award recipients
Gerald Schwartz School of Business students Dana Morrison and Inka Mittler have been described as dynamic, engaged, and as leaders. Now they can add recipients of the 2024-25 Dr. Trudy Eagan Women in Business Award.
The two fourth year students received the award, which recognizes outstanding achievement, during an awards presentation Nov. 14th.
Tiffany Sack, Developmental Economist with First Nations Financial Management, delivered the Dr. Trudy Eagan Women in Business Speaker Series keynote address at the event, which was hosted by the Schwartz Women in Business Society.
Dr. Trudy Eagan Women in Business Award recipients Inka Mittler (left) and Dana Morrison (right) with the Dr. Trudy Eagan Speaker Series guest speaker Tiffany Sack.
The awards have been bestowed annually to two outstanding female students at the Schwartz School since 2000 when Dr. Trudy Eagan, business leader, community activist, Xaverian, StFX honorary degree recipient, Hall of Honour inductee, friend and mentor, founded the Women in Business Speakers' Series and Award Presentation.
Schwartz School faculty Dr. Mary Oxner, chair of the awards committee, presented the awards on behalf of Dr. Eagan. The annual 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.
JOURNEY INTO BUSINESS
Ms. Sack's presentation focused around her journey into business, as well as the importance of connection and community and nurturing relationships. Her talk touched on perseverance and resiliency, on challenges, and challenges that can become opportunities. She touched both on her career beginnings as well as her journey following her passion for Indigenous economic improvement.
Ms. Sack is an Anishinabekwe from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Quebec, who began her career in her nation. She studied at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa and has held diverse roles in both science and public policy throughout her career. Along with her work as a developmental economist, she is pursuing her Executive Doctor of Business Administration (EDBA) at Saint Mary's University.
Women in Business Society event organizers Kathleen Gallagher (left) and Braelyn Spencer (right) with guest speaker Tiffany Sack (centre).
Ms. Sack holds a master's degree in business administration and community economic development from Cape Breton University and completed the Canadian Emerging Housing Scholars program. She has had the opportunity to advance First Nations priorities in various key roles, including serving as policy advisor to National Chief Perry Bellegarde and interim chief of staff to National Chief Cindy Woodhouse at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). She has also supported Canada's top public servants and political professionals through her cabinet experience and contributed to policy development work across multiple levels of the federal government. Additionally, she served in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the Forensics Laboratory.
Ms. Sack now lives in Eastern Passage, NS, with her husband and children. Her family is deeply involved in ceremonies, including sundance and pow-wows. She says these experiences have given her a profound understanding of the importance of community and connection, motivating her to bring meaningful change to nations.
2024-25 Dr. Trudy Eagan Women in Business Award Recipient Bios
Dana Morrison
Dana Morrison, a student from Nassau, Bahamas, has intertwined equity, diversity, and inclusivity within her involvement in a host of activities including several leadership roles at StFX such as the president of the BLACC Student Society, vice president of communication for the Business Society, vice president of competition for JDCC and as the representative for students of African Descent on the StFX's Board of Governors. Her support of both the underrepresented and underprivileged is further exemplified by her volunteerism with Kevin's Food Resource Center on campus and the Rotaract Society whose outreach benefits underprivileged youth and homeless individuals in our community. In recognition of her leadership in promoting an inclusive environment, she was awarded a McKenna Centre Racial Leadership Award for research, advocacy, and activism in the area of social justice. One of her references stated that she "is a great leader at StFX, an engaged student and a person who prioritizes experiential learning."
Inka Mittler
Inka Mittler, an international student from Germany now living in Cape Breton, has shown her entrepreneurial prowess to be elastic and contagious. She is involved as the co-president of the newly created Echo Marketing Society, a student-led marketing agency at StFX; as vice president of the newly formed LEEP Society, which develops and delivers financial literacy, entrepreneurship and life skills programming to the community; and as co-founder of Impact X: The Summit on Entrepreneurship and Social Change, which is offering workshops about social entrepreneurship, pitch competitions, and networking opportunities to students throughout the Maritime provinces and beyond. Off campus, she has founded two enterprises, namely SilverPro Ltd., offering business consulting and marketing services, and ReSpool - 2nd cycle filament, a social venture aimed at reducing plastic waste polluting the environment and creating a circular economy in the 3D printing industry. One of her references stated, "Entrepreneurs are dynamic problem solvers and innovative thinkers, and I can think of few students in my 25 years of teaching that exemplify this mindset and spirit better than Inka."
