Carp’s Stewart named one of Canada’s most powerful women

CARP – Local entrepreneur and community leader Jennifer Stewart was named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women today (Sept. 9) by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN), earning a place on the 2026 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards list.

Stewart was selected in the Entrepreneurs category, one of 10 women recognized nationally in the category this year. WXN describes the Top 100 as Canada’s most recognized honour for high-achieving women leaders. For more than two decades, the national awards have recognized women whose leadership and accomplishments have made a significant impact in business, entrepreneurship, community, philanthropy and other sectors across the country.

“Raise Your Glass,” founder and CEO of WXN Media and editor-in-chief of Be Bold Magazine Sherri Stevens said. “Here’s to the bold, is more than this year’s theme. It is a celebration of the choices these remarkable women made to lead with courage, challenge expectations and create lasting impact. Every honouree has a story of resilience, conviction and bold leadership. Today, we raise a glass not only to what they have achieved, but to the decisions, determination and purpose that brought them here. Their leadership is shaping a stronger future for Canada and inspiring the next generation to lead boldly.”

Stewart is the founder and chief executive officer of Syntax Strategic, a national strategic communications firm headquartered in the Village of Carp, with an additional office in Vancouver. Founded in 2010, Syntax has grown from a local communications company in to a national agency working across strategic communications, public affairs, advocacy, crisis communications and creative services.

She is also the owner of Ottawa Valley Grain Products, a fourth-generation custom grain mill that has operated in Carp since 1929 and continues to source grain from farms throughout the Ottawa Valley.

A significant landowner and investor in Carp, Stewart has also focused on revitalizing commercial properties in the village core. Over the past years, she has purchased and revitalized the properties now home to Skylark, Pawsh Pets and Village Station, adjacent to Ridge Rock Brewing Company, creating and preserving commercial space for locally owned businesses.

Her community involvement extends well beyond her businesses. Stewart previously served as chair of the Village of Carp Business Improvement Area, where she helped lead successful grant initiatives for the wooden Village of Carp signs at three entrances to the community, as well as revitalization work and the mural at the Carp Community Hall.

Stewart also co-founded the Carp Harvest Supper, an annual event celebrating local farmers, food producers and businesses. The inaugural event raised $10,000 for the West Carleton Food Access Centre while showcasing food produced throughout the region.

Her broader civic leadership includes serving on the boards of the Ottawa Board of Trade, BGC Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, contributing to initiatives focused on economic growth; opportunities for children and youth; and the future of healthcare in the region.

Stewart was previously recognized as an Ottawa Forty Under 40 recipient and has twice been named among Ottawa Life Magazine’s Top 25 People in the Capital. She is also a frequent national media commentator on communications, public affairs and crisis communications.

WXN’s Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards have been recognizing leading Canadian women for more than 20 years. The program has honoured more than 1,700 women and is designed to recognize leaders who have achieved at the highest levels while influencing their organizations, industries and communities.

The 2026 recipients will be celebrated at the Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards Gala on Nov. 26 at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.

For West Carleton, the recognition highlights a career built from Carp that now reaches nationally, combining entrepreneurship and business growth with continued investment in the village and the broader Ottawa community.

To see the entire list, click here.