Meet Bobbie Racette, a Métis-Cree, 2SLGBTQIA+ entrepreneur whose journey from adversity to global recognition shows how Canada’s inclusive innovation is fuelled by belonging.

At a glance

Leading through resilience and vision
After being laid off from her oil and gas job, Racette launched Virtual Gurus, connecting businesses with remote assistants, many from marginalized communities.

Driven by determination to grow
After 170 rejections, she became Canada’s first Indigenous woman to close Series A funding and has now raised $20 million for her thriving business.

Building belonging into business
Racette has fostered an inclusive culture at Virtual Gurus, building a team that is hardworking, loyal and free to channel their energy into innovation and results.

Breaking barriers on the global stage
Now a sought-after speaker and award-winning entrepreneur, Racette shares her smart, sustainable style of leadership at events around the world.

Why it matters for your next meeting
Inclusive innovation thrives in Canada—making it the ideal destination for business events that spark global ideas and lasting impact.

Leading through resilience and vision

Today, Racette is Founder and President of Virtual Gurus, connecting businesses with remote assistants, many from marginalized and underserved communities.

But it wasn’t always so. Back in 2016, she was working in Alberta’s oil and gas industry—until she was let go and doors refused to open. 

“Nobody was hiring me because of who I am. I’m an Indigenous, queer woman with tattoos everywhere… They just didn't think I could do it,” she recalls. 

So, she created her own opportunity, offering her services as a remote assistant. Virtual Gurus was born.

“If nobody was going to give me a seat at the table, then I needed to take the seat myself.”

Though she faced rejection at first, her determination—combined with Canada’s supportive ecosystem—turned that into opportunity. 

True to her vision, Virtual Gurus is now one of many companies, programs and networks across Canada making it easier for underrepresented communities to thrive.

Driven by determination to grow

Within a year, Racette’s solo business topped $300,000 in revenue. By 2017, she hired her first assistant.

“That's when the light bulb went on,” said Racette. “I could create a platform for people like me, people who aren't given a chance, people who are told, ‘No’, and people who are looking for work like me, who could never get it.”

Virtual Gurus quickly became one of North America’s leading talent platforms, employing thousands from diverse backgrounds.

She became Canada’s first Indigenous woman to close Series A funding for a tech startup and has now raised more than $20 million. 

But it wasn’t easy.

“I had no financial literacy training when I was younger. I didn't know what to do... I pitched and pitched and pitched. I went through 170 ‘Nos’ before I got the one ‘Yes’ that changed it all.”

Her journey underscores the connection between personal resilience and systemic innovation.

“They didn't think I actually had the ability to do this, because I was so inexperienced… so I chose not to give those voices power and I let the rejection fuel my fire.” 

Building belonging into business

For Racette, success isn’t just about growth metrics. It’s about building a workplace where everyone can show up authentically. 

“I wanted people, whether they’re in our platform working virtually or in our headquarters, to come to a place where they could be themselves—however they wanted,” she explains.

At Virtual Gurus, that philosophy shows up daily. Employees are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work—through cultural traditions or even dogs in the office. Flexible work options, wellness-focused policies and visible representation signal that belonging is not optional—it’s foundational.

“I needed to show that people could be accepted… We try to make it so that everybody feels like they belong… We all support each other for our quirks, our neurodiversity, for who we are.”

The outcome? A hardworking, loyal team with near-zero turnover, proud of belonging to a workplace that accepts everyone. 

As Racette puts it, this leadership approach is about more than diversity and inclusion—it drives economic opportunity and results.

“It's about people wanting to come and channel the energy into building and growing and thriving. If you open the doors for them, your company will explode…Magic happens when you do that.”

Breaking barriers on the global stage

By creating Virtual Gurus, Racette is passing on lessons learned from her mothers—two strong, successful queer women in small-town Saskatchewan. 

“My mom was the first carpenter woman in Saskatchewan…They went out and they did what they had to do,” said Racette. 

“That was the root of it all, that taught me that resilience and working hard was what I needed to do.”  

Today, Racette travels the world, sharing her story, while Virtual Gurus expands across North America and embraces ethical artificial intelligence, building an AI agent into its operations.

Her leadership has been recognized with awards including EY Entrepreneur of the Year and Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year from the University of Victoria. 

Beyond business, Racette chairs the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation and QueerTech, and sits on the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation board.

Despite all her success, Racette remains driven by a deep resilience and purpose.

“What I do best, is showing people that we all belong. And I think that that's something that I'll never shy away from.”