Dawna Henderson, president/managing partner, henderson bas, Toronto

As a woman in the digital realm, Dawna Henderson is certainly a pioneer. But she’s also a pioneer, period, founding one of the first digital marketing agencies in the country back in 1999.

In recent months, the agency has hired 11 new staff members, is expanding its data analytics practice and media planning and buying business, and has landed some impressive new clients, including Capital One, Virgin Mobile, and Loblaw. Its growth over 2004 (for fiscal 2005) was about 22%.

Interestingly, Henderson’s career began in news as a photo editor for Associated/Canadian Press. From there, she entered into video production, then eventually her first agency, Ogilvy & Mather, as an account manager.

Beyond the boardroom:

* She sits on the Curriculum Committee of New Media at Sheridan College as well as the Mobile Film Festival.