Chelsea Brown
Chelsea Brown is a Canadian social entrepreneur, media host/producer, and human rights advocate. She is the founder and CEO of The Millie Community, a social enterprise that amplifies women’s voices through economic empowerment, education, and storytelling. Brown hosts The Millie Podcast and has moderated live events and conducted interviews with thought leaders from around the world. She also serves as Major Donor Manager at UK-based charity Young Epilepsy and sits on the board of the Zimbabwe Educational Trust.
Early life and education
Brown was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. She was influenced by her mother, Debi Brown, whose trailblazing career in finance included executive leadership roles at CIBC and Deutsche Bank. As one of the first women to serve as Chief Information Officer at both banks, Debi’s achievements shaped Chelsea’s view of what was possible for women in global leadership roles. Brown’s upbringing included time in the United Kingdom and the United States, experiences that broadened her perspective and inspired an early interest in global issues and social impact.
She studied psychology at the University of Guelph and fashion at the Art Institute of Vancouver. Later, she completed a certificate in Social Impact Consulting at Georgetown University and was selected as a Vital Voices GROW Fellow in 2023.[1]
Career
Early career
Brown began her professional life in the corporate sector, working in finance, client relations, and corporate social responsibility, including roles at Leon Frazer & Associates and Clarity Management Group. During this time, she built expertise in philanthropy, strategic partnerships, and stakeholder engagement.
The Millie Community
In 2017, Brown founded The Millie Community, an international social enterprise amplifying women’s voices, driven by the belief that connection and compassion can change lives. Originally conceived as a women-led initiative offering purpose-driven travel through Millie Travels and live storytelling events through Millie Speaks, the organization pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic from in-person gatherings to a global platform focused on digital storytelling, access to education, and economic empowerment for women worldwide.[2]
Millie Speaks
Launched in Toronto, Millie Speaks brought together women from around the world to engage in candid conversations about leadership, authenticity, identity, and global connection. Brown moderated live panels featuring notable speakers, including television host Sangita Patel, jewelry designer Jenny Bird, content creator and entrepreneur Sasha Exeter, and the late Brenda Trenowden CBE, a diversity champion and former chair of the 30% Club.[3]
The Millie Podcast
Since 2020, Brown has hosted and produced The Millie Podcast, which features conversations with changemakers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Guests include Dame Elizabeth Anionwu DBE FRCN, Lina Khalifeh, Jenn Harper, Afiya Francisco, Karlyn Percil, and Elena Christopoulos.[4]
Millie Artisan Market
The Millie Artisan Market promotes economic opportunity for women artisans in over a dozen countries by selling handmade homeware, décor, and textiles. The initiative partners with makers in Jordan, Uganda, Guatemala, India, and more, and features both online sales and curated in-person pop-ups throughout the year. The Millie Artisan Market has also participated in high-profile collaborations, including The Pin Project and the Sitti x Millie Higher Education Gift Box, which supports education for Palestinian women.[5]
Millie Education Fund
Launched as a quarterly grant initiative, the Millie Education Fund offers financial support and mentorship to women pursuing academic or professional development. Past recipients include Shirley Kandabu of Uganda’s Anza Grow Academy, who used her grant to attend the Oxford Social Finance Programme.[6]
Interviewing and moderating work
Brown is widely recognized for her work as a media host, interviewer, and public speaker. In addition to hosting The Millie Podcast, she has moderated live panels, Zoom events, and Instagram broadcasts with organizations such as Femme International and Cheekbone Beauty.
In 2019, Brown filmed interviews at the Za'atari refugee camp in Jordan with Jordanian-Palestinian director Nadia Bseiso, highlighting stories of displaced women and artisans. She was also the creator and executive producer of Her Story, a docuseries pilot amplifying women’s stories, featuring notable Jordanian women such as Suzanne Afanah and Sarra Ghazi.
Brown played a key role in bringing the Canadian premiere of the film Trafficked to Toronto after attending its world premiere at the United Nations. She collaborated with Canadian anti-trafficking nonprofit Free-Them to raise awareness and support for the cause. She also facilitated screening events at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) for the Oscar-winning short film Skin and the feature film Human Capital, both produced by female-led company Maven Pictures, founded by Trudie Styler and Celine Rattray.[7]
Humanitarian and board work
With over eight years of experience in global humanitarian work, Brown has led or supported initiatives across Canada, the United States, East Africa, Jordan, and the United Kingdom. Her work focuses on creating strategic, high-impact partnerships that support women and marginalized communities.
- Zimbabwe Educational Trust – Trustee, advancing grassroots education initiatives in Zimbabwe
- Femme International – Board member and advisor, supporting menstrual equity in East Africa
- Sitti Social Enterprise – Advisory board member, empowering Palestinian refugee women through fair trade employment
Personal life
Brown is married to professional ice hockey player Mike Pelech. She has lived in Canada, the United States, Hungary, and the United Kingdom, and has led over a dozen international trips to Jordan since 2017. Her early interests included competitive horseback riding, and she once aspired to compete professionally. She currently resides in London.[8]
Recognition and fellowships
- Vital Voices GROW Fellow, 2023[1]
- Social Impact Consulting Certificate, Georgetown University, 2022
- Featured in NUVO, Fashion Magazine, HOLR Magazine, and The Globe and Mail[9][10]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "VV Grow Fellow Blog Series: Chelsea Brown", Vital Voices. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ Nerberg, Susan. "Deep dive through Jordan: Women-Only itinerary encourages travellers to let go of apprehensions," The Globe and Mail, 7 November 2018.
- ↑ McKenna, Meghan. "A Look Inside Millie Speaks’ Inaugural Event," Fashion Magazine, 1 October 2018.
- ↑ Walsh, Brad. "Chelsea Brown Episode S01 EPS 198," Empowerography Podcast, 27 June 2021.
- ↑ "Support and Honour World Refugee Day with #ThePinProject and Millie Marketplace," HOLR Magazine, June 2021.
- ↑ Edwards, Lauren. "The Millie Education Fund Invests in Women’s Professional Journeys," NUVO Magazine, 2024.
- ↑ Good, Tara. "A New Wave of Female Leadership: In Conversation with Millie Founder Chelsea Brown," HOLR Magazine, 2020.
- ↑ Cash, Alice. "Connection to Exploration with Millie Founder and CEO Chelsea Brown," The Weekly Woman Podcast, Jubilance Blog.
- ↑ Goff, Caitlin. "The Gifts That Keep on Giving: A charitable gift guide," NUVO Magazine, 10 December 2021.
- ↑ Roe, Louise. "Gift Guide 2021: For the Home," Front Roe by Louise Roe, 2021.
External links
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