Voices of Leadership | Leadership Stories | Women Leadership | Female Founders – Détails, épisodes et analyse

On today's episode, we welcome Karen Coviello, a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience across multiple sectors. Karen is currently the Vice President of Affiliate Success at Habitat for Humanity Canada and also serves as the President & Chair of the Board at the YW Kitchener-Waterloo, advocating for women's issues and championing equity. 

We discuss the pivotal role of partnerships with families at Habitat for Humanity, addressing common misconceptions about their unique homeownership model and the powerful impact of working together toward a shared goal. Karen also shines a light on the transformative work happening at the YW in Waterloo Region, showcasing how the organization is reimagining shelter systems and creating dignified living spaces for women with complex needs.

Throughout her varied career, Karen has dedicated herself to building more equitable communities, especially in the Waterloo Region. Now, with her role at Habitat Canada, she's expanding that impact nationwide. We explore the many ways she's driving change and inspiring others along the way.

Connect With Karen:
LinkedIn

Resources:
Habitat for Humanity
YW Kitchener-Waterloo
Waterloo Public Library

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. When you do this, it helps to raise our podcast profile so more leaders can find us and be inspired by the stories our Voices of Leadership have to share.

Connect with us:
Voices of Leadership Website
Instagram
Bespoke Productions Hub

On today’s episode, we welcome Trish Barbato, the President and CEO of the Arthritis Society and the Co-Founder and Director of the Menopause Foundation of Canada. Trish is passionate about giving a voice to these often overlooked and underfunded causes and the people they impact.

Trish shares her deeply personal journey, detailing the severe symptoms and inadequate medical responses that ignited her passion for menopause advocacy, especially in the workplace.

 Discover how billions of dollars are lost because of the substantial economic and personal toll menopause can have on women in the workplace. We discuss the critical need for supportive workplace policies and the practical steps companies can take to foster an inclusive environment for women navigating menopause.

But that’s not all—Trish also dispels some common myths about arthritis, emphasizing that it’s not just an "old person’s disease." We learn how arthritis can affect anyone, from children to elite athletes, underscoring the importance of awareness and research for all age groups.

Trish’s unwavering dedication to shedding light on these misunderstood causes is nothing short of inspiring. Tune in to hear her insights and discover how you can be part of the movement to support those affected by menopause and arthritis.

Get Involved:
Arthritis Society of Canada
Menopause Foundation of Canada

Connect with Trish:
LinkedIn
Instagram - Arthritis Society
Instagram - Menopause Foundation

Resources:
Report: Menopause and Work in Canada

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. When you do this, it helps to raise our podcast profile so more leaders can find us and be inspired by the stories our Voices of Leadership have to share.

Connect with us:
Voices of Leadership Website
Instagram
Bespoke Productions Hub

On today's episode, we talk with Sherry Shannon VanStone, a trailblazing, successful serial entrepreneur.  Sherry is currently the founder of Profound Impact and the co-founder of Women Funding Women.

Sherry's career started with her being an accomplished code breaker, which she explains is just as cool as it sounds. She shares her insights and experiences on leading startups to successful exits, building a strong company culture, and the crucial process of finding a company's 'Why'.

Our conversation delves into the rapidly changing world of AI and Sherry's thoughts on its impact on businesses, as well as her thoughts on the future of AI and education. Sherry also talks about her experiences with mentorship, both as a mentee and a mentor, and how it has shaped her career.

Finally, we discuss Sherry's latest venture, Women Funding Women, a collective working to address the funding gap faced by women-led ventures.

Connect with Sherry
LinkedIn

Resources
Profound Impact
Women Funding Women
Find Your Why
The 51
Perimeter Institute
University of Waterloo

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. When you do this, it helps to raise our podcast profile so more leaders can find us and be inspired by the stories our Voices of Leadership have to share.

Connect with us:
Voices of Leadership Website
Instagram
Bespoke Productions Hub

On today's episode, we talk with Deborah MacLatchy, President and Vice-Chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University. She is also a zoologist who is passionate about science and is still actively involved in research and mentoring students across Canada.

We discuss the importance of nurturing young girls' interest in science during their high school years, setting the stage for further exploration in university. Deb shares insights into the success of the Laurier Center for Women in Science and addresses the barriers that women still face in attaining leadership roles in academic institutions.

Deb's passion extends beyond academia. She's also deeply committed to promoting equity in sports, particularly at the USport level. We talk about how to lead in different roles, and Deb offers her advice for the next generation of women leaders.

Connect with Deb
LinkedIn

Other Resources
Wilfrid Laurier University
Laurier Centre for Women in Science
Canada University Board
The Museum

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. When you do this, it helps to raise our podcast profile so more leaders can find us and be inspired by the stories our Voices of Leadership have to share.

Connect with us:
Voices of Leadership Website
Instagram
Bespoke Productions Hub

On today's episode, we talk with Tracy Van Kalsbeek. Tracy is an accomplished Executive Director, a passionate volunteer, and a valued community builder. Her leadership journey is a treasure trove of inspiration and wisdom for aspiring leaders.

Tracy takes us through her remarkable career trajectory, from her formative cadet days to her influential tenure at Manulife, her time at the Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area, and finally, KW Oktoberfest. She shares her insights on career navigation, the importance of mentorship, and overcoming challenges with grit and adaptability.

Tracy gives us a glimpse into the dynamic evolution of Oktoberfest. Her enthusiasm is infectious as she details the festival's strategic pivot towards becoming Canada's quintessential Fall Festival. From celebrating age-old traditions to integrating fresh, inclusive activities like Kidtoberfest and Dogtoberfest, Tracy's vision is a kaleidoscope of innovation and heritage.

Don't wait until October to get involved. The Women of the Year nominations are open until March 31, 2024. The awards will be held on May 23, 2024!

Connect with Tracy

Tracy also mentioned Ginny Dybenko and Jane Klugman, who have been part of her personal and professional journey. Both Ginny and Jane have been guests on the podcast, and you can listen to their episodes here:

Luminary Leadership with Ginny Dybenko
Lessons In Leadership: Showing Up and Asking Questions with Jane Klugman

Other Resources
KW Oktoberfest
Women of the Year Awards and Nominations
Uptown Waterloo BIA
Junior Achievement
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
Waterloo Region Community Foundation
The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. When you do this, it helps to raise our podcast profile so more leaders can find us and be inspired by the stories our Voices of Leadership have to share.

Connect with us:
Voices of Leadership Website
Instagram
Bespoke Productions Hub

Are you ready to learn how to talk about your work using purposeful self-promotion?

On today’s episode, we welcome Lisa Bragg, author of Bragging Rights: How to Talk about Your Work Using Purposeful Self-Promotion.

We had so much to talk about that we divided our conversation into two episodes. In part two, Lisa and I continue our conversation about imposter experience. We explore ideas from Lisa's book including the terms double bind, positional and professional influence, the Flip test, Tall Poppy syndrome and how ot start a Bragg book.

If you want to learn how to brag, this is a great place to start.

Connect with Lisa
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram

Resources
TEDWomen 2023
MediaFace
Kristen Pressner - The Flip Test
Dr. Rumeet Billan - Tall Poppy Syndrome
Charlie Bit My Finger

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. When you do this, it helps to raise our podcast profile so more leaders can find us and be inspired by the stories our Voices of Leadership have to share.

Connect with us:
Voices of Leadership Website
Instagram
Bespoke Productions Hub

Are you tired of feeling like your hard work and achievements go unnoticed?

Do you struggle with self-promotion and feel like you're not being seen or heard in your industry?

On today's episode, we talk with  Lisa Bragg, author of the book Bragging Rights: How to Talk about Your Work Using Purposeful Self-Promotion. Lisa is a renowned speaker, advisor, and professional mentor who helps high-achievers to share their value with the world.

We had so much to talk about that we divided our conversation into two episodes. In Part One we talk about Lisa's experience writing the book, the true definition of bragging and we learn what a Hidden Gem is.

If you want to learn how to brag, this is a great place to start

Connect with Lisa
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram

Resources
TEDWomen 2023
MediaFace
Kristen Pressner - The Flip Test
Dr. Rumeet Billan - Tall Poppy Syndrome
Charlie Bit My Finger

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. When you do this, it helps to raise our podcast profile so more leaders can find us and be inspired by the stories our Voices of Leadership have to share.

Connect with us:
Voices of Leadership Website
Instagram
Bespoke Productions Hub

Have you ever considered how a strong support network can catapult your career to new heights?

Patricia Polischuk, Vice President, Business Development with the Organizational & Talent Development practice at B. Riley Farber joins us to unravel the secrets of career empowerment and the transformative power of networking.

She shares her insights and advice on career transition, leadership, and organizational culture. We also discuss the importance of curiosity, resiliency and owning one's career.

Our dialogue takes a heartfelt turn as we reflect on the joy found in connecting people and fostering a workplace culture that's not only productive but also inclusive and supportive.

Paricia highlights the importance of networking, and she imparts strategies for building and maintaining relationships and how to engage your network when you are in a career transition.

Connect with Patricia
LinkedIn
Website

Resources
B. Riley Farber
Wilfrid Laurier University
Conestoga College

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. When you do this, it helps to raise our podcast profile so more leaders can find us and be inspired by the stories our Voices of Leadership have to share.

Connect with us:
Voices of Leadership Website
Instagram
Bespoke Productions Hub

In this episode, we welcome Melanie Rodriguez, Director of Corporate Partnerships with the Toronto Public Library Foundation. Melanie shares insights from her experience with the IWF Fellowship and emphasizes the importance of the continuous pursuit of learning and seizing opportunities for career pivots. We also discuss the importance of mentorship and the challenges facing female leaders today.

Melanie talks about her passion for education and literacy and ensuring children have access to quality education. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the power of education and the impact of strategic partnerships in creating equitable access to opportunity.

Connect with Melanie.
LinkedIn

Resources
Toronto Public Library
IWF Fellowship
The Judy Project
Institute of Southern Georgian Bay
Hoot Reading

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. When you do this, it helps to raise our podcast profile so more leaders can find us and be inspired by the stories our Voices of Leadership have to share.

Connect with us:
Voices of Leadership Website
Instagram
Bespoke Productions Hub

In this episode, we welcome Rosa Lupo. Rosa is a partner based in the Waterloo office of the Corporate Commercial Group with Gowling WLG, a global law firm. Her specialties include commercial real estate law both locally and globally.

Rosa shares with us the story of how watching the show L.A. Law influenced her decision to become a lawyer. We discuss the importance of using different leadership styles depending on the situation, and Rosa shares her views on mentorship and the importance of letting go of stereotypes and guilt in your career journey.

We explore Rosa’s criteria for sitting on boards and her involvement in the Enova power merger as the Chair of Enova Energy Corporation, Enova Poer’s parent company.

Join us as we learn from Rosa's vast experience and insights on leadership, mentorship, and community involvement.

Connect with Rosa.
Website
LinkedIn

Resources
Gowling WLG
University of Windsor
Enova Power
L.A. Law

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. When you do this, it helps to raise our podcast profile so more leaders can find us and be inspired by the stories our Voices of Leadership have to share.

Connect with us:
Voices of Leadership Website
Instagram
Bespoke Productions Hub