The Voice of Women Podcast Episodes: Women's Interesting and Inspiring Real Life Stories
Episode 59 - Sheenah Rogers-Pfeiffer
Sheenah Rogers-Pfeiffer is a two-time founder and CEO. At the age of 26, she founded Anstice, a strategic marketing and research firm she has built over the past 13 years, where she worked with the likes of Starbucks, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Los Cabos Tourism, Remy Martin, Ocean's Tuna and Dream Real Estate. She also held positions with Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, the Vancouver Canucks and the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Bid. Sheenah entered the technology start-up space after launching ari Technologies in 2020, an app that connects retailers, brands and customers to facilitate commerce. She is also a mom to three and a wife to one and sits on the Board of Directors for Capture Photo Festival, and is on the Dr. Peter's Centre Life Commitment Committee. Sheenah is also a known fitness and shopping enthusiast in her spare time.
Episode 58 - Tammy Phan
Tammy Phan is the founder and visionary behind Canada's leading online luxury destination where you can shop, sell, rent and restore designer handbags - Luxe Du Jour. Tammy worked in the financial industry for several years before pursuing her passion for sustainability and high-end luxury by creating Luxe Du Jour. What started off as a ‘side hustle’ of selling her own handbags, slowly grew into a full-fledged business now with 5 locations worldwide. Through her story, Tammy hopes to inspire women all around the world to pursue their dreams and pave their own paths instead of following the status quo.
Episode 57 - Kathy Le
Kathy Le is an award-winning journalist with CTV News Calgary. She was honoured a prestigious RTDNA award for Enterprise journalism for her documentary “Covid-19: The Spread of Racism”. Kathy was also awarded the Spirit of NAIT alumni award for excelling in her career. She has been nominated eight times for an RTDNA award for projects, including four documentaries and investigative stories, and was nominated by the Canadian Journalism Foundation for the national Jackman award for Excellence in Journalism.
In addition to reporting, Kathy co-anchors the evening news on the weekend. Her mission as a journalist is to produce stories that will make a difference in the world.
When Kathy is not working, she emcees and speaks at charity and special events. She has taken the stage at more than 100 events and is highly sought out by non-profits organizations and other groups. Using her knowledge and experience, Kathy dedicates her time coaching public speaking to help others find their voice and elevate their delivery.
During her free time, Kathy also volunteers with the Rotary Club Heritage Park. In addition to helping out local organizations, she has had the privilege of travelling with the Rotary club to remote parts of the world where the club has projects that helps the communities in need.
Episode 56 - Julie Shipley-Strickland
Passionate, forthright and dynamic, Julie Shipley-Strickland builds strong relationships with her valued clients by understanding their goals, supporting their concerns and providing thoughtful and strategic solutions. As a Senior Investment Advisor with Wellington-Altus Private Wealth and a Senior Insurance Advisor with Bergh Tatomir & Associates, Julie provides independent investment advice, financial planning, insurance solutions and clear guidance to entrepreneurs, executives and their families.
As one of the few female investments and insurance advisors in Canada, Julie is paving the way for future females in finance with her strong leadership and dedication to women-led businesses in the community.
Episode 55 - Evelyn Ackah
Evelyn Ackah is the Founder and Managing Lawyer of Ackah Business Immigration Law with offices in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. Her legal practice focuses exclusively on Canadian and cross-border NAFTA US immigration law. After 12 years of practicing law in Toronto at national and international law firms on Bay Street, she moved to Calgary in 2008 as a partner with a leading national law firm. In 2010, Evelyn launched her own firm to focus on what she does best – immigration - and to provide innovative and flexible legal solutions that embody Evelyn’s independent spirit, her passion for law and her desire to provide the best possible client service.
Episode 54 - Astokomii Smith
Astokomii Smith is a proud member of the Siksika Nation. She is currently the Indigenous Liaison for the Town of Strathmore where role entails bridging connections and breaking down the barriers between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. In 2019, Astokomii had the honour of being chosen as the Calgary Stampede First Nations Princess where she represented Treaty 7 and the Calgary Stampede at over 400 events locally, nationally and internationally.
Episode 53 - Dena Dixon
Dena Dixon is the first woman to be elected president of the Ranchmen’s Club, a Calgary institution founded 130 years ago, before Alberta became a province. She has spent most of her life in Calgary as a volunteer with numerous organizations such as the Calgary Stampede, The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and The Alex, while working in several family businesses.
Dena is passionate about working with people and strives to continuously improve her business and governance skills, along with her remarkable interpersonal abilities. She leads an active lifestyle and enjoys playing in the great outdoors cycling, skiing, hiking, fishing and traveling.
Episode 52 - Sandy O'Connor
Born and raised in Calgary, Sandy O’Connor considers herself fortunate to call the Calgary area home. Passionate about Calgary and all that it offers, she strives to build community, and give back through volunteering. A lifelong volunteer, today volunteering takes the form of serving on boards of not-for-profit organizations including the Calgary Stampede and the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association.
With a business background in governance and compliance, Sandy spent over 30 years working at TransAlta and is now consulting to power companies across Canada and the United States. Being able to take her career skills and now use them to help not-for-profits has been a rewarding experience.
Sandy and her husband Mike live on a small ranch outside of Okotoks where they enjoy their horses. The Stampede roots run deep in her family, from her first job as an usher at the Stampede, to today, where Mike and her step-son Sean also both volunteer on the Stampede Rodeo Committee.
Episode 51 - Jyoti Gondek
Jyoti Gondek believes that we can no longer afford to be polarized and allow the pendulum to swing between extremes, never resting in a position of balance. Because without balance, we cannot get our footing to move forward. Jyoti is a driven community builder and diversity champion, dedicated to lifting others. To get to the root of problems, she probes, builds alliances, and looks at creative ways to solve issues that affect Calgarians’ lives and livelihoods. Jyoti fosters environments that are open, inviting, integrated, cross cultural, multi-generational and anchored in social connections.
Jyoti also believes in the power of cross-sector partnerships where businesses, social organizations and educational institutions are connected to local governments. The more we can understand complex issues from all angles, the better we are able to uncover solutions.
Jyoti’s household consists of her mum, Surjit, husband Todd, 16-year-old Justice and Smokey the dog. Like many Calgarians, Jyoti understands the blessings and challenges of managing a multi-generational home, but wouldn’t have it any other way. At the end of the day, family has always been a priority, and it’s this experience that makes her a strong, compassionate and resilient leader.
Episode 50 - Frances Wright
Frances Wright is very grateful that her parents brought her to Calgary from South Africa when she was six years old.
Calgary has been a great place to receive education (B.A., Psychology/Sociology, U of C, an Hons. B.Journalism, Carleton; and a Canadian Securities Course); start businesses (Wright Consultants 1975-79; PORTS International 1980-90; Pillow Parlor 1991-93 and MOMpreneur® 2008-2011); and launch foundations (Famous 5 Foundation, Founder/CEO 1995-2004 and the Canadian Centre for Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse – cc4ms, Founder/CEO, 2012- present). Currently, she is the Chair of the F5F focusing on inspiring women to be nation builders – and celebrate the 95th Anniversary of the ‘Persons’ Case on Oct. 18, 2024.
Frances and her friends established the Hazel Gillespie Community Investment Leadership Award in 2007 to honour Hazel Gillespie and celebrate outstanding community investment leaders. Since 2003, Frances and some of her other friends have hosted Breaking Bread dinners to raise funds for teachers in Afghanistan through Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan.
Frances is the grateful recipient of a number of awards such as the Integrity Award from Rotary, the Governor General’s ‘Persons’ Award, an Honourary Degree from U of C, the Alberta Order of Excellence and an Order of Canada. All have been accepted in the name of everyone who has helped along the way!
As the happy and proud spouse of Richard Pootmans, our next City Councillor for Ward 6, Frances is looking forward to many more years of repaying Canada for allowing her to be a citizen.
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