The Voice of Women Podcast Episodes: Women's Interesting and Inspiring Real Life Stories
Episode 41 - Stacey Lee
A litigator with over fifteen years’ experience, Stacey helps her clients navigate difficult and sensitive family law matters. She offers clients experienced counsel across a complete range of family legal issues including divorce & separation agreements, prenuptial agreements, post nuptial agreements, child custody, spousal support and child support. On every matter, Stacey aims to bring about a positive and lasting change for each client’s life, family relationships and financial position. Her clients range from high-net-worth individuals with complex business assets to parents seeking help with inter-jurisdictional custody disputes.
Whether she is advising someone involved in an amicable split or in a bitter dispute, Stacey always takes the time to ensure her clients fully understand the law, their options and her recommended steps. She gives honest, practical advice that aims to help clients move past the immediate conflict and consider the long-term significance of their actions. Stacey makes use of all the tools at her disposal to help clients, including mediation, arbitration and interim court applications. She makes regular court appearances at the Provincial Court, Court of Queen’s Bench and has also appeared at the Court of Appeal.
Stacey also assists her clients when they are purchasing or selling a home. She works closely with a trusted group of professionals, including psychologists, realtors and financial and investment advisors to ensure her clients are receiving the professional support they need.
Episode 40 - Lexi Pechout
Lexi Pechout has a background in racing and riding motorcycles her entire life story. Her passion for motorcycles started at the young age of two when her parents bought her first motorcycle. She grew up in the off-road motorcycle community where every weekend was spent riding or racing with friends and family. As she progressed they traveled as a family across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Japan, to events such as XGames, Hidaka Two Day Enduro, and the ISDE to name a few. "It was an incredible opportunity to compete against some of the best riders in the world" Pechout says. A part of her knew that racing full-time forever was not a reality as much as she didn't want to admit it.
Lexi decided to redirect her efforts after college by working full-time in the industry and hosting ladies events to encourage new riders into the sport. She is forever grateful for the opportunity to work in the industry and share her passion with other enthusiasts every day. She has recently started working with a women’s collective called SurfinBerms, where they create a safe place for women riders to get comfortable on two wheels. "Motorcycles put me in touch with some of the most wonderful people in the world.." Pechout says, "because of these experiences, and the people I have met I am compelled to empower others to network and create their own memories in the motorcycle community."
Episode 39 - Lauryn Vaughn
Lauryn Vaughn is an entrepreneur at heart founding Canada’s largest online destination for the resale of designer goods. She started her journey after living in Paris on a finite budget for almost 2 years after graduating university. Lauryn’s passion for the circular economy and love of fashion has inspired her to not only start The Upside but now a technology company that partners with retailers and brands allowing them to seamlessly realize the benefits of the resale industry. It's all Upside!
Episode 38 - Karina Birch
Karina Birch is co-owner and CEO of natural body care purveyor Rocky Mountain Soap Co. She and her husband Cam nurtured the company from its days as a 300 square foot shop in Canmore to the now 13 retail stores and 16,000 square foot workshop in Canmore. Believing ‘what goes on the body, goes in the body,’ Rocky is on a mission to created small-batch products using simple, natural and fresh ingredients.
Karina’s interest in natural beauty started when she was a young girl who loved smearing avocado on her face and putting egg in her hair. Now she gets to do the grown-up version of that every day.
Karina spends her time directing Rocky’s strategy, product development and brand. Since their earliest days, she and Cam have focused on fostering a strong company culture that empowers people to ‘Give it a Go,’ reminds them to ‘Be Kind,’ and encourages ‘Positivitude.’
In recent years, the company has expanded its ‘Cleaner Bodies, Cleaner World’ commitment to include its built environments. Rocky’s Canmore workshop and recent store builds and renovations have adhered to the highest standards of sustainable, responsible construction.
Karina balances running a rapidly growing company with raising three rapidly growing children. She maintains her sanity by taking advantage of having some of the best skiing, hiking and biking in the world on her doorstep to keep her active and balanced.
Rocky Mountain Soap has been included in the Profit 100 and Alberta Ventures ‘Fastest Growing Companies.’ Karina has been honoured as a female entrepreneur on the ‘W100’ list; a ‘Fierce Woman of Influence.’ She sits on the board for Rocky Mountain Ventures and is a current member and past board member of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) Calgary. She is also completed Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management Program (OPM).
Episode 37 - Kate Fert
Kate is a 23 year old social media influencer. Kate was born and raised in Red Deer Alberta, but moved to Okangan when she was 18 to pursue her online platform and education in business marketing. Kate’s passion for marketing came from her obsession with photography and fashion growing up. You can always find her with a camera shooting photos of herself and her friends. Over the years of posting lifestyle shots and beauty tips, she gained a strong and loyal following on Instagram that grew rapidly. Her online presence has given her opportunities like creating her own sunglasses, travelling, being the face front of many campaigns and now being a public figure.
Kate is an ambassador for many big names in social media such as Hot Miami Styles, Meshki, Miss Lola Official and has been featured in campaigns with Quay Australia, Flat Tummy Co and Honey Bum. Over the course of 6 years in doing social media influencing, Kate’s biggest accomplishment is her relationship with her followers. Being authentic and vulnerable are two things that Kate holds close to her heart. Kate then moved to Calgary at 22 years old to attend hair school so she could fulfill her lifelong dream of being a hairstylist. As a hairstylist, Kate loves talking about all things beauty on her page. Kate will always have a different hairstyle with each look she posts in. She looks forward to making her clients feel just as amazing on the outside as they are on the inside.
Episode 36 - Catherine Brownlee
Catherine Brownlee is the President and CEO of Catherine Brownlee Inc. (CBI), where she brings over 30 years’ experience in executive search and development, marketing strategies and networking from around the globe, across all sectors. Her database of over 85,000 contacts demonstrates her capacity to motivate, build and achieve results. Her forte is connecting people and organizations, while nurturing objectives and maintaining focus. She was recognized by her peers for her outstanding leadership with a Women of Influence Award, and a Paul Harris Award through the Rotary Club of Calgary, respectively.
Catherine is a recognized expert and speaker on the subject of industry strategies and advancements. She regularly presents career seminars for those looking to find the job of their dreams and maintain a competitive advantage in today’s market. Catherine also teaches her seminar content at SAIT and Mount Royal University. Catherine is the co-author of three bestsellers. Want to Work in Oil and Gas?, Cat’s Tips to Get the Job of Your Dreams and How to Sell in Any Economy, the latter of which hit the number one on Amazon, in three categories, on its first day of release.
In her spare time, Catherine is committed to serving her community and is an active member of the Rotary Club of Calgary. Her passion is seen in the areas of human rights, serving children, and disadvantaged communities.
Episode 35 - Dr. Natasha Iyer
Dr. Natasha Iyer wanted to be a doctor since she was 11 years old.
She spent her first 8 years of practicing as a rural emergency physician and family doctor. Her life felt ‘complete’: she delivered babies, looked after generations of families, with a mix of emergencies like heart attacks, broken bone, head injuries, with palliative care and long term care thrown into the mix. Everything she dreamed of doing, caring for patients and their families was a reality.
Then she began to feel unwell.
She gained weight out despite her careful diet and exercise, was exhausted, had over 15 migraines a month, and had brain fog. No one could uncover what was wrong, and her tests were all normal. Despite being a popular doctor who was so competent in caring for her patients, her own health declined. She didn’t feel well. She couldn’t imagine aging. If her 30’s felt so awful, what could 40 even begin to look like? Unimaginable.
Dr. Iyer discovered Functional Medicine: a discipline of medicine dedicated to restoring all body systems back to optimal. It looks at healthy aging and longevity, avoiding disease and disability. Her focus is on each person being unique, and understanding that what works for one person is certainly different from what works for someone else.
“EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED TO EVERYTHING ELSE”
Systems biology. Biotoxins. Mitochondrial function. Leaky gut. SIBO. Microbiome. Steroid pathways. Adrenal fatigue and the stress syndrome/ Burnout. Brain chemistry and neurotransmitters. Childhood stress and trauma. The gut-brain axis. These are just some of the areas a Functional Medicine Doctor looks at with each patient to help them achieve their best health and vitality.
Dr. Iyer has been an invited speaker at many conferences and events, including an International Women’s Health conference attended to by specialists and doctors from the US and Asia. She has been a frequent guest on national media both television and radio, as well as magazines.
She lives in Calgary, AB with her 2 sons and 2 dogs. They love the outdoors, staying active and even more, they love good food and fine dining.
Episode 34 - Malika Rajani
Malika expressed an innate creative aptitude that carried her through her formative years. She refined these talents at the Parsons School of Design in New York, graduating in fashion design in 2008. In New York her work was presented at Lord & Taylor’s 2008 line debut. While at Parsons Malika had an opportunity to intern for design houses such as Khan Lucas, Ralph Lauren, Red Cat Group and John Varvatos.
With relevant work experience and success under her belt. She then dove into her professional career as a outerwear designer in Canada. Fusing two loves of every woman, Fine Leather and elegant designs, Malika now proudly offers ready to wear outerwear products to its customers around the globe.
* On February 14, we will be launching the Diversity is Love campaign. To demonstrate the importance of this message, 20 per cent of all clothing sales from February 14 to March 14, 2021 will be donated to the chosen charity organization, . The campaign also includes video messages from a variety of Calgarians’ who share their thoughts on diversity on Malika Rajani's Instagram page. Malika_Rajani
“ I am inspired by the diversity of my clients - whom I am so grateful for. This campaign is for them and for the community to know that our brand is about empowering people by appreciating and respecting their individual differences. This diversity makes our world a more interesting place to live in,” says Malika Rajani.
Episode 33 - Ellen Parker
Ellen Parker is the proud founder of PARKER PR, a public relations firm in Calgary. PARKER PR is a group of communication professionals with a proven track record of helping businesses thrive through creating and implementing thoughtful communication strategies.
Prior to founding PARKER PR, Ellen worked in New York City for the Institute for Children and Poverty and for boutique PR firms representing a variety of celebrities, hotels and small businesses. In Canada, Ellen has worked for the Alberta government, WordFest: Banff Calgary International Writers Festival, the Calgary Food Bank and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
Ellen is most proud of her family - including her husband and her two boys, her team at PARKER PR, and her commitment to volunteerism. Ellen Parker is a Board Director for the National Board, Famous 5 Foundation, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Board of Trustees, the Co-Chair of the Hillhurst Parent Council and an ongoing volunteer for the Brenda Strafford Centre, a home for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Ellen is one of Avenue Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 Alumni and a recipient of the Mayors' Excellence Award for her work as the Manager of Education and Outreach with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
Episode 32 - Tracey Button
Tracey Button has been drawn to creative outlets and the arts her whole career. Her first job post graduation from design school was in skiwear, she won Designer of the Year from the F.A.D. for her collection and never looked back. This was the springboard to her involvement with the Olympic Games. She spent over 10 years creating custom apparel and merchandise for the Olympic Sponsor Partner Family. She travelled the world designing, producing and building distribution infrastructure while living in the Olympic host cities. Truly her dream job!
For eight years she chose to take a step back from the Olympics to raise her young son and daughter. During that time she enjoyed the opportunity to become involved in the community and her children’s schools on a volunteer basis. Tracey quickly saw a need for arts education in her children’s schools. This led to her work in arts and science education as well as early literacy initiatives for many years through: The Science Alberta Foundation/Mindfuel, The Royal Conservatory of Music and Calgary Reads.
Again she chose to take a step back from her career to care for her husband after he received a terminal cancer diagnosis. Gratefully, she is still caring for him as he defies all odds. Her volunteer work continues in the community, now with a focus on paediatric psychosocial oncology and survivorship. She also is a practising artist who creates commissioned oil paintings for private clients. Her work has been used by the film and commercial industry, including most recently in the Ghostbusters movie franchise.
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