The Voice of Women Podcast Episodes: Women's Interesting and Inspiring Real Life Stories
Episode 61 - Megan Golightly
When your life is simplified and decluttered, you can enjoy the small moments. Megan Golightly loves what she does and has been doing it for 14 years. She has a passion for problem-solving, organizing projects big and small, and working with families to see their homes and lives transformed. Her goal is to help you feel at ease in your home and eliminate the negative feelings you may have about your clutter. It's often hard work but worth it!
Megan holds a degree in Psychology and on-going study in Neuroscience peaked her curiosity on how the brain works in relation to the spaces in our homes. It’s unhealthy to have nagging critical thoughts about the state of our homes. Whether or not we believe these words, our subconscious mind does. Deciding how and where to start can be paralyzing. Megan can help motivate, inspire and uncover the psychology of organizing.
Episode 60 - Lauren Bilon
Lauren Bilon is the founder and creative visionary behind Plume, an eco-lux cosmetic brand that specializes in lash and brow growth. After the birth of her daughter, Lauren suffered from postpartum hormonal changes that caused her eyelashes to fall out. Once she realized that any of the products she could use to grow her lashes back would do so at the cost of her eye health, she set out to develop a better, safer approach. After a lengthy journey into the unknown, and with the help of her husband Brett (now CEO of Plume) and chemist Irene (formally of Rocky Mountain Soap Co.) she brought Plume into the world and has been the driving force behind better lashes and brows the world over.
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.
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