Women’s LEAD is a platform designed to elevate the inspirational and empowering stories of impactful women who serve as role models and mentors in our communities. Through shared content, event experiences, and a wealth of knowledge, Nicola Wealth Management Ltd. has connected a remarkable group of women spanning generations, professions, and backgrounds to build a community focused on lifting each other up.
Join us for this year’s thoughtfully curated event experience, bringing together an influential audience of individuals with a common interest, wellbeing.
The event will feature a panel of accomplished women, moderated by the talented Jessica Holmes who will elevate the conversation, helping each panelist share their stories in a thought-provoking and inspiring discourse around wellbeing in its many forms. This is an opportunity to not only hear from an esteemed panel, but also to engage in meaningful discussions and form lasting connections.
Nicola Wealth Speaker
Guest Panelists
Indira V. Samarasekera, O.C.
Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones LLP and serves on the Board of Directors of Magna International, TC Energy, Intact Financial Corporation and Stelco
Dr. Indira V. Samarasekera is a Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones LLP and serves on the Board of Directors of Magna International, TC Energy, Intact Financial Corporation and Stelco. She served for over a decade on the Board of Bank of Nova Scotia. Dr. Samarasekera is on the selection panel for Canada’s outstanding CEO of the Year sponsored by Caldwell Partners and Bennett Jones. She was a member of the TMX Group/Institute of Corporate Directors Committee to Chart the Future of Corporate Governance in Canada. Dr. Samarasekera is a co-author of the book, “ Nerve, Lessons on Leadership from two women who went first”, ECW Press 2021. She recently served on Canada’s Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments for the Canadian Senate.
Arati Sharma
Entrepreneur, Angel Investor, and Technology Leader
Arati Sharma is an entrepreneur, angel investor, and technology leader based in Toronto, Canada. She is the Co-Founder of Ghlee, a ghee-based skincare brand, and a Founding Partner of Backbone Angels, an investor collective led by women executives from Shopify. Arati spent nearly a decade at Shopify. Most recently, she was the Director of Product Marketing at Shopify responsible for global market strategy and campaigns.
Arati invests in companies and brands led by women and people of colour, with the aim of increasing representation and equitable access to resources for entrepreneurs of all backgrounds. She’s grown a portfolio of over 50 investments, including companies such as online legal service Willful, Sheertex, Ami Cole beauty, Kotn, and Ceremonia hair care, and 1Password.
Arati was named NACO’s 2021 Angel of the Year, and one of DMZ’s 2022 Women of the Year.
Dr. Stacy Irvine, BSc. Kin; M.Sc.; D.C.; CSCS
Founder and Co-owner of Totum Life
Dr. Stacy Irvine is a founder and co-owner of Totum Life Science, one of the top-rated Canadian fitness and sports medicine companies with five locations in Toronto. Through her work as a strength and conditioning specialist, and chiropractor Dr. Irvine’s patients and clientele range from beginners, just starting out on an exercise program, to elite and professional athletes. She currently works as the strength and conditioning coach for the University of Toronto track team.
She recently published her first book titled “Your Better Instincts” and has been touring across Canada speaking about topics related to Instincts and how they impact our health, happiness and performance.
Dr. Irvine works extensively in the media as a Health and Fitness expert for Cityline and Breakfast Television and as a regular guest on The Tonic radio show with Zoomer media. She is often cited in various print media publications and was previously the health and fitness editor at Chatelaine magazine.
Before moving to Toronto, Dr.Irvine completed her Bachelor’s of Kinesiology and Masters of Science degree, specializing in Exercise Physiology at the University of Saskatchewan. During this time, she was a competitive member of the Varsity Track and Field team and the Varsity Swim Team. Following this program, she moved to Winnipeg to train and instruct full time with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
Due to her passion for helping out Canadian youth in fitness, Dr. Irvine and her colleagues at Totum Life Science, developed a physical literacy training program along with a High Performance Sports Training Academy, dedicated to helping children become the best movers they can be. This program has been successful in training and educating hundreds of young athletes at Totum.
An avid outdoor enthusiast, Dr. Irvine hopes to spend as much time as possible with her family enjoying the beauty of nature in their Airstream trailer and hiking through the various ravines and trails of this beautiful country, with her dogs trailing not too far behind.
Jennifer Jones, OM, MSM, BA, LLB, LLD
Athlete & Lawyer
Jennifer Jones is one of the world’s most accomplished athletes in curling; she is a seasoned and versatile lawyer; a motivational speaker; a dedicated community volunteer and a loving mother.
As an athlete, Jennifer has a distinguished career as an Olympic champion, world champion, and national champion. Jennifer has won the national curling championship six times, is a two time World Champion and in 2014 her team was the first women’s curling team to be undefeated in Olympic competition, winning the gold medal. She has been named the greatest Canadian female skip and overall curler in history of the sport by TSN.
Jennifer is also an accomplished lawyer, motivational speaker and television presenter. She serves in numerous volunteer boards and endeavours, including Special Olympics Canada and the Champions Network, working to promote Special Olympics and athletes with intellectual disabilities. Jennifer’s distinction in her curling career, in positivity as a person on and off the curling ice, and her distinction as a role model not only for aspiring athletes, but for all Canadians, have earned her the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor-General of Canada. As well, she has been awarded the Order of Manitoba and has received an honorary degree (Doctor of Laws) from the University of Manitoba.
Amid this decorated career, Jennifer also dedicates herself as a proud and devoted Mom of two young daughters.
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