Selena Woo, host of the Women's LEAD podcast and Vice President of Advisory Services, Associates & Operations at Nicola Wealth, reflects on the profound insights from the highly anticipated second annual Women's LEAD event held in Toronto this May. The event, hosted by Danielle Skipp, Managing Director, Ontario, alongside Jessica Holmes, Comedian, Author & Mental Health Advocate, provided a unique opportunity to hear from extraordinary women who fearlessly shared their personal journeys and triumphs in their relentless pursuit of success. The panel featured a remarkable lineup of accomplished individuals, each with a distinct story that captivated the audience.
Among the esteemed panelists were Jennifer Jones, an Olympic Medalist turned Lawyer, Arati Sharma, an Entrepreneur and Angel Investor, Dr. Indira Samarasekera, an Author, Professor, and Leader, and Dr. Stacy Irvine, Entrepreneur. Below are Selena’s takeaways from the event:
Be present. Laugh. Find Joy.
Women who lead with heart and candour, even in the face of uncertainty, are truly inspiring.
Though it's been two weeks since Women's LEAD Toronto, I still find myself recalling the poignant messages shared that night. I'm inspired by the thoughts of being present, always seeking joy, believing in yourself and what you're able to do — no matter your age or life stage. What really stuck with me is that there is no best-before date when it comes to achieving success.
One common theme emerged from the stories shared by the panelists: the importance of community and a strong, supportive network. Today, as leaders at home and in business, they are paying it forward to help others and to help shape our future generation.
Arati, when asked about her intention for speaking at the event, replied, “so young women walk away feeling like they belong”. She certainly achieved that goal. As an angel investor, she is dedicated to providing financial support and mentorship to women, non-binary individuals, and people of colour who are entrepreneurs.
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
Find your cheerleaders
Life doesn’t always go as planned, and at the age of 35, Indira found herself as a single mother with two children. Despite having a supporting ex-husband, she had to seek and create a community of support, which she lovingly referred to as her “meno-posse,” inspired by her daughter’s high school “posse”. This network of support was crucial as she hustled and worked tirelessly to build her career as a professor and researcher.
While life is filled with uncertainty, it is also short. Jennifer emphasized the importance of believing in yourself and surrounding yourself with people who believe in you. If others don’t believe in you, they have no place in your life. Sometimes, all it takes is one person who believes in you to transform your life. How many of us can resonate with this?
For Jennifer, her journey to winning an Olympic gold medal as skip of the Canadian curling team at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi was a testament to her resilience and determination. Just 18 months after undergoing ACL surgery and 15 months after becoming a mother for the first time, she achieved this remarkable feat. Her story highlighted the significance of having the right circle of supporters who cheer you on through the ups and downs of life.
As for Indira, it was her future co-author and president of the University of British Columbia at the time, Dr. Martha Piper, who presented her with a leadership opportunity as Vice President of Research at UBC in 2000. Up until that point, Indira had never envisioned a path to leadership for herself. She reflects on the importance of having someone who believes in you and opens doors of opportunity for you. Success can be achieved at any stage in life and at any age, and as someone who achieved career success much later in life, I really appreciated Indira reminding me that there is no “best before date” for our accomplishments. Society often pressures us to achieve specific milestones by certain deadlines, but Indira credits her incredible support system for helping her walk through that door of opportunity. As a leader, it is important to recognize the unique talents in others before they see it in themselves and provide them with opportunities.
Friendships between women are unique, and as Arati mentioned, sometimes we underestimate the value of comradery and support these friendships bring us. This serves as a powerful reminder to nurture and cultivate our women friendships and the community of women supporting women.
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
Well-being and Wellness
In an ever-changing, fast-paced world, especially since emerging from the pandemic, there has been an increased focus on mental health and well-being. This emphasis is crucial for navigating burnout and other stressors in our lives, enabling us to thrive. Stacy draws inspiration from her upbringing on a farm in Saskatchewan and reminded us that well-being and wellness are lifelong pursuits, deeply personal and individualized. What might work for one person may not for others, so it’s important to remove the comparative aspect. We all have a unique story, and Stacy encouraged us to embrace the ability to change and rewrite our narratives. We can make adjustments to our wellness plan along the way, taking note of what is working and what is not. The universe provides us with opportunities for fresh starts, and we have to embrace them. In challenging times, we don’t always have to fight our way through; we can find humour and shift our focus to finding laughter as our way out instead.
Another struggle many of us face in relation to well-being and wellness is achieving balance. Indira shared her perspective that balance isn’t something we can attain every day or every month; it’s about finding balance over your entire life. It's normal to experience struggles along the way. When we view balance through this lens, it’s okay to give ourselves permission if we don’t find perfect harmony on a particular day or week. There are plenty of days and weeks in our lifetime to strive for some semblance of balance.
Imposter syndrome
Imposter syndrome is a term we often hear, and it's important to note that it's not always a negative thing that we must overcome. In fact, it was refreshing to hear how Arati reframes this narrative for herself. She views imposter syndrome as an opportunity to embrace a growth mindset. It’s an acknowledgment that you are at the beginning of something new, embarking on a fresh journey and it’s perfectly alright not to be an expert from the start. What many people fail to realize is that imposter syndrome can actually indicate that you are in a phase of learning and growth, and it reflects your ability to learn. Next time you find yourself doubting your abilities, consider whether it’s related to a new project or a stretch assignment you are working on. It’s an opportunity to recognize your own potential.
Being present
There is amazing power in the act of being present, living with mindfulness and embracing the moment. Jennifer eloquently shared her experiences and highlighted her greatest takeaway: the ability to cherish and enjoy the small pleasures that life offers. When she reflects on what she wants for her children, it is their happiness, enjoyment of life, and the pursuit of ambitious dreams. She emphasizes that if we want the best for our children, we must also prioritize these values in our own lives.
A term that Indira used was “Chief Joy Maker” when she described her role as a grandparent. As we navigate through life, true joy can only be discovered and pursued when we embrace the power of presence. Those of us who spend time with children can resonate with the enchantment of witnessing life through their innocent eyes, experiencing the delight that comes from being fully present in each passing moment.
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
Testimonials
“I loved how genuine, humorous and inspirational all the panelists were and I really thought about how I defined my way of wellness.”
“My daughter and I had so many positive takeaways from the panel of speakers, the mediator, and their discussions. They were all perfectly curated and had such a synergistic effect on each other.”
“Amazing event, beautiful venue and important conversations!”
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
Suggested Reading
Canada 150 Women: Conversations with Leaders, Champions, and Luminaries by Paulina Cameron
Nerve: Lessons on Leadership from Two Women Who Went First by Martha Piper, Indira Samarasekera, The Right Honourable Kim Campbell P.C. (Foreword)
And Just Like That: Using Life Jolts to Create the Next Best Version of Yourself in Leadership and Life by Karen Burrows McKnight
Your Better Instincts: Uncover Your Inner Power to Improve Health, Happiness, and Performance by Stacy Irvine
Resilience: Navigating Life, Loss and the Road to Success by Lisa Lisson
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
The Body Keeps Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom
I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai
The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Sir Ken Robinson
More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say) by Elaine Welteroth
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
Women in Business at Nicola Wealth Management's Women's LEAD event
