Denise Amyot

What achievement or contribution are you most proud of?

See members of the different teams I have led grow and become leaders themselves inspiring other leaders.

What’s one thing you can attribute to your success?

I am a builder who is not afraid of challenges; I transform the environments in which I work and think outside of the box through organizational transformations, breaking glass ceilings and acting inclusively.

What is the most surprising fact about you?

My diversified background: I studied not one discipline but three: biology, education and humanities, I speak three languages, I lived in several provinces and one territory, I have worked in many fields whether social, cultural, scientific or economic from official languages, natural resources, multiculturalism, human resources, labour market, Indigenous Affairs, public affairs and education.

Who is your inspiration?

My parents who did not have a chance to study past elementary school, but they made sure their three children would attend universities and studied as long as they wanted. Each of us ended by having at least a degree and a master.

How do you celebrate your success?

Good question. I really did not know how to answer this one. I guess I congratulate those that made it happened. I do not think that success is only one person but a team.

What would be a good theme song for your life?

Imagine….. because I always try to imagine what else, what if , I rarely stay in the status quo…..

What advice would you give to other women who are starting out in their career journey?

Network, get a mentor, get a coach and keep doing exercise.

What is the one thing you knew before you started your career?

I would do something I like and be passionate about and be a leader in my field, no matter which field.

How do you find balance?

Do exercise and a long walk every day. In the Summer I sail on Lake Ontario and in the winter I do ski skating (skate skiing).

What are you most afraid of?

Be irrelevant….I like to feel useful.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

I like to read and discover new places so I love traveling in places I have never seen. I am very curious and adventurous.

Which Superhero would you be?

The one that can travel by teleportation. It would be magical….and so useful….

What has been the biggest learning experience of your life?

All the different jobs I had in various fields; I learned a lot. Coaching has been a big learning journey for me.

Liza Mrak

What achievement or contribution are you most proud of?

First, my contribution to the business that my parents started over 60years ago. I think they would be proud that the youngest and only girl in the family has made some noise, ruffled some feathers and made an impact. Second, I am proud to be in the community helping the community. It was something my parents taught us at a young age. I am happy that I can give back to the city in a way that helps to lift others up and overall, make the community a stronger and better place to be.

What’s one thing you can attribute to your success?

I do not think there is one thing but more like three: Resilience, a good attitude and EQ

What is the most surprising fact about you?

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology. I know, right?! I wanted to be a doctor. Could you imagine.

Who is your inspiration?

My Mom. She sits on my shoulder reminding me of three very simple rules. If you do not go for it, you will never have it. If you never ask for it, the answer is always no. If you do not take a leap forward, you will always stand still.

How do you celebrate your success?

Thank those who were with me on the journey to get there and then a glass of bubbly!

What would be a good theme song for your life?

I think they are still writing it out….but Cold Play is probably going to sing it.

What advice would you give to other women who are starting out in their career journey?

You need to be your own cheerleader, surround yourself with great people, follow your instincts and never give up

What is the one thing you wish you knew before you started your career?

Falling is not a bad thing. You will make mistakes and that is okay as they make you stronger. You just need to get up and dust off.

How do you find balance?

My balance comes in ebbs and flows. I need to work harder at making it more consistent.

What are you most afraid of?

Failure. The lasting impacts of failing someone or something scares me.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

Chilling out. If I can do that at the cottage, even better and if my partner, family and/or friends can join me, that is the best!

Which Superhero would you be?

A Batwoman, Wonder Woman, Enzo kinda superhero….Enzo is a superhero in my world.

What has been the biggest learning experience of your life?

Do not hesitate. If you do, you may miss your moment….like that time with Patrick Dempsey

What achievement or contribution are you most proud of?

The achievement I am most proud of is having my son. I had a difficult pregnancy and a difficult delivery; recovering from that time reminds me that anyone can overcome any adversity you have in life with time and patience.
And now, watching my son grow is the greatest gift. He reminds me every day to keep learning and striving, and if I fall, get back up and try again!

What’s one thing you can attribute to your success?

One thing I can attribute to my success is the foundation taught to me by my mother. Even to this day, she always encourages me to go for my dreams and never give up.
She instilled in me that nothing is impossible and there are no limits to what I can achieve. With hard work, dedication and perseverance, I can achieve almost anything.

What is the most surprising fact about you?

The most surprising fact about me is that I never went to fashion or business school. I started my career as a professional performing artist right out of high school.
I attribute my entrepreneurial skills to my years spent dancing On Broadway, in films, television and movies. Dancing taught me precision, how to digest disappointments and grow thick skin. I learnt to be adaptable and pivot, all the necessary traits to run a successful business.

Who is your inspiration?

I do not have one particular person that inspires me. Inspiration to me can come in all forms. Right now, love inspires my soul. I want to make women feel loved and encourage them to fall in love with themselves and feel incredible in their skin. Love inspires me to design clothing that can make them feel that way.

How do you celebrate your success?

I celebrate my successes often, even small wins, by mostly just acknowledging how far I’ve come. A small celebration is a glass of wine and a snuggle on the couch with my husband and son! But, a big celebration, travel! I love to travel! I can’t wait to travel again!

What would be a good theme song for your life?

I am of Caribbean descent; there is a soca song called Brave! That’s my jam! Lol! Being brave and having courage in the unknown is half the battle! So when I hear the song Brave it gives me the power to do the impossible.

What advice would you give to other women who are starting out in their career journey?

My advice to other women would be to know it’s not going to be easy. You have to want it as much as you want to breathe and at the same time know everything you need is within you. If you can envision it, you can achieve it.

What is the one thing you knew before you started your career?

One thing I wish I knew was the compound effect. I am naturally an all-or-nothing person, but in business, the compound effect is necessary. If you lay one brick at a time slowly and steadily over time, you will see the empire you built!

How do you find balance?

I find balance by trying not to balance. It’s not for everyone, but this is where my all-or-nothing personality truly works! Whatever I am working on whether, my business, my family, fitness etc., I strive to give 100% of my attention, not 50%. So, for example, instead of trying to play with my son and get work done at the same time. I strive to dedicate time to give 100% attention to each individually.

What are you most afraid of?

I’m most afraid of losing the ones I love. I am a lover; I call myself love, I love deeply. So the thought of losing the ones I love is terrifying.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

Living life and having fun! I am a huge advocate for living while I’m alive! Doing something memorable like travelling, partying, playing, exploring, anything to experience life... I’m in!!

Which Superhero would you be?

Catwoman! Mainly because I love her outfit! Lol!

What has been the biggest learning experience of your life?

I gained many significant learning experiences throughout my life, but there are 2 that I find very important. One is to learn to trust and love the process. Through every obstacle and struggle, there is always a lesson. We have to be patient, open and observant enough to listen and learn.
The second is to go there! As a fashion designer, founder and CEO of Stacey Martin Lifestyle Inc., people often ask me, "How did you get to where you are today?" My answer is I had to go there. If you want to do something great, you have to put in 110% and go there. You can’t go halfway, you can’t dip your toes in, you need to go there wholeheartedly, entirely. I learnt this through experience and made it the tagline and mantra for my company

Go there.

To that place you’ve always wanted to go,

To that place that only you know.

Go there.

Remember where you wore me.

Karen Sparks

What achievement or contribution are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of my 4 kids of course, but professionally I’m proud creating the Wesley Clover Foundation.

What’s one thing you can attribute to your success?

I think persistence is key. I’m not good at giving up!

What is the most surprising fact about you?

That’s a hard one. I absolutely cannot do a cartwheel. It’s sad but true!

Who is your inspiration?

I have been so lucky to have great people to learn from in my life and career. My father and Ian Millar come to mind first, they have taught me so much, but I can’t forget my mom. She’s so down to earth and keeps me grounded.

How do you celebrate your success?

Wine!

What would be a good theme song for your life?

Life is a highway by Tom Cochrane

What advice would you give to other women who are starting out in their career journey?

Very cliche but true - believe in yourself and keep at it!

What is the one thing you knew before you started your career?

That it’s not always going to easy or work out, but if you’re learning you’re on the right path.

How do you find balance?

Remembering what’s truly important everyday!

What are you most afraid of?

Zombie apocalypse obviously.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

Fun times with family and friends. Hiking, kayaking, watching a movie - doesn’t really matter!

Which Superhero would you be?

Wonder Woman but I’ll leave that to Gal Gadot and stick with supermom!

What has been the biggest learning experience of your life?

I learned a lot, and continue to learn, from my sport of show jumping. You learn from the horses; You can’t rush the process, you can’t skip steps, keeping your cool, and you just have to get back on if you fall!

Natalie McGuire

What achievement or contribution are you most proud of?

Taking a huge leap of faith with no looking back. The decision to leave a secure job to create my dream job did not come easy. Many people told me I would be foolish to ever leave the “golden handcuffs” with a stable career path. Luckily, I had the support from family and friends, and faith within to make a plan to leave a full-time job, take out a loan to pay myself a salary for six months, and gave myself a deadline to make it, or start over.

Extremely proud to have had the courage to take the leap of faith (with a plan) and be able to service over 100 clients a year, helping great people make smart home purchases and achieve top dollar sale prices on their listings.

What’s one thing you can attribute to your success?

Hard work - The dedication, determination, sacrifices and being consistent are the reasons why hard work is the reason for success. I would have to add trust as another huge attribute for having clients believe in our intentions while dealing with client’s largest investments.

What is the most surprising fact about you?

I was born in a car on the way to the hospital!

Who is your inspiration?

My 96-year-old Nonna because she was still working into her 90s. She would invest in herself to pay a taxi to pick up and drop her off each day for her to get to work. Age did not define or stop her.

How do you celebrate your success?

Gathering with family and friends to celebrate little and big moments. We love to entertain and host as a way to enjoy the spread the joy and successes.

What would be a good theme song for your life?

Andra Day - Rise Up

What advice would you give to other women who are starting out in their career journey?

Make a plan and go for it. There are going to be ups and downs. Continue to learn, experience and have courage to improve and believe in yourself.

What is the one thing you knew before you started your career?

I am 100% a people person, able to find the good in people and enjoy learning more about them. I would also find myself as a young child loving home design magazines and being thrilled to tour friend’s houses.

How do you find balance?

Biggest priority I make is to show up for friends and family – I reserve the time like it is a “meeting in my calendar” and make it a priority to pop into their gatherings, coffee dates, dinners out, take that phone call, and be present as often as I can.

What are you most afraid of?

Disappointing clients – the thought of this makes me feel ill. Expectations of myself are to go above and beyond each and every time.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

Eat! I love to eat. I also enjoy relaxing with my husband and cat watching our favourite shows. Travel is another favourite.

Which Superhero would you be?

Batwoman – because I love black leggings (I wear them most days), and I would switch the “B” for an “N” = Natwoman.

What has been the biggest learning experience of your life?

“This too shall pass”. Good or bad, moments do not last forever. Make them count, and when it is bad, know it will not last. You have a choice to create the life and attitude you want.

Louise Lawrence

What achievement or contribution are you most proud of?

Every time I can help someone realize an ah-ha moment of any kind that acts as a catalyst to them moving towards a more successful position in their business or personal goals, it’s incredibly gratifying! That and finally getting my second Porsche after 21 Porscheless years in between.

What’s one thing you can attribute to your success?

Not shying away from the truth. This applies to situations, projects, and personal development. Seeing things as they truly are from a viewpoint of fact-based neutrality really allows the gap between what you want and what the current situation is to be bridged, accommodated, or rejected/reworked more smoothly.

What is the most surprising fact about you?

I can eat my weight in MacDonald’s fries! (Maybe not exactly, but I’ll bet pretty close!)

Who is your inspiration?

Karl Lagerfeld. His work ethic, visionary talent, taste, fearlessness, path to self-actualization, career longevity, and contribution to the fashion world was tremendous.

How do you celebrate your success?

I buy myself a little gift that delights me. I used to never celebrate my successes, merely moving onto the next project, but that really doesn’t help savor the moment.

What would be a good theme song for your life?

Roam by the B52s. Until I recently realized that it wasn’t actually about travel!

What advice would you give to other women who are starting out in their career journey?

Cultivate a strong work ethic. Bring fresh ideas to meetings. Don’t be afraid to fail: everything is just a pilot project until you find the best solution to the challenge or situation. And become savvy with office politics, even if you hate them. They are critical to your advancement.

What is the one thing you knew before you started your career?

I knew that my superpowers were talking to people and describing things. I just didn’t know that I could make a career out of them in the corporate world!

How do you find balance?

I go on a long drive and I think. Mulling things over behind the wheel with some good tunes playing does wonders for the soul! (The correct answer is exercise though, isn’t it?)

What are you most afraid of?

Emotional pain. And tent caterpillars.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

I love going for drives, and do so as often as possible. I don’t need a destination, I just need a road. And in that vein, travel tops my list of favorite things as well.

Which Superhero would you be?

Storm. She rocks that silver hair!

What has been the biggest learning experience of your life?

Realizing the power of the word “no”. That being overly agreeable and accommodating will get you walked over, whereas setting boundaries will get you respected.

Megan Paterson

What achievement or contribution are you most proud of?

While I’m very proud of my career and meeting the career goals I set for myself, I am most proud of the work I’ve done at a local shelter, Interval House. It’s a shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence and it’s a cause close to my heart. In my time there we have more than doubled annual fundraising, opened up a pet housing area within the shelter, and bought a second shelter space. This definitely wasn’t all me- it was a big team effort, but it’s what I am most proud of.

What’s one thing you can attribute to your success?

I’ve never been afraid to say no- even when I wasn’t actually sure I was up to the job. If you are resourceful, work hard, and reasonably smart I’ve learned you can figure out just about anything.

What is the most surprising fact about you?

I think people are very surprised that I have survived some pretty incredible things. As a teenager I was hit by a car (I was walking on a sidewalk) and ended up in a wheelchair. In my late twenties, I survived being shot in the head at close range. These things have not defined me, but have definitely made me stronger and helped me set my course in life.

Who is your inspiration?

My inspiration was my Gram- no longer with us but she was an absolute force. She went to university when “girls didn’t do that”, she had several career s and worked until her very last day, she was smart and she didn’t suffer fools. Strong, and independent- she was the person in my family I most wanted to be like. She was also known to be bossy- a trait I may have inherited

How do you celebrate your success?

I love celebrating with a few drinks and some great friends – success is meant to shared!

What would be a good theme song for your life?

Survivor, by Destiny’s Child.

What advice would you give to other women who are starting out in their career journey?

I would tell them to apply for jobs they aren’t sure they can do, try out for teams they know nothing about, and don’t wait to be asked. And find a mentor- they are invaluable.

What is the one thing you knew before you started your career?

I knew that I would work hard enough to escape being poor, and I would do everything in my power to be financially independent and feel “safe”.

How do you find balance?

I am not sure I have mastered this, to be honest. I work a lot, but absolutely love what I do- so it doesn’t really seem like work. I would rather work a few hours on the weekend than start Monday being super behind- that’s balance for me, and it works.

What are you most afraid of?

Bats. I think about bats every day, and know I would jump out of a moving car if there was a bat inside it.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

I love playing tennis, I love reading, and I love driving my 911 and going to car meets. I have met some of the nicest, coolest people at these meets and it’s kind of awesome being one of the only “girl drivers”

Which Superhero would you be?

I don’t know which one I would be but I most certainly could not be Bat Girl.

What has been the biggest learning experience of your life?

I think the biggest learning experience for me has been this- where you came from does not have to define you, if you don’t want it to. Take what you know, and then explore and learn. Surround yourself with people who know different things than you do, who have had different experiences. This has helped me figure out what I love, what I want, and helped me figure out how to get there.