Network = Networth

Dalene Allen

Join the "Network = Networth" podcast as The Networking Queen, Dalene Allen, interviews successful business professionals who share their stories of how chance encounters have led to meaningful relationships. Our aim is to highlight the importance of building connections and expanding your network, not only for business growth but also for personal fulfillment.  During each episode, our guests will discuss their background, what drew them to their careers, and the pivotal moments and connections that have shaped their success. We ask our guests to share their top tips for networking and building strong relationships to close each episode. Tune in to gain insights and inspiration for taking your own career and personal life to the next level!

  1. JAN 26

    How Food, Science, and Community Shape Our Health with Linda Best

    From farm fields to boardrooms, labs to local businesses, Linda Best’s career is a powerful example of how curiosity, leadership, and community impact can intersect. Raised on an Annapolis Valley farm, Linda holds a BSc from Acadia University and built a distinguished career as a Medical Microbiologist and Gastroenterology Researcher, later serving as Director at the Capital District Health Authority. Beyond healthcare, Linda’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to operate an apple orchard and found Frame Plus Art, growing it into a successful three-store business. Her firsthand understanding of food systems and health sparked a deep commitment to agriculture and community well-being. She helped establish Friends of Agriculture and co-founded FarmWorks Investment Co-operative Limited, a pioneering Community Economic Development Investment Fund supporting local farms and food producers. Linda’s lifelong contributions have been recognized with some of Nova Scotia’s highest honours, including the Order of Nova Scotia, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, and the King Charles Coronation Medal. In this episode, Linda shares insights from a life spent bridging science, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and public service, and what it truly means to invest in healthy communities from the ground up. You can find out more about Linda and FarmWorks here! Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or Connect on Linkedin

    49 min
  2. JAN 12

    Get Off The Bench! Courage, Action, and Creating Change with Kerryn Vaughan

    In this episode, we are joined by Kerryn Vaughan, an international speaker, author, facilitator, and podcast host who is known for inspiring people to step up, take action, and create meaningful change. Kerryn is the author of the award-winning book Magnificent Kids!, which became the catalyst for founding One Planet Classrooms, a global organisation supporting schools and communities in Africa through initiatives such as clean water solutions and student sponsorship programs. Her passion for impact and education has shaped a career focused on courage, leadership, and possibility. In 2018, Kerryn launched Girls With Hammers, a platform hosting conferences and workshops designed to empower and connect women. The following year, she released her second book, Get Off The Bench!, encouraging people to stop waiting and start bringing their ideas to life. That message led to the launch of the Get Off The Bench! Podcast in 2020, born from perseverance after multiple false starts and moments of doubt. Kerryn has delivered keynotes and workshops across Australia and internationally, tackling topics such as courage, embracing failure, standing in your truth, and creating a better world. Her workshops focus on building confidence, strengthening relationships, and helping people explore what is possible when they take the leap. This conversation is fast-paced, honest, and unapologetically real. Kerryn brings her signature kick-ass energy and refreshing perspective, making this episode a powerful reminder that the only thing standing between you and your next step might be your willingness to get off the bench. You can find out more about Kerryn here! Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or Connect on Linkedin

    46 min
  3. JAN 5

    Disrupting the Status Quo: People, Purpose, and Culture with Audra McCreesh

    In this episode, we sit down with Audra McCreesh, Founder and Lead Consultant of HR & IDEA Hub and the force behind DisruptHR Halifax, the high-energy event series reshaping how Atlantic Canada talks about people, purpose, and workplace culture. Audra is a strategist, connector, and change-maker who works at the intersection of human resources, business development, and inclusion. From designing tailored workforce and HR programs, to supporting emerging tech SMEs tied to Canada’s defence sector and Industrial and Technological Benefits obligations, to advising leaders on how to embed Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility into culture in ways that are meaningful and measurable, her work is both broad and deeply human. Known for bringing unlikely partners together, Audra has a unique ability to bridge corporate, government, community, and entrepreneurial worlds and turn shared intent into real collaboration. In this conversation, we explore what it takes to move beyond surface-level commitments, how organizations can create workplaces where people and ideas truly belong, and why curiosity, courage, and connection matter more than ever in today’s world of work. Playful yet precise and empathetic yet driven, Audra shares insights, stories, and practical perspectives that will challenge how you think about leadership, culture, and impact. If you care about building better workplaces and partnerships that actually work, this episode is for you. You can learn more about Audra here. Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or Connect on Linkedin

    38 min
  4. 2025-12-29

    People Strategy: Building Purpose Driven Teams with Rebecca Coleman

    In this episode, we are joined by Rebecca Coleman, Founder of Oak Bay HR Inc., a Halifax based HR consulting firm supporting growing, purpose driven organizations across Canada. Rebecca brings more than 15 years of experience in talent acquisition, HR advisory, and organizational culture, with a focus on helping mission aligned companies build strong, inclusive teams. Rebecca shares her perspective on purpose driven recruitment, leadership hiring, and people strategy, particularly within clean energy, sustainability, ocean tech, healthcare, and advanced industries. Known for her relationship focused approach and deep regional insight, she discusses what it really takes to put the right people in the right roles while scaling with clarity and confidence. We also explore her commitment to elevating women in leadership, her background working with organizations like CGI and Coca Cola, and how her training in change management and adult education shapes her work with leaders and teams. As a Certified Diversity Supplier through WBE Canada and an active community leader, Rebecca brings a thoughtful, practical lens to building workplaces that thrive. This conversation is a must listen for founders, leaders, and organizations looking to grow intentionally through strong leadership and people first strategies. Find out more about Rebecca and Oak Bay here! Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or Connect on Linkedin

    38 min
  5. 2025-12-22

    Building a Business That Fits Your Life: Family, Balance, and Business with Jennifer Gillard

    In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Gillard, founder of BizEBee Marketing and Support Services, to talk about building a business rooted in creativity, connection, and balance. With a BBA in Marketing and Management from Mount Saint Vincent University, Jennifer brings a strong foundation in event management, content marketing, and communications to everything she does. Jennifer shares how completing her yoga teacher training in 2016 became a turning point in her career. Through that experience, she saw firsthand how many small business owners were feeling overwhelmed and stretched thin. That insight inspired her to launch BizEBee in 2017, with a clear mission to help entrepreneurs reclaim their time by taking marketing and administrative tasks off their plates. We explore what it looks like to support business owners behind the scenes, the importance of systems and support, and how aligning work with personal values can lead to more sustainable growth. Jennifer also reflects on how family life, time in nature, yoga, and a strong love of coffee help keep her grounded and inspired as an entrepreneur. This conversation is a thoughtful look at building a service based business that prioritizes both impact and well being, and a reminder that success does not have to come at the cost of balance. You can learn more about Jennifer and BizEBee here. Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or Connect on Linkedin

    40 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Join the "Network = Networth" podcast as The Networking Queen, Dalene Allen, interviews successful business professionals who share their stories of how chance encounters have led to meaningful relationships. Our aim is to highlight the importance of building connections and expanding your network, not only for business growth but also for personal fulfillment.  During each episode, our guests will discuss their background, what drew them to their careers, and the pivotal moments and connections that have shaped their success. We ask our guests to share their top tips for networking and building strong relationships to close each episode. Tune in to gain insights and inspiration for taking your own career and personal life to the next level!