Voices of Leadership: Redefining Success and Driving Change

Voices of Leadership: Redefining Success and Driving Change

What does it mean to lead?  This season on Voices of Leadership, we’re stepping into the stories of women who are redefining success and thriving on the edge of change. From trailblazing pioneers to resilient entrepreneurs and unwavering visionaries—meet the iconoclasts who refuse to be bound by convention.  Join us for candid conversations that will ignite your curiosity, provide inspiration for what comes next and remind us all that leadership isn’t just about titles—it’s about making a lasting impact.

  1. Morning News to Morning Blooms: Flower Farming and Entrepreneurship with Lisa Drew

    FEB 12

    Morning News to Morning Blooms: Flower Farming and Entrepreneurship with Lisa Drew

    When the headlines no longer dictate your day, how do you write your next chapter? Today I talk with Lisa Drew. For more than three decades, Lisa’s voice was the one that greeted Waterloo Region every morning, shaping the way thousands of people started their day. She was there when the biggest stories broke, she was there when the world shifted overnight, and she was there to let us know if schools and roads were open or closed on a snowy day.  From her start on 570 CHYM’s news and traffic team to her 16-year partnership with Glenn Pelletier as co-anchor of All News Mornings, Lisa became a trusted voice in the community. And then, she retired or fake retired, as Lisa calls it. Not because she had to…but because she was ready for something new. Lisa Drew, the award-winning journalist, became Lisa Drew, the flower farmer.  She stepped away from radio and into entrepreneurship, turning a lifelong passion for flowers into Cherry Hill Blooms, a thriving floral business. Lisa shares what it’s like to go from the fast-paced world of media to the quiet patience of growing something new. We talk about shifting identities, taking on the challenge of reinvention, and the role of mentorship, especially for women in business. Connect with Lisa: Website LinkedIn Instagram Resources: Cherry Hill Blooms Flour Mill Fresh Idea Collective Cambridge School of Flowers Connect With Us: Voices of Leadership Podcast Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Bespoke Productions Website Bespoke Productions Instagram

    45 min
  2. Rewriting Your Money Story with Wendy Brookhouse

    JAN 29

    Rewriting Your Money Story with Wendy Brookhouse

    Money isn’t just about dollars and cents—it’s the story we tell ourselves about what’s possible. In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Wendy Brookhouse, founder of Black Star Wealth and host of The Real Bottom Line podcast, to uncover the emotional and subconscious influences money has on our lives. Wendy shares her unique approach to financial clarity, wealth-building, and living life on your terms. From her early lessons in the blueberry fields of Nova Scotia to her insights on financial empowerment, Wendy’s perspective on money will challenge you to rethink how you view, manage, and maximize your wealth. She reveals why the stories we tell ourselves about money aren’t set in stone—and how rewriting them can change your life. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The surprising ways money influences our decisions without us realizing it.Wendy’s journey from earning 10 cents in a Nova Scotia blueberry field to helping others achieve financial freedom.Why Wendy believes retirement is really “life after work” and how to determine the finances you need to live that life to the fullest.The story behind her podcast The Real Bottom Line An introduction to Wendy’s eight pivotal drivers of business success Resources: Black Star Wealth Wendy's Podcast: The Real Bottom Line Instagram LinkedIn Connect With Us: Voices of Leadership Podcast Instagram LinkedIn Bespoke Productions Website Bespoke Productions Instagram

    41 min
  3. JAN 15

    Code Like a Girl: Dinah Davis on Redefining Retirement, Math, Mentorship and Women in STEM

    Dinah Davis is no stranger to firsts. She’s built her career—and her life—on a series of them. As a mathematician and cryptographer, she stood out as one of the few women in a field dominated by men. She was the first to code Bluetooth technology. She holds a variety of patents, which means she was the first to create something and she’s even experienced her first retirement. Highlights from this episode: Dinah discusses her early experiences in a male-heavy tech environmentDinah reflects on the fleeting years we have with our teenagers before they head off into the world. She’ll take the garbage time—the car rides, the mundane errands—because those moments often hold the most meaning. Insights into the patent process  Reflections on burnout and the concept of “first retirement”  Code Like a Girl’s evolution and its impact on women in STEM  The role of AI in cybersecurity and its ethical implications  Emphasizing the importance of mentorship and women supporting each other Resources Code Like A Girl Website Code Like A Girl Instagram Dinah’s Instagram Dinah on LinkedIn What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you! Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. When you do this, it helps to raise our podcast profile so more leaders can find us and be inspired by the stories our Voices of Leadership have to share. Connect with us: Voices of Leadership Website Instagram Bespoke Productions Hub

    46 min
  4. JAN 8

    The Art of Science with Ibukun Elebute: Nanotechnology, Pap Smears, and Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators

    What happens when we blur the boundaries between art and science? What might that look like? Perhaps you could give students in Nigeria the opportunity to put their innovations on display through science fairs, or maybe it’s finding groundbreaking ways to screen for cancer and HPV—without needing a pap smear. The speculum, a tool most women dread, has remained virtually unchanged for nearly a century. It’s a device that feels more like a relic than a modern solution. And yet, it’s still accepted practice in women’s health today. That is, until now No speculum. No pap smear. Instead, IBK’s work with CELLECT is unlocking the immense potential of menstrual blood and using nanoscience to do it. CELLECT isn’t the only place IBK is blending arts and science. She’s using science fairs as a tool for sparking genuine curiosity and fostering innovation. Through the STEMite Zone, IBK is not just reimagining the science fair. She’s transforming it into a launchpad for the next generation of African innovators. Resources CELLECT Website CELLECT LinkedIn STEMite Zone Website STEMite Zone Instagram IBK Instagram IBK on Spotify What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you! Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. When you do this, it helps to raise our podcast profile so more leaders can find us and be inspired by the stories our Voices of Leadership have to share. Connect with us: Voices of Leadership Website Instagram Bespoke Productions Hub

    43 min
  5. 2024-12-11

    Beyond the Canvas: A Conversation with Patricia Gagic

    In this inspiring episode, we embark on a beautiful spiritual journey with the extraordinary Patricia Gagic. Patricia is a renowned contemporary artist celebrated for her beautiful work and contributions to the art world.  But her story extends far beyond the canvas. She's a passionate drummer, humanitarian, author, and Certified Meditation Specialist who has dedicated her life to inspiring others and making a difference. What to Expect:  Patricia shares the pivotal moments that shaped her journey—from her childhood and banking career to her mentorship with a celebrated artist in Provence. She reveals how these experiences intertwined to foster her creativity, resilience, and unique path. Discover her lifelong passion for music, from playing the clarinet to exploring percussion, and how embracing vulnerability fueled her artistic growth.  Patricia also delves into her leadership philosophy, offering profound insights into mindfulness, compassion, and purposeful living. Patricia's reflections will inspire you to find and follow your true voice while living with intention and purpose. Connect with Patricia Website Instagram LinkedIn What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you! Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. When you do this, it helps to raise our podcast profile so more leaders can find us and be inspired by the stories our Voices of Leadership have to share. Connect with us: Voices of Leadership Website Instagram Bespoke Productions Hub

    44 min
  6. 2024-10-30

    The Power of Vision and Action: Sadiqa Reynolds on Civil Rights, Leadership, Mental Health, and Community Transformation

    Today, we are joined by Sadiqa Reynolds, a remarkable civil rights leader, attorney, and former judge who has dedicated her career to championing mental health and advocating for access for all. As a pioneer in various leadership roles, she has consistently broken barriers, becoming the first woman to hold significant positions throughout her career. Our conversation explores her experiences of being first and how those moments have influenced her approach to leadership and advocacy. Her tenure at the Louisville Urban League is a testament to her dedication, having expanded the organization's reach and impact through strategic leadership. Transforming a contaminated site into a $53 million sports and learning center, she demonstrates a commitment to community transformation. Highlighting the work of the Perception Institute, Sadiqa emphasizes changing narratives around race and inclusion, aspiring to a world where everyone belongs. Through candid reflections on the solidarity among women leaders and drawing inspiration from figures like Maya Angelou, Sadiqa urges future generations to pursue work that fuels their passion and commitment to justice. Resources: Louisville Urban League Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center Perception Institute What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you! Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. When you do this, it helps to raise our podcast profile so more leaders can find us and be inspired by the stories our Voices of Leadership have to share. Connect with us: Voices of Leadership Website Instagram Bespoke Productions Hub

    43 min
  7. 2024-10-16

    AskEllyn: Breast Cancer, Advocacy, Innovation and Conversational Health Care with Ellyn Winters-Robinson

    On today's episode, you'll hear a story of resilience, transformation, and groundbreaking change in women's health. Our guest, Ellyn Winters-Robinson, is a breast cancer survivor, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and an advocate for women's health. Before the book and advocacy, she was a woman diagnosed with breast cancer. Who felt alone and angry. Ellyn took her anger and turned it into advocacy. Then, she took her advocacy and turned it into action. Ellyn's book, Flat Please, Hold The Shame, is a girlfriend's companion guide for those on the breast cancer journey. It offers candid stories, comfort, humour, and hard-earned wisdom. Ellyn's advocacy continues beyond the written word. She also co-created AskEllyn.ai, the world's first conversational AI tool designed specifically to support people on their breast cancer journey. This groundbreaking digital companion brings empathy and support to patients and their families, revolutionizing the way support is offered during a challenging time. Join us for an inspiring conversation as Ellyn shares her story, her work, and her vision for a world where no one faces breast cancer alone. Resources Ellyn's Website Visit AskEllyn Read Flat Please, Hold the Shame Connect with Ellyn on Instagram What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you! Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. When you do this, it helps to raise our podcast profile so more leaders can find us and be inspired by the stories our Voices of Leadership have to share. Connect with us: Voices of Leadership Website Instagram Bespoke Productions Hub

    43 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

What does it mean to lead?  This season on Voices of Leadership, we’re stepping into the stories of women who are redefining success and thriving on the edge of change. From trailblazing pioneers to resilient entrepreneurs and unwavering visionaries—meet the iconoclasts who refuse to be bound by convention.  Join us for candid conversations that will ignite your curiosity, provide inspiration for what comes next and remind us all that leadership isn’t just about titles—it’s about making a lasting impact.

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