YWAIT | Women Advancing Ideas Together

Kailey Armstrong

Welcome to YWAIT, the podcast where inspiring ideas meet real action. Hosted by Kailey and powered by YW Calgary, each episode features trailblazers and change-makers sparking conversations on entrepreneurship, financial wellness, leadership, and personal growth. Why wait? Join us and be part of the conversation.

Episodes

  1. 09/16/2025

    Franchising IS Entrepreneurship with Alla Brisky

    Host Kailey Armstrong has a conversation with guest Alla Brisky, the Regional Manager for Women in Enterprise at TD Bank, about franchising and how franchises are wonderful opportunities for entrepreneurship. Alla and her partner own a franchise in addition to her work at TD Bank. She breaks down why franchises are worth considering, how to finance a franchise, and the systemic barriers women in entrepreneurship face. Kailey and Alla examine the innate resilience of women and how they do not generally just take no for an answer, which makes women ideal entrepreneurs. One of the defining moments for Alla, in achieving her franchise dream, was realizing that business banks have CSBFL programs, or Canada Small Business Financing Loans. These programs make business ownership accessible for a lot more Canadians. Franchises are worth considering because they come with built-in guidance and do not need to be thought up from scratch. Alla and Kailey discuss why entrepreneurs should follow their passions when choosing a business, the importance of separating personal from business finances, and not being afraid to sit down with a banker for advice on business options. Alla’s experience in banks, women entrepreneurship, and having her own franchise sheds practical light on how possible it is to achieve success in business with the right financing and a franchise that aligns with personal values. About Alla Brisky: Alla Brisky has spent over a decade with TD, building expertise in personal and business banking, and people leadership. She now serves as Regional Manager, Women in Enterprise with TD Business Banking, where she is passionate about helping women entrepreneurs access the capital, knowledge, and resources they need to start, grow, and scale their businesses. Beyond her role at TD, Alla is also an entrepreneur, co-franchising a Pet Valu location with her spouse, where she brings her love for community and business growth to life. — Contact Kailey Armstrong | YW Calgary:  WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInEmail: communications@ywcalgary.caContact Alla Brisky | Regional Manager, Women in Enterprise, TD Bank:  TD WebsiteLinkedIn

    28 min

  2. 09/09/2025

    Communication in Leadership with CEO Sue Tomney

    Host Kailey Armstrong welcomes the CEO of YW Calgary, Sue Tomney, to the show to reflect on her leadership journey and the pivotal moments that shaped her career. Sue talks about courage in leadership, saying ‘yes’ to new opportunities even when self-doubt rises up, and acknowledges the mentors and colleagues who saw her potential. Kailey and Sue uplift women, discussing the unique strengths women bring to leadership and how supporting each other creates communities of encouragement.  Sue explains how part of good leadership is empathy and understanding how decisions impact not just the person we’re communicating with but potentially their colleagues, friends, and family. She points out that leaders should preserve their authentic selves while also adapting their tone depending on the audience to ensure the message is received well. As Sue looks back on her fifteen years of being a CEO, she stresses the value of surrounding ourselves with friends who challenge our thinking and urges everyone to continually seek new challenges and embrace courage. The conversation is a beautiful glimpse into powerful leadership and empathetic communication.   About Sue Tomney: As Chief Executive Officer of YW Calgary, Sue Tomney is responsible for the strategic leadership of more than 300 diverse team members who offer shelter, housing, counselling, language and empowerment programs to some of the most vulnerable women and families in Calgary. In recent years, Sue led transformative work at YW through the development of a new vision, mission and organizational values. In addition, her leadership ensured the completion of three new trauma-informed, state-of-the-art facilities – on time, on budget and with no debt.    Sue has held senior-level positions with both non-profits and corporations prior to joining YW in December 2010: VP, Marketing and Communications for Imagine Canada; Director of Communications and External Affairs at TransAlta Corporation; and Manager, Public Relations & Community Investment for Canadian Airlines International.  Recently, Sue was selected as a 2025 Calgary Influential Women in Business (CIWB) Social Enterprise Award winner. Additionally, Sue was honoured to be named the 2025-2027 Jarislowsky Co-Fellow in Business Management with the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. Sue also serves as the Alberta representative on the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference Alumni committee.  In 2022, Sue received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Women in 2020. Previously, Sue was the Chair of the Governance Committee for Calgary Housing Company, past-chair of CanadaHelps.org and participated in the Government of Alberta’s 2021 Childcare Advisory Group.  Sue loves spending time with her three (adult) kids Aedan, Liam and Abby and hiking with her beloved Golden Retrievers Rooney and Teddy.  — Contact Kailey Armstrong | YW Calgary:  WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInEmail: communications@ywcalgary.caContact Sue Tomney | YW Calgary, CEO:  Website: YWCalgary.caLinkedIn: Sue Tomney

    24 min

  3. 09/02/2025

    Centered in Community – Staying Grounded While Growing Boldly

    Host Kailey Armstrong welcomes Tazeem Weljie, a consultant and advisor, and, as Kailey describes her, a “connector superstar”, to the show to talk about connections, community, and building a life with intention. When Tazeem was nineteen, she left her hometown of Calgary for nineteen years. Upon her return, she set an intention to have 100 cups of coffee to learn about Calgary, and through that, she built an entire community and business of connections. She shares advice on how to reach outside comfort zones and grow with Kailey. One of the things Tazeem learned through her 100 coffees was how a community is built with a tapestry of connections, how each person brings something new to the table. The coffees also helped her determine the path she would take with her entrepreneurial career. Kailey and Tazeem talk about how 100% of a skill is not needed to get in the door with something we want, just enough to help us learn and grow. They discuss the value of collaboration over competition, of seeing the people we meet as connected and not something to overcome. Tazeem shares advice on how to start making connections if we’re new to a city, stories on the reward that can come by taking a leap of faith, and having the courage to speak up about what we want and identify it out loud.  About Tazeem Weljie: With over 15 years of experience in strategy and business operations, Taz brings a unique blend of knowledge, expertise, and a heart-centered approach to the world of growth and transformation. With a passion for creating order out of chaos, she works with organizations and individuals to create meaningful change.  Taz is more than a consultant; she's a partner, an authentic voice, and a trusted advisor. She not only understands the external needs of organizations, but also kicks up the dirt to uncover the root causes of challenges within organizations and individuals.  Grounded in the desire to leave the world better than she found it, and a strong believer in the power of community, Taz is an avid volunteer, sits on nonprofit boards, and donates her time and knowledge to causes close to her. She values the importance of family and friends and enjoys exploring the world through travel. She finds balance and peace through yoga, running, and staying active. She’s a foodie and always up for a good cup of tea! — Contact Kailey Armstrong | YW Calgary:  WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInEmail: communications@ywcalgary.caContact Tazeem Weljie | Tazeem Weljie & Associates:  Website: TazeemWeljie.comLinkedIn: TazeemWeljie

    28 min

  4. 08/26/2025

    From Careers to Finances: Everyday Advocacy in Action

    Host Kailey Armstrong talks all about advocacy, specifically skills advocacy, with Andrea Cox, manager of Government Relations at YW Calgary. How do we stand up for ourselves and use our voices effectively? Andrea defines advocacy in this context as “helping people find their voice,” which can translate into women finding how to convey what they need from any audience member. Andrea has a wealth of experience in this area, and she shares key pieces of advice and guidance from her own journey and what she’s observed along the way.  One of the ways in which women are faced with everyday advocacy is in salary negotiation or work benefits discussions. In negotiating, we all have priorities, and one of the things Andrea points to is learning to decide what lands in the Venn diagram of our interests and organizational interests. Andrea and Kailey discuss the language that has the most impact in advocacy, the power of narrowing down our messaging into a one-minute pitch, and having a solution prepared in advance so the audience member has something to say yes to. Andrea shares personal success stories, highlights how we can use our voices to advocate for others, and explains the need for us to believe in our own messaging to avoid sowing doubt in our audience's minds.  About Andrea Cox: Andrea Cox is responsible for furthering cooperative and collaborative relationships between YW Calgary and government partners at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. She represents YW Calgary’s interests when working on joint advocacy with other non-profit organizations with aligned goals.  Andrea has over 8 years of advocacy, policy, and government relations experience, having worked in progressively senior roles within the Government of Alberta focused on intergovernmental and international relations. Prior to working with YW Calgary, Andrea was Manager of Federal and State Relations in the Government of Alberta’s office in Washington, DC, where she built extensive networks with government, private and non-profit stakeholders to advance Alberta’s trade interests with the United States.  Andrea holds a Master of Global Affairs from the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University, majoring in Political Science. Andrea is passionate about utilizing her skill set to advocate for policies and projects that further gender equity. — Contact Kailey Armstrong | YW Calgary:  WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInEmail: communications@ywcalgary.caContact Andrea Cox | YW Calgary:  Website: ywcalgary.caLinkedIn: Andrea-Cox-4a1b0358

    29 min

  5. 08/19/2025

    Transitioning into Tech with Naomi Brown

    Host Kailey Armstrong welcomes Naomi Brown, Senior Talent Manager at Neo Financial, to the show for a discussion on the tech sector and Naomi’s experiences within it. Naomi shares that one of the greatest things about working in tech is constantly learning because technology itself is always evolving and changing. She and Kailey talk about what to do if someone is interested in getting into tech, either a startup or an established firm, the differences in pacing between different tech sectors, and the agility needed to forge successful careers. The opportunities are wide open, but it also takes an open-minded approach to succeed in the tech world.  Naomi speaks about the necessity of being able to accept feedback without taking it personally. She says to consider feedback like market research; it’s information that lets us view setbacks as opportunities to fuel solutions. Working in tech has expanded her confidence greatly, and Naomi shares her personal story of navigating changing careers while raising a child alone. She says taking action on decisions is key, regardless of the outcome, because the longer we wait to act, the harder the decision becomes. Naomi weaves personal advice and experience into practical insight on the tech sector for an enlightening look at potential tech careers and what’s needed to succeed. About Naomi Brown, CPHR: Naomi Brown is an accomplished HR leader with nearly 15 years of experience driving people and culture strategies at Suncor, and most recently scaling high-growth teams in Canada’s leading tech companies, including Shopify and Neo Financial. Her work focuses on building strong organizational foundations while helping individuals thrive in fast-paced environments.   Beyond her corporate career, Naomi has served on the boards of Girls Inc. and Waypoints, where she champions equity, empowerment, and efforts to break the cycle of domestic violence. A passionate advocate for designing life with intention, she believes our careers are catalysts for freedom, fulfillment, and, most importantly, greater choice.   Whether she’s exploring new destinations, planning her next bold move, or proudly cheering her daughter on at rugby games, Naomi is committed to living big—and helping others do the same. — Contact Kailey Armstrong | YW Calgary:  WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInEmail: communications@ywcalgary.caContact Naomi Brown, CPHR | Neo Financial:  LinkedIn: NaomiBrown2

    34 min

  6. 08/12/2025

    Embracing the Entrepreneurship Journey: From Idea to Impactful Business

    Host Kailey Armstrong welcomes Suzanne Ebelher, Principal and Managing Director of Mission Ignite Consulting and Senior Business Advisor at YW Calgary, to the podcast to discuss entrepreneurship. Suzanne has launched many businesses throughout her career journey, including a franchise consulting business, and her expertise is shared through workshops like ‘Vision to Venture’ at YW Calgary. She talks with Kailey about the realities of building a business and what is needed to become an entrepreneur.  Falling in love with a problem is a strength that makes for a good entrepreneur, in Suzanne’s experience. Rather than simply trying to fit their idea into a market, a good entrepreneur is open to listening and getting excited by finding problems they can solve. Suzanne and Kailey explore why innovation is important, how women entrepreneurs differ in the business market, and how to face the challenge of impostor syndrome. Women are most likely to be hardest on themselves right out of the gate, and having a community of collaborators and fellow entrepreneurs can greatly assist in achieving a kind of balance in entrepreneurship. What Suzanne offers and what YW Calgary provides is that community, and they foster partnerships between women entrepreneurs who can help each other succeed. Suzanne’s insight is both practical and powerful, offering actionable advice and internal reflections for any entrepreneur to consider.  About Suzanne Ebelher, CMC, CPHR, MBA: Suzanne Ebelher, CMC, CHRP, MBA, is the Principal and Managing Director of Mission Ignite Consulting. Suzanne has over 20 years of experience assisting clients on a variety of consulting topics such as business process improvement, strategic planning, change management, business planning, focus group facilitation, project management, compensation reviews, HR policy & organizational effectiveness and customized training programs. She has worked closely with various stakeholder groups, facilitating community engagement discussions. Suzanne works collaboratively with her clients to help facilitate decision making and business improvements by providing the necessary support documentation, policies, processes, tools and plans in order to achieve their desired goals and vision of success. She has worked with Indigenous communities, provincial departments, unionized organizations, large private corporations, entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations, assisting them all with meeting various needs. ​Suzanne brings knowledge from her MBA specializing in Executive Management, her Bachelor of Arts degree, her Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation, Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP), IAP2 certification, designation and certificates in E-Learning and Adult education. Suzanne is also certified in Prosci® Change Management, Strategic Doing, has an Executive Compensation Certificate and several courses towards her CCP designation. Suzanne also serves as the Senior Business Advisor at YW Calgary. — Contact Kailey Armstrong | YW Calgary:  WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInEmail: communications@ywcalgary.caContact Suzanne Ebelher | YW Calgary | Mission Ignite Management Consulting Inc.:  Website: MissionIgnite.caLinkedIn: Suzanne Ebelher

    29 min

  7. 08/12/2025

    Wellness for your Wallet

    Host Kailey Armstrong welcomes Lauren Hutchison, the YW Calgary leader of women’s economic prosperity, to the podcast to talk about wellness in finance. Lauren explains that her view of financial wellness is embodying pieces of our financial stories that allow us to live our lives fully balanced. She highlights the difference in financial engagement and empowerment for women, which can be different from their partners, and is a focus of her work and the conversation between her and Kailey. How can people get excited about learning to be confident in navigating decisions about their own finances?  Lauren shares that the new program on financial futures that YW Calgary recently launched helped her continue learning even as she facilitated the programs. There can be a sense that finances are not entirely our own when we have a partner and a child. Learning confidence in decision-making while managing household finances is a key part of education. By inspiring curiosity instead of anxiety when it comes to financial literacy, Lauren hopes to shift the narrative away from negative stories that influence decision-making in misaligned ways. She and Kailey discuss stories shared by program participants, the types of actions that can influence positive change in financial wellness, and how to make decisions that authentically align with our future goals. About Lauren Hutchison: Lauren is the Supervisor of Women’s Economic Prosperity for YW Calgary. She is a passionate and motivated individual who supports resiliency and leadership in communities through education, opportunity, and engagement. — Contact Kailey Armstrong | YW Calgary:  WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInEmail: communications@ywcalgary.caContact Lauren Hutchison | YW Calgary:  Website: ywcalgary.caLinkedIn: Lauren-Hutchison-9580ba93

    29 min

  8. 08/12/2025

    From Adversity to Acceleration: Turning STEM Expertise into Consulting Success

    Host Kailey Armstrong welcomes Jessica Vandenberghe, Assistant Dean of Community and Culture at the University of Victoria and Founder of Guiding Star Consulting, to YWAIT | Women Advancing Ideas Together. Kailey and Jessica discuss Jessica’s journey through STEM education, obtaining her Masters in Engineering, her First Nations heritage, and why she founded Guiding Star Consulting. Jessica highlights the need for female STEM role models for children and why diverse voices are key to fostering collective understanding and facilitating Truth and Reconciliation.  Jessica is First Nations from the Danita First Nation in Treaty Eight territory, and her background story includes a sense of self-motivation learned from her parents, and why she chose a STEM career over a more creative pursuit. She speaks about why diversity, equity, and inclusion are not simply about reducing barriers, but need to focus on building the supportive and safe environment needed for people to thrive. Jessica’s career journey was fundamental in leading her to establish Guiding Star Consulting. She shares with Kailey how she was shaped by her experiences and the STEM mentorship and parenting inspirations she now passes to her own children. The conversation is eye-opening and insightful, highlighting Jessica’s profound understanding of what is needed to foster greater DEI and support Truth and Reconciliation. About Jessica Vandenberghe, P.Eng. FEC FGC (Hon) FCAE: Jessica Vandenberghe, P.Eng., FEC, FCAE has worked in oilsands, infrastructure, mining, regulatory, and a variety of other industries. She has built her experience off the Bachelors and Masters Engineering degrees from the University of Alberta. Jessica has strength in project management, people leadership and business strategy with a compassionate, authentic approach and makes decisions through a risk-based lens.   As a mother and an Indigenous female engineer, she is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion along with Truth and Reconciliation. She serves on a variety of Boards and Councils and you can find her doing volunteer outreach work with students in her spare time along with co-hosting the Podcast called Unsettled: Journeys in Truth and Conciliation.   She is excited to be part of the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Victoria, serving as the Assistant Dean, Community and Culture.   Her consultancy firm, Guiding Star Consulting, serves Indigenous Communities and those who wish to contribute Reconciliation in a good way. She also delivers workshops, keynotes, strategies / business planning, environmental scans, and engagement on equity, diversity and inclusion. She brings her lived experience to work on governance, policy, development and facilitation of human centred learning, strategic and business planning and Reconciliation implementation to her clients. — Contact Kailey Armstrong | YW Calgary:  WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInEmail: communications@ywcalgary.caContact Jessica Vandenberghe | Guiding Star Consulting:  Website: linkedin.com/company/guiding-star-consultingLinkedin: jessica-vandenberghe-p-eng-alberta

    38 min

  9. 07/31/2025

    Trailer - YWAIT: Women Advancing Ideas Together

    Host Kailey Armstrong welcomes you to YWAIT: Women Advancing Ideas Together, a podcast featuring interviews designed to inspire action. The bold discussions with leaders, changemakers, and strong women will be centred around entrepreneurship, economic wellness, and professional growth, aiming to create change. Join the conversation on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform and be part of the movement toward a future of possibilities. Why wait?   Contact Kailey Armstrong | YW Calgary:  WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInEmail: communications@ywcalgary.ca

    1 min

Trailer

About

Welcome to YWAIT, the podcast where inspiring ideas meet real action. Hosted by Kailey and powered by YW Calgary, each episode features trailblazers and change-makers sparking conversations on entrepreneurship, financial wellness, leadership, and personal growth. Why wait? Join us and be part of the conversation.

Information