Run it Like a Girl

Jenn T Grace is the founder of Publish Your Purpose Press and an author of several books. Her company is a  hybrid book publisher that focuses on non-fiction and memoirs.  Jenn didn't have all the answers when she started her publishing company, but she followed the just do it mentality as she knew this was her calling.

In this episode Jenn talks about the lack of diversity in the American publishing industry, but she sees hope in the fact that people are starting to demand that most voices are heard. 

Her advice to others - follow your passion and push past your fears.

The Fast Three
What is your favourite podcast or source of information?  The Wheel of Misfortune, I Mom so Hard
What are you currently reading? Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman, Why Cats are Assholes by Liz Miele The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes
Who is currently inspiring you? Inspired by all the people who work in design thinking

Learn more about Jenn
https://jenntgrace.com/
House on Fire: Finding resilience, hope and purpose in the ashes
Publish Your Purpose Press

Elizabeth Bachman, and her Strategic Speaking for Results program, trains business professionals on how to get results through speaking. Elizabeth wasn’t always a trainer, and spent 30 years in the international opera world, 11 of those operating a summer opera company in the Austrian Alps.

On this episode of Run It Like a Girl, Elizabeth Bachman talks about the importance of knowing your audience, and how women who are new to management can lead effectively.  Elizabeth also talks about the glass ceilings she faced in the Opera industry - particularly losing job opportunities to less qualified candidates - usually men.

Learn more about Elizabeth
https://elizabethbachman.com/

Jeanette Brown is the founder of Excellence and Presence Communications, a public relations firm whose clients have included companies such as Pepsi, Reebok, NASCAR, Audi, and the U.S. Open.

Jeanette, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, was originally studying to become a nurse until she switched her major to early childhood education. At the same time, at the age of 20 Jeanette landed her first job at a PR agency where she was pitching to the media a U.S. Open Tennis camp for girls.

On this episode of Run It Like a Girl, Jeanette Brown tells us that she helps client companies with all aspects of their business, including crisis communication.  Jeanette also talks about authentic storytelling and the importance of resilience.

Learn more about Jeanette:
T.A.S.K Children's Book Series: The Amazingly Sensational Kids

Excellence & Presence Communications (https://excellencepresence.com/)

For business inquires or press requests, email: [email protected]

The Fast Three
What is your favourite podcast or source of information? Ebro in the Morning Show
What are you currently reading? Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the 21 Century, Edited by Alice Wong
Who is currently inspiring you? My son

Shareen Luze is the Head of Culture and Field Experience with RBC Wealth Management.

An employment attorney by trade, she joined RBC’s law group 15 years ago, shifting into human resources a couple of years after that.
And when, a decade later, Shareen was approached by an executive about heading up the human relations portfolio, she had a surprising response.. -no way-.

After some encouragement from others, Shareen did indeed apply and get the job as head of human relations, .and most recently she’s taken on a new role - RBC Wealth Management’s head of culture and field experience.

Shareen says developing and maintaining a healthy culture at work is vital, particularly during Covid time.

On this episode Shareen talks about her new role, and how being authentic has been crucial to her success.

And when asked what advice she would give to her younger self it was to speak up. 

LaTonya Wilkins is an author, speaker and the founder of The Change Coaches, an organization that works with corporate leaders and their teams to create cultures of belonging in their workplaces.

On this episode of Run It Like a Girl, LaTonya talks about her book, Leading Below the Surface, and she outlines the three biases of the workplaces, including confirmation bias.

LaTonya also talks to us about the effects of the pandemic on the workplace.  And she disspells some false narratives, including the belief that most people now want to work remotely from home.

For more information on LaTonya:

The Change Coaches
Leading below the Surface

The Fast Three
What is your favourite podcast or source of information? Anything by Wondery
What are you currently reading? The Parable of the sower by Octavia Butler
Who is currently inspiring you? People. Her clients. Her team 

Gemma Castle is the Chief Financial Officer for Cult Wines a global company that provides market-leading fine wine investment and collection management services. 

Gemma always thought she would become a sports journalist, but after university she had two job offers: 1. With a large accounting firm 2. A national newspaper. She took the job with the firm, and began her career as an accountant. 

As her career advanced she found that as a woman she wasn’t always taken seriously. In this episode she talks about resilience, and gives great advice on recovering from setbacks. 

Find out more about Cult Wines: https://www.wineinvestment.com
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The Fast Three
What is your favourite podcast or source of information? Tailenders
What are you currently reading? Olive, Mable and Me
Who is currently inspiring you? Her parents

Heather Odendaal is the CEO and Co-Founder of WNorth, an organization that connects and offers development opportunities for mid-management  women with an upward career trajectory.  Heather started WNorth in 2015 after unsuccessfully seeking out a conference where she could network with like minded women. Heather says WNorth’s membership grew enormously during the pandemic as women sought a community more than ever. 

On this episode of Run It Like a Girl, Heather talks about flexible work models and other initiatives corporations will need to take if they hope to attract and retain top talent. 

And Heather has some great advice for would-be entrepreneurs….work for someone else first before launching your business.

Learn more about WNnorth: https://www.wnorthconnect.com/
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Articles to check out
With COVID stressors forcing women to abandon careers, how do you get male business leaders to lean in? Talk to them about Profit & Loss, not just Diversity & Inclusion. (co-authored by Philip Grosch)

Don’t Fail Your Women Leaders Now

 Heather Odendaal of WNORTH: 5 Things You Need To Know To Successfully Run a Live Virtual Event

Fast three
What's your favourite podcast or source of information: Think about this with Alexis Dean
What are you currently reading: Becoming Heroines: Unleashing our power for Revolution and Rebirth: Elizabeth Cronise McLaughln
Who is currently inspiring you: Melinda Gates 

Please note: Recorded June 30: Vanessa has since achieved a successful exit of the company

Vanessa Iarocci is the CEO of McCarthy Uniforms, a company that employs over 300 people, with another 200 seasonal youth staff; working out of 12 locations in southern Ontario. 

The 65-year-old company had become insolvent a decade after the founders sold it off, so they bought it back.  A lot of work was needed to restore McCarthy Uniforms to its former glory, and that’s where Vanessa came in.

On this episode of Run It Like a Girl, Vanessa talks to us about resilience, and the added challenges of having no real job description, and having to define her role as she went. Vanessa also shares her views on leadership and what being a leader means to her. 

Rachel Hill landed a great job out of university and by her mid 20s was making 6 figures.  From the outside she had a full life, but inside she was miserable and diagnosed with anxiety.  At the age of 27 she retired from corporate America and decided to travel before settling down. While oversees she started a blog to keep family and friends up to date with her adventures.

Rachel was one of the only Black American women travelling alone and backpacking. In 2014 her blog blew up. She was sharing her experiences of travel and what it was like when she would meet people who have never met a Black women before. She started getting paid for her work, and soon turned it into a career.

In this episode Rachel talks branding, overcoming setbacks and gives great advice for anyone thinking of trying to start a career as blogger.

Learn more about Rachel: https://www.racheltravels.com/

Deena Baikowitz is the founder and Chief Networking Officer of Fireball Network, which helps clients access business and career opportunities.

Originally from Montreal, Deena calls New York City home, although she’s currently stuck in Toronto due to the Covid lockdown.

Deena is all about networking, and has some practical advice for people looking to build their own network, and she tell us about why diversity is so important within her own networks.

Deena is also a comedian, a passion that took off when she was centred out while leaving a comedy show, and she points out that scientific evidence suggests that humour and laughter are good for us in all facets of life.

Learn more about Deena

Fireball Network: https://fireballnetwork.com/

Twitter: @fireballdeena
Instagram: @fireballdeena