The Honest Talk

“The notion that I’d someday be doing all the things that I am doing is almost unbelievable when you think about where I started.” – Katie Taylor

Katie Taylor is recognized as one of the most influential women in corporate Canada. She is the Chair of the Board at RBC and the first woman to hold this role at a major Canadian bank. In Katie’s remarkable professional journey, she has served as the President and CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and has been a member of several boards including The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and SickKids Foundation. Katie has received numerous awards including the Order of Canada. In this episode of The Honest Talk, Jen and Catherine speak with Katie Taylor about women’s underrepresentation on corporate boards and what needs to be done to break the barrier. She also talks about recognizing and seizing opportunities when they come. As a successful corporate leader and the mother of three children, Katie shares insights on how she manages her work-life balance. Katie also discusses her partner’s role in her life and the importance of investing in one’s own future. Last but not least, she offers important advice to THT listeners about deciding for yourself, and not for others.

“For me throughout my career, advocacy has always been the thing that fires me up the most, brings me the most meaning, and where I feel the most satisfaction.” – Dr. Katharine Smart
Dr. Katharine Smart is President of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and a tireless and vocal advocate for children and youth, access to vaccines, and strengthening the Canadian health care system. Prior to her current role, she was a pediatric emergency medicine physician at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. In this episode of The Honest Talk, Jen and Catherine speak with Dr. Katharine Smart about her approach to leadership and why advocacy is so important to her. They also dive into her interest in global health, her experience working in Northern and remote communities, her role as a physician in Indigenous reconciliation, how she handled hateful online remarks for being a strong advocate for vaccines, and so much more.

“Who I am and where I come from has enabled me to carry myself and be able to confront any challenge that has been put in front of me.” - Jody Wilson-Raybould

She’s a proud Kwakwaka'wakw person from the west coast of British Columbia with a phenomenal career in politics and community development. Jody Wilson-Raybould served as the independent Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville, Minister of Justice, Attorney General of Canada, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and Associate Minister of National Defense. Jody is also a lawyer, best-selling author, and leader in British Columbia’s First Nations. She has been a champion of Indigenous and women’s rights throughout her career. In this episode of The Honest Talk, Jen and Catherine speak with Jody about her proud identity and her inspiration, what gives her hope as we continue to struggle through the pandemic, and about her political memoir. Jody also opens up about speaking truth to power and shares how she handled criticism and hateful remarks in a time of national turmoil.

“If you can’t be there for yourself, you are not going to have the ability and energy to take care of the others around you.” Cheryl Tjok-A-Tam is transforming the way major corporations embrace change and foster diversity, equity and communication. Cheryl is Vice President of Strategic Initiative and Change Management – Finance with the Royal Bank of Canada, the largest bank in the country. Cheryl immigrated to Canada from Jamaica as a child and rose through the ranks, overcoming biases and stereotypes to establish herself as a leading change agent. As a black woman, Cheryl has made it her mission to nurture a vibrant and collaborative workplace for all. In this episode of The Honest Talk, Jen and Catherine speak with Cheryl about progress made in workplace diversity and gender equity, and what more needs to be done. Cheryl also opens up about people who have inspired her and how she invests in herself to ensure she is able to make positive changes for others.

“I try to keep it real as much as possible because that’s what helps people connect to our show.” Ginella Massa is an award-winning journalist and the host of Canada Tonight with Ginella Massa on CBC News Network. She is also Canada’s first hijab-wearing television news reporter, local anchor, and national host. Throughout her career, Ginella has worked hard to make sure that diverse voices and stories are heard. In this energetic and motivating interview, Ginella talks to Jen and Catherine about her identity as a Muslim, what drives her forward in her professional life, what she thinks about social media, and much more.

“Challenges and adversities that you face are only the preparation for the next challenge you are going to face.” Mairead Lavery came to Canada as a young professional, and now she is making history. Mairead is the President and CEO of Export Development Canada (EDC) – the first woman ever to hold that position. In this episode of The Honest Talk, Jen and Catherine speak with Mairead about her phenomenal professional and personal experiences, what shaped her early career, what made her succeed in Canada, and what she thinks about the Canadian trade sector.

She’s smart, wickedly funny and totally down to earth, and she’s the Blue-Collar CEO. Mandy Rennehan, the founder of multimillion-dollar retail renovation company Freshco (not the grocery store!), is well known for her authenticity, sense of humour and for championing women in a male-dominated industry. In this candid conversation, Mandy – who has a show coming out this spring with HGTV and a soon-to-be-released book from HarperCollins – talks to Jen and Catherine about the entrepreneurial ambitions that emerged when she was a child in rural Nova Scotia, the power of ambition, and the importance of listening, learning and being accountable.

Two-time Olympian. World Champion. Communications Professional. There’s no question that Lisa Weagle is working towards, and accomplishing, big goals. In this episode of The Honest Talk, Jen and Catherine speak with Lisa about how she’s preparing for the 2022 Beijing Olympics with Team Jennifer Jones, her advice to young girls in sports, and how to use your voice.

She is committed, brave and bold. Rosemary Barton, Chief Political Correspondent for CBC News, is an award-winning and long-time political journalist. She is also the first woman to hold this position. She is well known for breaking political news, asking tough questions, and being an inspiration to many young women across Canada. In this open and honest conversation, Rosemary talks to Jen and Catherine about what drives her forward in her professional & personal life, her relationship with social media and her contribution to the public conversation.

Marie Wilson is an award-winning journalist who founded northern Canada’s first daily television news service which operated in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. She was also notably one of three Commissioner’s of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where she traveled the country to witness and record the testimonies of thousands of residential school survivors. In this open and honest conversation, Marie talks to Jen and Catherine about the power of love, the value of hindsight and the importance of building a society where all feel accepted & heard.