Women of Inspiration™ Podcast with host Monica Kretschmer. Interviewing women making an impact, locally, nationally, and globally. Join our podcast to listen to the inspiring journeys of women blazing the rails, leading by example, ignoring the naysayers, and inspiring those around them to take action and dream big.

In this episode, we interview Victoria Nguyen | Vice President, Delivery Capital Markets CIBC | 100 Women of Inspiration™ Book Contributor.

Like many newcomers to Canada, my family and I left a war-torn country in search of a better life. We escaped Vietnam as refugees known as “The Boat People”. Imagine close to 300 men, women, and children crammed together on the decks of a leaky 60 ft long wooden boat. These local fishing vessels were not equipped for long ocean voyages and many have lost their lives adrift on them. I am a first-generation Vietnamese Canadian immigrant who grew up in a small Dutch farming community where my primary educational years were with no one that looked like me. 

The Vietnamese culture was not well known back then aside from images and accounts of the horrific war – kids would tease me for looking different, made fun of the foods I ate, my accent, and my struggles in learning a new culture. It would be years before we moved to the city where there was more ethnic diversity.

Be Inspired.

Nominate a Woman of Inspiration and learn more, visit: https://universalwomensnetwork.com

Women of Inspiration Book - https://universalwomensnetwork.com/book-contributors/

#UniversalWomensNetwork

Watch video - https://youtu.be/0FR_2uh4rIM

Women of Inspiration™ Podcast with host Monica Kretschmer. Interviewing women making an impact, locally, nationally, and globally. Join our podcast to listen to the inspiring journeys of women blazing the rails, leading by example, ignoring the naysayers, and inspiring those around them to take action and dream big.

In this episode, we interview Elizabeth Blake Thomas – Director, Mother Daughter Entertainment | 100 Women of Inspiration™ Book Contributor.

Elizabeth Blake-Thomas is a British award-winning storyteller and philanthropist based in Los Angeles, having recently directed her latest feature film during the COVID-19 pandemic. Will, You Be My Quarantine? is a rom-com starring Full House/Fuller House star Jodie Sweetin and is set to release in 2021. Elizabeth’s recent film Evie Rose, starring Oscar-nominated actress Terry Moore, premiered January 2021 on Amazon. Elizabeth is the founder and resident director of entertainment company Mother & Daughter Entertainment, whose motto is “Making Content That Matters”, putting the focus on each project starting a conversation amongst viewers.

 A regular on panels at Sundance, Cannes, and Toronto International Film Festival, Elizabeth mentors wherever possible, ensuring she sends the elevator back down to all other female storytellers. Creator of the healing methodology Medicine with Words; learn to lead a more purposeful, peaceful life through guided studies of intention, reflection, and deeper discoveries.

Be Inspired.

Nominate a Woman of Inspiration and learn more, visit: https://universalwomensnetwork.com

Women of Inspiration Book - https://universalwomensnetwork.com/book-contributors/

#UniversalWomensNetwork

Watch video - https://youtu.be/16mmG84AswI

Women of Inspiration™ Podcast with host Monica Kretschmer. Interviewing women making an impact, locally, nationally, and globally. Join our podcast to listen to the inspiring journeys of women blazing the rails, leading by example, ignoring the naysayers, and inspiring those around them to take action and dream big.

In this episode, we interview Monique Auffrey – 100 Women of Inspiration Book Contributor | CEO, Advocate, Author, Award Winner, City Council Hopeful, Board Member of COSW

Every woman has a story! Hosted by Monica Kretschmer, Founder, CEO, Universal Womens Network™, and Women of Inspiration™, Monica interviews inspiring female CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs, change-makers, visionaries, and everyday heroes from diverse backgrounds industries making an impact locally, nationally, and globally.

Women of Inspiration take the road less traveled, ignore the naysayers and inspire others to dream big!

Listen to stories that are real, raw, and authentic. Learn from women who have pushed through challenges, overcome barriers, lead by example, and achieve success in business and in life!

Be inspired!

Nominate a Woman of Inspiration and learn more, visit: https://universalwomensnetwork.com

Women of Inspiration Book - https://universalwomensnetwork.com/book-contributors/

#UniversalWomensNetwork

Women of Inspiration™ Podcast with host Monica Kretschmer. Interviewing women making an impact, locally, nationally and globally. Join our podcast to listen to the inspiring journeys of women blazing the rails, leading by example, ignoring the naysayers and inspiring those around them to take action and dream big.

In this episode, we interview Carmen Vetian – Carmen Vetian Professional Corporation | 2019 Women of Inspiration™ Inspire Award | 100 Women of Inspiration™ Book Contributor.

Carmen has been a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA), since 2001. Since 1999, she has worked primarily in public practice, in various roles from junior apprentice to senior manager, and for the past 14 years the Owner/Partner of her own accounting and tax practice in Airdrie, Alberta. Carmen is also a member of the Academy of Financial Divorce Specialists as a Chartered Financial Divorce Specialist (CFDS), assisting clients and lawyers in arriving at equitable financial distribution. Within these roles, she has had various responsibilities for all tax compliance and due diligence processes for regular tax reporting requirements and also for acquisitions and corporate reorganizations.

Be Inspired.

Nominate a Woman of Inspiration and learn more, visit: https://universalwomensnetwork.com

Women of Inspiration Book - https://universalwomensnetwork.com/book-contributors/

#UniversalWomensNetwork

Watch video - https://youtu.be/3Lq2sTlRxM8

Women of Inspiration™ Podcast with host Monica Kretschmer. Interviewing women making an impact, locally, nationally and globally. Join our podcast to listen to the inspiring journeys of women blazing the rails, leading by example, ignoring the naysayers and inspiring those around them to take action and dream big.

In this episode, we interview Shelley Uvanile-Hesch | CEO of a non-profit organization, Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada | 2020 Women of Inspiration™ Rural Leader Award recipient.

In Feb 1999 I met and fell in love with my soul mate. A few years later I started my journey into a new area of the transportation industry, trucking. Not even a year into trucking my husband decided to quit his job at the local cheese factory and obtain his Class A license so we could drive team together. In March 2005 we started a new job at Sharp Transportation Systems Inc where we felt it was going to be a perfect fit and the company we would retire from. Labour Day weekend of 2005 is one I will never forget my oldest son who suffered from mental health issues committed suicide at 18 years of age. As if this was not enough 10 months (2006) later my youngest son died of a drug overdose at 16 yrs old. 

Even with therapy he never got over the loss of his older brother. With the love and support of my husband, I continued to move forward in life. Although I was never really the same as I lost a piece of me I could never get back. In late 2014 the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada (WTFC) was born. This was a real struggle as our industry is an “old boys club” and very much male-dominated. At one point I almost gave up but my father reminded me whose daughter I was and that we aren’t quitters.

Be Inspired.

Nominate a Woman of Inspiration and learn more, visit: https://universalwomensnetwork.com

Women of Inspiration Book - https://universalwomensnetwork.com/book-contributors/

#UniversalWomensNetwork

Watch video - https://youtu.be/Iv9tuN5KW2E

Women of Inspiration™ Podcast with host Monica Kretschmer. Interviewing women making an impact, locally, nationally and globally. Join our podcast to listen to the inspiring journeys of women blazing the rails, leading by example, ignoring the naysayers and inspiring those around them to take action and dream big.

In this episode, we interview Margaret Adu | President Aomega Group Inc.

My singular goal was to work as an architect. I didn't have anything otherwise. I thought, “I’m an architect, and I'm going to work as an architect.” I soon realized that it didn't come that easy. So, I called every architect in Edmonton. I would say, “My name is Margaret Adu, I am a qualified Architect from Ghana, and I want to work as an architect.” And every one of them turned me down.

One home care client changed everything for me. She became like my grandma. She said, "Where did you come from – did you fall from heaven?" I said, "No. Africa."

Be Inspired.

Nominate a Woman of Inspiration and learn more, visit: https://universalwomensnetwork.com

Women of Inspiration Book - https://universalwomensnetwork.com/book-contributors/

#UniversalWomensNetwork

Watch video - https://youtu.be/Iv9tuN5KW2E

Women of Inspiration™ Podcast with host Monica Kretschmer. Interviewing women making an impact, locally, nationally and globally. Join our podcast to listen to the inspiring journeys of women blazing the rails, leading by example, ignoring the naysayers and inspiring those around them to take action and dream big.

In this episode, we interview Donna P. Dahl, Master Empowerment Coach, Developmental Editor and Author, was selected by Top 100 Magazine as one of Canada's Top 100 Professionals for 2020.

Donna is often referred to as a thought leader and a coach's coach. Her book, Lessons I Learned from the Tortoise, continues to receive 5-star reviews on Amazon after more than five years of being in print. Donna’s award-winning work in support of small business spans more than a decade. In that time, she has coached CEOs, trained not-for-profit boards and staff, written five books, produced numerous published articles, recorded over 100 audio weekly shows, has been a university guest lecturer and conference speaker, and has brought writers into the world of authorship. She has achieved a reputation as a developmental editor for book-length manuscripts.

Be Inspired.

Nominate a Woman of Inspiration and learn more, visit: https://universalwomensnetwork.com

Women of Inspiration Book - https://universalwomensnetwork.com/book-contributors/

#UniversalWomensNetwork

Watch video - https://youtu.be/Iv9tuN5KW2E

Women of Inspiration™ Podcast with host Monica Kretschmer. Interviewing women making an impact, locally, nationally and globally. Join our podcast to listen to the inspiring journeys of women blazing the rails, leading by example, ignoring the naysayers and inspiring those around them to take action and dream big.

In this episode, we interview Desiree Bombenon, CEO & Chief Disruption Officer for SureCall Contact Center | 2019 Women of Inspiration Award Recipient.

My story is one of possibilities and opportunities. It is the same story we all share. I started with nothing and worked hard to get to a comfortable place, and I understand that reaching that place happened with lots of support and love along the way. I was fortunate and I am grateful, and in turn, I spend my time looking for ways to provide that same support back to women and girls all over the world so that they see those same possibilities and opportunities that I did. I had a hard life, we were poor immigrants, I had an abusive father, I was bullied and struggled through school, my life could have been over before it ever got started. 

Now I am a successful entrepreneur, mother, and wife, and I want to leave a legacy that speaks to the resilience and grit of women. That starts with not just sharing your stories, it is also about sharing your inspirations, your intentions and what got you through the really challenging and tough days. It's about being there for each other past the stories and into the how and why. The real magic is realizing that everything we need to be happy and to survive is within each of us, and then taking that power and using it.

Be Inspired.

Nominate a Woman of Inspiration and learn more, visit: https://universalwomensnetwork.com

Women of Inspiration Book - https://universalwomensnetwork.com/book-contributors/

#UniversalWomensNetwork

Watch video - https://youtu.be/Iv9tuN5KW2E

Women of Inspiration™ Podcast with host Monica Kretschmer. Interviewing women making an impact, locally, nationally and globally. Join our podcast to listen to the inspiring journeys of women blazing the rails, leading by example, ignoring the naysayers and inspiring those around them to take action and dream big.

In this episode, we interview Tracy Lamourie is the CEO, Creative Director of Lamourie Media, and author of the upcoming book GET REPPED - Build Your Brand With Effective Public & Media Relations.

She is a well-known long-time advocate on many important worldwide issues and an award-winning international publicist working across industries from major entertainment projects to small businesses always supporting other women in their rise. Tracy is passionate about amplifying important messages and being a voice for those who most need one. Recognized by media around the world for her 20-year campaign that ultimately helped free an innocent man from death row in Pennsylvania, for her work in PR and for her local community work. Winner of the FIRST PLACE PLATINUM award HamiltonSpectator Readers Choice for PR 2018, Diamond 2019. 

She also won the Marketing award at the Magnetic Entrepreneur & Author Awards 2019 in Toronto and has been frequently quoted in the international media on both human rights issues, as a Public Relations thought leader and inspirational businesswoman. She is a 2020 RBC Women of Influence Nominee and a 2020 Universal Women's Network Woman of Inspiration Nominee and was also recently nominated for the internationally prestigious 2020 Tällberg/Eliasson Global Leadership Prize.

Be Inspired.

Nominate a Woman of Inspiration and learn more, visit: https://universalwomensnetwork.com

Women of Inspiration Book - https://universalwomensnetwork.com/book-contributors/

#UniversalWomensNetwork

Watch video - https://youtu.be/Iv9tuN5KW2E

Women of Inspiration™ Podcast with host Monica Kretschmer. Interviewing women making an impact, locally, nationally and globally. Join our podcast to listen to the inspiring journeys of women blazing the rails, leading by example, ignoring the naysayers and inspiring those around them to take action and dream big.

In this episode, we interview Victoria Barnes - Formulation Assistant Manager for Dove Deodorants at Unilever.

Barnes was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, an autistic spectrum disorder when she was little. It means her brain is wired a little differently, so many aspects of modern professional life affect her in ways that others take for granted. However, she worked hard to challenge herself and overcome her anxieties to achieve many things she never thought she would. Barnes would love to speak about how her unique strengths and ways of seeing the world have helped her get to where she is, and hopefully inspire others who have similar challenges.

Be Inspired.

Nominate a Woman of Inspiration and learn more, visit: https://universalwomensnetwork.com

#UniversalWomensNetwork

Watch Video - https://youtu.be/Iv9tuN5KW2E