Voices of Leadership | Leadership Stories | Women Leadership | Female Founders

The Fabric of Leadership from Tiger Brand to Cotton Ginny to the United Way with Joan Fisk | Leadership Stories | Women Leadership | Female Founders

Today, we're joined by an individual whose roots in our community run as deep as her impact: Joan Fisk. This past May, Joan was the recipient of the 025 Oktoberfest Women of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award. Joan is a powerhouse leader. Her incredible career began right here at her family's business, the Tiger Brand Knitting Company. It’s a place that holds a surprising bit of fashion history; if you wore a Cotton Ginny or Beaver Canoe t-shirt in the '80s, you were likely wearing a piece of Joan's legacy.  As the current CEO of the United Way, Joan is now focused on strengthening the fabric of our community. I was curious to have this conversation because, like most people I know, I understand what the United Way is and I can recognize its logo, but I didn’t fully understand its unique funding model and the many ways it can help a community. Joan explains it as this: United Way is a little bit from a lot of people to make a difference for people that you don't even know. Links and Resources Joan’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-fisk-8106a912/?originalSubdomain=ca] The United Way [https://www.uwaywrc.ca/]  Connect With Us Voices of Leadership Podcast [https://www.bespokeproductionshub.com/voices-of-leadership] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amy_schlueter/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyschlueter/] Bespoke Productions Website [https://www.bespokeproductionshub.com/] Bespoke Productions Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bespoke__productions/]

Leading with Courage, Vulnerability, and Authenticity | Leadership Stories | Women Leadership | Female Founders

Today’s guest, Natalie Dumond, is someone who knows that leadership isn’t just about strategy and results—it’s about courage, vulnerability, and authenticity. Natalie is a leadership coach, speaker, and certified Dare to Lead facilitator. Her journey began as an HR professional, where she developed her own unique feedback framework, which led to her contribution to Brené Brown’s bestselling book, Dare to Lead—flip to page 205 to read Natalie’s words of wisdom.  In our conversation, Natalie shared her wisdom on the keys to great communication, active and present listening, the art of asking better questions, and even why silence can be your most powerful tool. We also explored how to quiet what she calls the “itty bitty shitty committee,” the role of vulnerability in leadership, and the importance of emotional awareness. Links and Resources Natalie's Website [https://https://www.nataliedumond.com/] Dare to Lead by Brené Brown [https://brenebrown.com/hubs/dare-to-lead/] Connect With Us Voices of Leadership Podcast [https://www.bespokeproductionshub.com/voices-of-leadership] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amy_schlueter/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyschlueter/] Bespoke Productions Website [https://www.bespokeproductionshub.com/] Bespoke Productions Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bespoke__productions/]

The Joy of Cooking and Making Memories: The Story of The Culinary Studio | Leadership Stories | Women Leadership | Female Founders

Listen to Jody and Kirstie's podcast! [https://blog.theculinarystudio.ca/podcast-chef-over-your-shoulder/] Listen to Chef Over Your Shoulder on all major podcast platforms! [https://link.cohostpodcasting.com/373cd7ae-76c5-4fad-ad8a-72bb25a266e5?d=sAixhtJRV] In this episode, I’m joined by two dynamic chefs and educators who have turned their passion for food into a thriving business and a lasting friendship. Red Seal qualified chefs Jody O'Malley and Kirstie Herbstreit are the co-founders of The Culinary Studio. Together, they bonded over properly cooked calamari and never looked back. What began as a shared love of food and teaching grew into a business built on connection, community, and curiosity. In this episode, we talk about why food is so much more than fuel. And how it creates memories, brings people together, and even saves marriages. Jody and Kirstie talk about their duelling chicken noodle soup recipes and the three of us share memories we had cooking with our grandmothers. This conversation was more than a behind-the-scenes look at what happens in their online cooking class.  Jody and Kirstie share what it takes to build and grow a business as partners, the lessons they’ve learned through entrepreneurship, and how being lifelong learners has shaped their journey. This conversation was an inspiring reminder that the kitchen isn’t just a place for cooking. It is also a place of joy, connection, and creativity. Join us every other week for stories that inspire. Hear leadership stories from female founders, trailblazers in women leadership and entrepreneurs sharing their success stories. Connect with Jody and Kirstie Culinary Studio Website [https://www.theculinarystudio.ca/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/culinarystudio] Facbook [https://www.facebook.com/TheCulinaryStudio/] Connect With Us Voices of Leadership Podcast [https://www.bespokeproductionshub.com/voices-of-leadership] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amy_schlueter/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyschlueter/] Bespoke Productions Website [https://www.bespokeproductionshub.com/] Bespoke Productions Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bespoke__productions/]

Sum of My Encounters: Leadership Stories | Women Leadership | Female Founders

In this episode of Voices of Leadership, we talk with Caroline Bergeron, an international painter known as Aro, a professional speaker, author, and former corporate executive. Caroline shares the transformative journey that led her from the corporate world to a life centred on creativity, personal growth, and inspiring others. We dive into the core themes of her book, The Sum of My Encounters. The book explores how our interactions influence our personal development. Caroline, influenced by figures like Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama, shares her thoughts on the impact of encounters on our lives. The book encourages the reader to recognize their potential to overcome past challenges and succeed in all aspects of their life, armed with new perspectives and a willingness to grow. Join us every other week for stories that inspire. Hear leadership stories from female founders, trailblazers in women leadership and entrepreneurs sharing their success stories. Caroline opens up about: * Her transition from corporate leadership to a life of artistry and authorship * How art chose her during her Élite course at the École d'Entrepreneurship de Beauce. She never thought she'd experience such a turning point in her life. A revelation that became a revolution. * What it was like to meet Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama, and the lasting impressions those moments left * How she uses vision boards as a tool for self-direction and creativity * The evolving nature of her non-negotiables and the importance of leading with authenticity * The role of mental health in leadership and the power of embracing our uniqueness to create meaningful impact In addition to her book, Caroline offers coaching for entrepreneurs, creative team-building experiences, and development workshops; all with the goal of helping individuals transform their lives through inspiration and connection. Whether you're navigating a career change, seeking greater authenticity in your leadership, or curious about the power of human connection, this episode will leave you reflecting on the encounters that have shaped your own story. Connect with Caroline (Aro): Caroline Website [https://www.carolinebergeronconferenciere.com/] Aro Website [https://www.aroartiste.com/] Caroline's Book: The Sum of My Encounters [https://www.amazon.ca/SUM-ENCOUNTERS-MILLIONAIRE-ENTREPRENEUR-INTERNATIONAL-ebook/dp/B0F1DQ39WY] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/carolinebergeronconferenciere/?hl=fr] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bergeroncaroline/] Connect With Us Voices of Leadership Podcast [https://www.bespokeproductionshub.com/voices-of-leadership] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amy_schlueter/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyschlueter/] Bespoke Productions Website [https://www.bespokeproductionshub.com/] Bespoke Productions Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bespoke__productions/]

Stories that Inspire with Ginni Saraswati-Cook: Leadership Stories | Women Leadership | Female Founders

My guest today is Ginni Saraswati-Cook. A successful entrepreneur in the podcasting space. However, this story isn’t just about podcasting or entrepreneurship. It’s about airports, Knicks games and cats. My favourite parts of this episode are the stories Ginni tells about how the most meaningful moments often happen when you’re least expecting them. Ginni is the founder of Ginni Media, a global podcast production company that works with everyone from ambitious entrepreneurs to household-name brands. But Ginni doesn’t just produce podcasts—she produces perspective. Her work helps people and companies tune into their frequency and amplify stories that might otherwise go unheard. She’s also the voice behind The Ginni Show, now in its seventh season. A show that, like its host, keeps evolving. This season, she describes it as her personal masterclass, an exploration of the ideas, questions, and curiosities that have been occupying her mind. This conversation left me inspired to pay closer attention to those in-between moments and to stay curious about where they might lead. Join us every other week for leadership stories from female founders, trailblazers in women leadership and entrepreneurs sharing their success stories. Links & resources Ginni Media Website [https://www.ginnimedia.com/] Ginni Media Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ginnimedia] The Ginni Show Podcast - Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-ginni-show/id1150805472] - Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5TpbfVbqwmaEhliPenKxLH?si=8333f24032814b5a] Metro Podcast Studio [https://metropodcaststudio.com/] Connect With Us Voices of Leadership Podcast [https://www.bespokeproductionshub.com/voices-of-leadership] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amy_schlueter/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyschlueter/] Bespoke Productions Website [https://www.bespokeproductionshub.com/] Bespoke Productions Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bespoke__productions/]