Meet Kelcey Wright Johnson, a young reporter breaking new ground for women in sports media

Since graduating from Ryerson University and Western University just a few years ago, Kelcey Wright Johnson has worked at four World University Games — the biggest international multi-sport event behind the Olympic Games — and is the only female Canadian to work for the host broadcast at four universiades. Kelcey has also worked as a reporter with the Toronto Pan Am Games and the North American Indigenous Games, and works full time as a sideline reporter and play-by-play commentator for two basketball leagues in Toronto. Find out how she made her passion a life long career.

Breaking Barriers: How to Defy Expectations and Develop the Career of Your Dreams

Join us on September 6 for the season premiere of the Women of Influence Evening Series as we welcome the inspirational Ginella Massa, the first woman in hijab to ever anchor a major newscast in Canada, to our stage. She’ll discuss the key insights she’s picked up along her nascent yet massively impactful career and how you can defy expectation in your own life. 

Meet Misty McLandress, a Junk-ette throwing misconceptions about women in dirty jobs to the trash

Misty McLandress manages not only the back-end and day-to-day operations of a JUSTJUNK removal franchise, but can also be found on-site and in the trucks, serving customers who are often surprised to find a woman ready and willing to haul their garbage. Yet despite the stereotype, Misty loves her work. “I saw the value in the service that JUSTJUNK would provide to others in our city and families like ours. Helping others and seeing how pleased they are when the job is complete is a great feeling.”

It Started With Courage: How two female entrepreneurs from very different sectors found success

While fashion and finance might not appear to have much in common, both Kathy Gregory, founding president and CEO of Paradigm Quest Inc., and Lisa Drader-Murphy of Lisa Drader-Murphy Designs, share a story of courage and perseverance. In this Q&A hosted by Deloitte Private, Kathy and Lisa open up about what they’ve learned on their entrepreneurial journey.

Meet Ginella Massa, Canada’s first Hijab-wearing news anchor

Ginella Massa had dreams of becoming a news reporter since she was a young girl, despite fears that her appearance didn’t fit the typical mold. Decades later, she realized that life long dream when she became Canada’s first hijab-wearing reporter, and then the first anchor of a major Canadian news channel to wear a hijab on-air. Find out how she broke those barriers to realize the career of her dreams. 

The Power of You: Using Personality and Authenticity to Build a Successful Brand and Business

Join us October 10 for a lively interview with Mandy Rennehan, Blue collar CEO and founder of FreshCo, the most successful retail maintenance and construction company in the country, to find out how one woman from Eastern Canada built a multi-million dollar empire from the ground up. Always one to tell it like it is, expect candid anecdotes and practical, straight-forward advice from Mandy on turning a personal brand into a business model that sets you apart from the competition and achieving success while staying true to yourself.

Meet Gail Bell and Julie Freedman Smith, the duo with parenting power

With a combined 30 years experience in the education sector, Julie and Gail knew they had a unique perspective on parenting. So, in 2002 they founded Parenting Power, a business that helps parents face everyday challenges through a comprehensive suite of parenting tools, including coaching, courses and conferences.

Do you have a quote you turn to for wisdom or advice? Post your favourite on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook using #WOIwisdom and we’ll share a new one each week.