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Q&A With Christina Rowsell

Calgary’s Christina Rowsell – Nationally loved radio personality, mother and broadcast professional.


Who are your favourite business people?
People who get it done!

Who were your role models?
Wendy Voykin, my high school drama teacher. She always gave me the roles I didn’t think I could do. Little did I know she was paving the road for life… where I’m often doing things I never thought I could do! I hope I encourage others the way she did for me.

Whose life would you like to live for a day if you could?
My brother Jamie’s. He passed away at the age of 36 in 2007. And I’ve always said that you should never judge a person unless you’ve lived a day in their shoes. If I had the chance to walk in his shoes I may have understood the short life he lived while he was still with us.

What career would you have if you weren’t doing what you are doing now?
Kindergarten teacher. You might think I was one if you looked in my “craft room” at home. I always have all kinds of fun things for my boys to do and make!

What is your strength?
Figuring it out! When life hits you with the unexpected, I usually panic at first, but then I ALWAYS figure it out. If I don’t know how to do it, how it works, or how it’ll turn out, I seem to work my way through it and usually surprise myself in the end.

Who was your favourite Woman of Influence this past year?
Mandy Shapansky, the first Canadian Woman to be named CEO of Xerox Canada. She’s a mother of four and knows the definition of living a balanced life. She reminded me that you can’t always balance your home and work; it can be a juggle with glass balls. Just be careful which ball you toss into the air.

What are your words of advice to young women starting out?
1) Life happens. And when you let it happen, that’s when you’ll really find out what you’re capable of ; 2) don’t beat yourself up. Before you can move forward you need to believe in yourself; and 3) find your passion. When it comes naturally and you truly love it, that’s your passion. If you don’t like what you’re doing now, do something else.

What is your most marked characteristic?
I care. Really, I care how you are. At the end of the day when you think no one cares, just remember that I do.

What do you wish you knew 15 years ago?
I wish I would have known that it really will be okay. All those heartaches and heartbreaks will heal. When one door closes another one ALWAYS opens. Someone told me that when I was in my 20’s, but I didn’t believe them!

What is the trait you least favour in professional women?
Arrogance and bullying. I’ve never been a fan of anyone who feels they need to push ANYONE around.

What was your first job?
Delivering Sears Christmas catalogues. Man… those where heavy books back then… and I delivered every one in the snow!! (I was 14)

How do you celebrate success?
Usually with a phone call to my husband who will shout it out to everyone! Followed by a call to my best friend Jodie in Vancouver, who has been there for me since the 8th grade!

When are you most happy?
When I hear my boys giggle. I’ll be busy around the house, and when I hear a giggle come from the other room. I stop what I’m doing, go and see what’s going on and smile! There’s nothing better than hearing a child laugh!