After earning a Mechanical Engineering degree at U of C, Jessica Soodeen’s career was traditional until she, quite literally, RACED to her dream of international motorsports. Jessica’s motorcycle road racing led to working with open-wheel Formula Race cars at the best circuits in Europe, Professional Formula Driving coaching, stepping in as team manager when needed and teaching her drivers to secure sponsors. She holds a Masters of Technical Specialization in Automobile Competition (motorsports) from Spain and worked for a Championship-winning Formula Renault team! Since then, her 20+ year career includes roles as global Director of Engineering and VP of Engineering, earning a Six Sigma Lean Expert designation along the way.

Joelly Goodson – Branding Matters

Joelly (AKA the Branding Badass) is an award-winning branding expert who helps her corporate clients create brand awareness with badass merchandise. She’s also the creator and host of BRANDING MATTERS – a podcast dedicated to helping small business owners and entrepreneurs create brand equity. Named one of “The 10 Best Branding Podcasts in Canada” by Feedspot, Branding Matters is also ranked on Goodpods Top 100 Indie Marketing Pods. And it’s the only podcast to be listed on #Online18 for 2022: Promo’s Most Influential Socia Media Voices. Joelly’s also an ambassador for Gems for Gems – a charity dedicated to helping victims of domestic abuse get back on their feet.

Janet Pillay – Dying the Dream – End of Life Doula

After leaving the world of law, living abroad and returning to Canada with her terminally ill husband, Janet’s life was forever altered. Her husband’s death caused a profound shift that in time enabled her to find her path and step fully into her purpose. Janet is a well-known resource in terms of bringing joy and dignity to the dying and their families by inspiring, motivating and liberating them to enjoy an enriched end-of-life, chock full of purpose and meaning.

Maria Martiniello – Be Memorable – Author

Maria Martiniello is the 2018 Recipient of the MPI Award of Excellence and the 2018 Recipient of the Women of Inspiration Innovative Leader Award. Maria’s work is about being mindful, motivated, and memorable. A place where we can be inspired by others, therefore, inspiring ourselves. By sharing our personal stories and journeys, we are open to discussions and creating a safe environment for us to connect and grow. Stronger together. Let’s learn from one another and create a world that is more accepting of helping each other by supporting and showing empathy for every person.  Maria’s new book, “Find Yourself,” helps readers to recognize the signs of narcissism. Based on life scenarios, we explore signs and ask ourselves thought-provoking questions about our relationships. Through engagement and sharing experiences, we find ourselves and regain our power. In this book, victims recount the type of emotional, relationship-based abuse many of us are familiar with. Most willingly stay in these relationships until they can no longer preserve themselves, their dignity, or their sanity. People in these scenarios continually doubt their thoughts, decisions, and self-worth until they can no longer tolerate being gaslit by their partners —all traits of narcissistic abuse and the ensuing personal journeys.

Made by Momma – CBWN Charity of Choice

A grassroots non-profit organization and registered Canadian charity located in Calgary. We help families facing situations of adversity and crisis by providing healthy prepared meals, wholesome baked goods, baby essentials, children’s items, supportive in-home visitors and other services to allow mothers the time they need to rest, recover and focus on their families and their health. Because we are volunteer-run, our operating costs are kept low, and the effectiveness of donated dollars/ items very high.

Emcee Billie Jo Ross from Star 95.9

Once again, the lovely and entertaining Billie Jo Ross will be our Emcee for the day! We thank her for her valuable contribution to our International Women’s Day Event.