Run it Like a Girl

Run It Like a Girl with Denyse Mouck, author

Broken Chair:  A Daughter’s Journey Denyse Mouck is the author of Broken Chair:  A Daughter’s Journey - a work of historical fiction that follows the journey of four generations of women as they try to survive the sexist restrictions of their times.  A key character in the story, Rhita, is based on Denyse’s mother.  To use the cliche - Denyse says she walked a mile in her mom’s moccasins in order to learn about and develop her character. Denyse says she never really viewed herself as a wr...

Run It Like a Girl with Liz Benditt, Multiple Cancer Survivor and CEO of The Balm Box

Liz Benditt is the definition of a survivor.  Based in Kansas City, the mother of two discovered, about 10 years ago, that she had skin cancer. Just 11 months after that, Liz was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and then, in 2015 basal cell carcinoma - skin cancer was discovered on the bridge of Liz’s nose, requiring two surgeries to repair. And unbelievably, two years later, Liz was diagnosed with breast cancer. To make use of an old adage - Liz took all of these lemons, and made lemonade. ...

Run it like a girl with Lesley Gunn, head of marketing for Connor, Clark and Lunn Financial Group Ltd.

I had the great pleasure of working with Lesley  Gunn for several years at a professional services firm in Toronto. I learned a lot from Lesley about leadership, advocating for my own career and to not be afraid of failure.  When Lesley  first started her career like so many others she found herself in a job that she didn't find fulfilling. However, it ultimately helped her understand where she didn't want to focus her career. After some interesting job experience with a newspaper in London...

Run it like a girl with Chef Liz Thompson, owner of Liz Thompson Marketing

Liz Thompson’s life took an unexpected turn about six years ago. The California-based chef, with a MBA in marketing and culinary school under her belt, had recently started teaching and was working at a food show in San Francisco when she unexpectedly loss much of her vision.  After some time off learning to live with the loss of much of her vision, Chef Liz Thompson reinvented herself, and that’s when Liz Thompson Marketing was created. On this episode of Run It Like a Girl, Liz talks abo...

Run it like a girl with Kate Gilman Williams, child advocate, author, CEO, podcaster

Kate Gilman Williams is only 12-years old, but she’s already a well-known animal advocate, CEO and author. Kate, who lives in Austin, Texas, was just 7 when she co-authored a book called ‘Let’s Go on Safari’ and 10 when she founded her organization Kids Can Save Animals. Kate believes that anyone can make a difference, and even a little help can go a long way. On her podcast - Club 15, Kate says a great way to learn is from experts who educate on what we can all do to help save wildlife.  ...

Run it like a girl with Stacey Dakin, Managing Director of Mentor Canada; Director of Strategic Initiatives for Lean In Canada, Season 4, Episode 12

Stacey Dakin is the managing director of Mentor Canada, an organization that was launched in 2019, and currently sits on the board of directors of Lean In Canada where she leads strategic initiatives.  In this episode Bonnie and Stacey dig into mentorship and career development. Learn more about Mentor Canada and Lean In Canada: Mentor Canada LinkedIn Twitter Instagram Facebook Lean In Canada LinkedIn Twitter Instagram Facebook The Fast Three What is your favourite podcast or source of ...

Run it like a girl with Bernadette Butler, CEO and Co-Founder of StoryTap, Season 4, Episode 11

Bernadette Butler is the CEO and Co-Founder of StoryTap, a tech firm that works with companies to increase their brand engagement by giving their customers a voice and the ability to share it through personalized videos. With offices in Vancouver and Toronto, Bernadette says StoryTap also works with clients to create easy to use video assistants.  Bernadette says she’s excited for where women are going in the tech world, but says there are still a lot of challenges for female founders. Ea...

Run it like a girl with Bernadette Butler, CEO and Co-Founder of StoryTap

Bernadette Butler is the CEO and Co-Founder of StoryTap, a tech firm that works with companies to increase their brand engagement by giving their customers a voice and the ability to share it through personalized videos. With offices in Vancouver and Toronto, Bernadette says StoryTap also works with clients to create easy to use video assistants.  Bernadette says she’s excited for where women are going in the tech world, but says there are still a lot of challenges for female founders. Ea...

Run it like a girl with Christie Marchese, Founder and CEO of Kinema

Christie Marchese, who grew up in Southern California, worked in a movie theatre through high school. She was planning on enrolling in filmmaking at college, but decided to pursue International Relations following the attacks of 9/11. That love of film remained and after college Christie started working with a well-known TV producer on a non-profit film on registering voters. Christie’s path next took her to a company called Participant Media, where she worked on documentaries such as Food ...

Run it like a girl with Christie Marchese, Founder and CEO of Kinema, Season 4, Episode 10

Christie Marchese, who grew up in Southern California, worked in a movie theatre through high school. She was planning on enrolling in filmmaking at college, but decided to pursue International Relations following the attacks of 9/11. That love of film remained and after college Christie started working with a well-known TV producer on a non-profit film on registering voters. Christie’s path next took her to a company called Participant Media, where she worked on documentaries such as Food ...

Run it like a girl with Joanna Johnson, teacher and TikTok Influencer, Season 4, Episode 9

Joanna Johnson is a high school teacher by day, and a social media influencer by night, with nearly 900,000 followers on TikTok, where her videos have been viewed millions of times.  Joanna, who goes by Unlearn16 on TikTok has become a social justice warrior dealing with hate, prejudice and inequality with well articulated sarcasm and wit.  Joanna says her favourite thing to do is change someone’s view. On this episode of Run It Like a Girl, Joanna Johnson talks about education and says yo...

Run it like a girl with Joanna Johnson, teacher and TikTok Influencer

Joanna Johnson is a high school teacher by day, and a social media influencer by night, with nearly 900,000 followers on TikTok, where her videos have been viewed millions of times.  Joanna, who goes by Unlearn16 on TikTok has become a social justice warrior dealing with hate, prejudice and inequality with well articulated sarcasm and wit.  Joanna says her favourite thing to do is change someone’s view. On this episode of Run It Like a Girl, Joanna Johnson talks about education and says yo...

Run it like a girl with Jen Rice, Wellness Coach

A split second decision shortly before her 50th birthday changed Jen Rice’s life forever. She sold everything she owned in the United States and bought a one-way ticket to Europe with the assumption she was going to land a consulting project in Geneva. When the project fell through, Jen found herself jobless and homeless in Europe. Jen still remembers the moment she finally gave herself permission to just stop and forget about life for a while. In this episode Jen talks about resilience, st...

Run it like a girl with Jen Rice, Wellness Coach, Season 4, Episode 8

A split second decision shortly before her 50th birthday changed Jen Rice’s life forever. She sold everything she owned in the United States and bought a one-way ticket to Europe with the assumption she was going to land a consulting project in Geneva. When the project fell through, Jen found herself jobless and homeless in Europe. Jen still remembers the moment she finally gave herself permission to just stop and forget about life for a while. In this episode Jen talks about resilience, st...

Run It Like a Girl with Jenn T. Grace, publisher, author, entrepreneur, Season 4, Episode 7

Jenn T Grace is the founder of Publish Your Purpose Press and an author of several books. Her company is a  hybrid book publisher that focuses on non-fiction and memoirs.  Jenn didn't have all the answers when she started her publishing company, but she followed the just do it mentality as she knew this was her calling. In this episode Jenn talks about the lack of diversity in the American publishing industry, but she sees hope in the fact that people are starting to demand that most voice...

Run it like a girl with Elizabeth Bachman, Owner, Strategic Speaking for Results, Season 4, Episode 5

Elizabeth Bachman, and her Strategic Speaking for Results program, trains business professionals on how to get results through speaking. Elizabeth wasn’t always a trainer, and spent 30 years in the international opera world, 11 of those operating a summer opera company in the Austrian Alps. On this episode of Run It Like a Girl, Elizabeth Bachman talks about the importance of knowing your audience, and how women who are new to management can lead effectively.  Elizabeth also talks about the...

Run it like a girl with Elizabeth Bachman, Owner, Strategic Speaking for Results, Season 4, Episode 6

Elizabeth Bachman, and her Strategic Speaking for Results program, trains business professionals on how to get results through speaking. Elizabeth wasn’t always a trainer, and spent 30 years in the international opera world, 11 of those operating a summer opera company in the Austrian Alps. On this episode of Run It Like a Girl, Elizabeth Bachman talks about the importance of knowing your audience, and how women who are new to management can lead effectively.  Elizabeth also talks about the...

Run It Like a Girl with Jeanette Brown, founder of Excellence & Presence Communications, Season 4, Episode 5

Jeanette Brown is the founder of Excellence and Presence Communications, a public relations firm whose clients have included companies such as Pepsi, Reebok, NASCAR, Audi, and the U.S. Open. Jeanette, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, was originally studying to become a nurse until she switched her major to early childhood education. At the same time, at the age of 20 Jeanette landed her first job at a PR agency where she was pitching to the media a U.S. Open Tennis camp for girls. On t...

Run It Like a Girl with Shareen Luze, Head of Culture and field Experience, RBC Wealth Management, Season 4, Episode 4

Shareen Luze is the Head of Culture and Field Experience with RBC Wealth Management. An employment attorney by trade, she joined RBC’s law group 15 years ago, shifting into human resources a couple of years after that. And when, a decade later, Shareen was approached by an executive about heading up the human relations portfolio, she had a surprising response.. -no way-. After some encouragement from others, Shareen did indeed apply and get the job as head of human relations, .and most rec...

Run It Like a Girl with Shareen Luze, Head of Culture and Field Experience, RBC Wealth Management, Season 4, Episode 4

Shareen Luze is the Head of Culture and Field Experience with RBC Wealth Management. An employment attorney by trade, she joined RBC’s law group 15 years ago, shifting into human resources a couple of years after that. And when, a decade later, Shareen was approached by an executive about heading up the human relations portfolio, she had a surprising response.. -no way-. After some encouragement from others, Shareen did indeed apply and get the job as head of human relations, .and most rec...

Run it like a girl with LaTonya Wilkins, author, speaker and coach, Season 4, Episode 3

LaTonya Wilkins is an author, speaker and the founder of The Change Coaches, an organization that works with corporate leaders and their teams to create cultures of belonging in their workplaces. On this episode of Run It Like a Girl, LaTonya talks about her book, Leading Below the Surface, and she outlines the three biases of the workplaces, including confirmation bias. LaTonya also talks to us about the effects of the pandemic on the workplace.  And she disspells some false narratives, i...

Run It Like a Girl with Gemma Castle, CFO of Cult Wines, Season 4, Episode 2

Gemma Castle is the Chief Financial Officer for Cult Wines a global company that provides market-leading fine wine investment and collection management services.  Gemma always thought she would become a sports journalist, but after university she had two job offers: 1. With a large accounting firm 2. A national newspaper. She took the job with the firm, and began her career as an accountant.  As her career advanced she found that as a woman she wasn’t always taken seriously. In this episod...

Run It Like a Girl with Heather Odendaal, CEO and Co-Founder of WNorth, Season 4, Episode 1

Heather Odendaal is the CEO and Co-Founder of WNorth, an organization that connects and offers development opportunities for mid-management  women with an upward career trajectory.  Heather started WNorth in 2015 after unsuccessfully seeking out a conference where she could network with like minded women. Heather says WNorth’s membership grew enormously during the pandemic as women sought a community more than ever.  On this episode of Run It Like a Girl, Heather talks about flexible work m...

Run it Like a Girl with Vanessa Iarocci, CEO McCarthy Uniforms (Recorded June 30: Vanessa has since achieved a successful exit of the company) Season 3, Episode 11

Please note: Recorded June 30: Vanessa has since achieved a successful exit of the company Vanessa Iarocci is the CEO of McCarthy Uniforms, a company that employs over 300 people, with another 200 seasonal youth staff; working out of 12 locations in southern Ontario.  The 65-year-old company had become insolvent a decade after the founders sold it off, so they bought it back.  A lot of work was needed to restore McCarthy Uniforms to its former glory, and that’s where Vanessa came in. On t...

Vanessa Iarocci, CEO McCarthy Uniforms (Recorded June 30: Vanessa has since achieved a successful exit of the company) Season 3, Episode 11

Please note: Recorded June 30: Vanessa has since achieved a successful exit of the company Vanessa Iarocci is the CEO of McCarthy Uniforms, a company that employs over 300 people, with another 200 seasonal youth staff; working out of 12 locations in southern Ontario.  The 65-year-old company had become insolvent a decade after the founders sold it off, so they bought it back.  A lot of work was needed to restore McCarthy Uniforms to its former glory, and that’s where Vanessa came in. On t...

Run it like a girl with Rachel Hill, CMO, Influencer, Blogger, Season 3, Episode 10

Rachel Hill landed a great job out of university and by her mid 20s was making 6 figures.  From the outside she had a full life, but inside she was miserable and diagnosed with anxiety.  At the age of 27 she retired from corporate America and decided to travel before settling down. While oversees she started a blog to keep family and friends up to date with her adventures. Rachel was one of the only Black American women travelling alone and backpacking. In 2014 her blog blew up. She was sh...

Run it like a girl with Deena Baikowitz, Founder of Fireball Network, Season 3, Episode 9

Deena Baikowitz is the founder and Chief Networking Officer of Fireball Network, which helps clients access business and career opportunities. Originally from Montreal, Deena calls New York City home, although she’s currently stuck in Toronto due to the Covid lockdown. Deena is all about networking, and has some practical advice for people looking to build their own network, and she tell us about why diversity is so important within her own networks. Deena is also a comedian, a passion th...

Run it like a girl with Deena Baikowitz, Founder of Fireball Network

Deena Baikowitz is the founder and Chief Networking Officer of Fireball Network, which helps clients access business and career opportunities. Originally from Montreal, Deena calls New York City home, although she’s currently stuck in Toronto due to the Covid lockdown. Deena is all about networking, and has some practical advice for people looking to build their own network, and she tell us about why diversity is so important within her own networks. Deena is also a comedian, a passion th...

Run it like a girl with Tetyana Dudnyk, director of technology, PMO, CIBC, Season 3, Episode 8

Whether it’s because of  layoffs, redundancy, or personal choice, many people are starting over in their careers. Now imagine starting over, thousands of miles from home,  in a new country, and a new language.  Tetyana Dudnyk was a business woman from Ukraine, when she stepped off of an airplane in Canada 20 years ago. Tetyana talks about building her career and the importance of having a continuous learner mindset.  She also talks about how women tend to undervalue their skills, and are oft...

Run it like a girl with Renee Brinkerhoff, owner of Valkyrie Racing, Season 3, episode 7

Renee Brinkerhoff is a rally race car driver, something she took up in her mid 50s. Believe it or not, she knew nothing about being a race car driver, and had no real desire to be one, but followed a 30 year urge  and now owns her own team - Valkyrie Racing.  In this episode Renee talks about racing around the world, and Project 356 which aims to raise awareness and funds to combat child trafficking.  Renee’s 1956 Porsche 356A - hence the name of Project 356 - has been to all but one contin...

Run it like a girl with Ainka Jess, founder of She's4Sports

Ainka Jess is one of the top 100 most powerful women in Canada according to Women’s Executive Network.   WXN, a powerful network of professional women in Canada, awarded Ainka the prestigious title in their Arts, Sports, and Entertainment category. Ainka, who was a season #1 guest here on Run It Like a Girl, formed an organization called She’s4Sports after hearing about the negative experiences of some female sports fans, and seeing a lack of diversity in sport media coverage.  She’s4Sports...

Run it like a girl with Ainka Jess, founder of She's4Sports, Season 3, Episode 6

Ainka Jess is one of the top 100 most powerful women in Canada according to Women’s Executive Network.   WXN, a powerful network of professional women in Canada, awarded Ainka the prestigious title in their Arts, Sports, and Entertainment category. Ainka, who was a season #1 guest here on Run It Like a Girl, formed an organization called She’s4Sports after hearing about the negative experiences of some female sports fans, and seeing a lack of diversity in sport media coverage.  She’s4Sports...

Run it like a girl with Jill Andrew, Member of Ontario Provincial Parliament

Jill Andrew is the Member of Provincial Parliament for Toronto St. Paul's, a riding she has held for the NDP since 2018.  She's the first woman, and the first non Liberal to represent the riding since its creation in 1999.  When asked to run for the riding Jill had doubts about whether she would be able to do it, but in the end it was her interest in issues such as education and healthcare, as well as the support from friends, family and other elected officials that lead her to say yes.  J...

Run it like a girl with Jill Andrew, Member of Ontario Provincial Parliament, Season 3, Episode 5

Jill Andrew is the Member of Provincial Parliament for Toronto St. Paul's, a riding she has held for the NDP since 2018.  She's the first woman, and the first non Liberal to represent the riding since its creation in 1999.  When asked to run for the riding Jill had doubts about whether she would be able to do it, but in the end it was her interest in issues such as education and healthcare, as well as the support from friends, family and other elected officials that lead her to say yes.  J...

Run it like a girl with Angela Lilly, Triathlete: Season 3, Episode 4

Angela Lilly is an amateur elite triathlete - competing in a grueling sport that involves swimming, running and cycling. She’s also competed in 7 Ironman events over the course of a decade, achieving 7th in her age group and a ranking of the 12th overall amateur woman at the Ironman World Championships in 2007. Angela says she’s had her share of setback, something that is part of the journey for every athlete.   Angela, who is a high school teacher by day, has a husband and two children, k...

Run it like a girl with Stephanie Mitton and Myrrhanda Novak, Podcasters

Stephanie Mitton and Myrrhanda Novak run a podcast called Women Don’t Do That.  They have conversations with ‘women change-makers and risk-takers.' The podcast was formed, on-the-spot, when Stephanie, who lives in Ottawa, flew to Winnipeg to visit her long-time friend, after an unsuccessful attempt at entering federal politics. The goal of ‘Women Don’t Do That’ is to have continued meaningful and authentic conversations. Myrrhanda, who has experienced the loss of a young child, talks abou...

Run it like a girl with Stephanie Mitton and Myrrhanda Novak, Podcasters, Season 3, Episode 3

Stephanie Mitton and Myrrhanda Novak run a podcast called Women Don’t Do That.  They have conversations with ‘women change-makers and risk-takers.' The podcast was formed, on-the-spot, when Stephanie, who lives in Ottawa, flew to Winnipeg to visit her long-time friend, after an unsuccessful attempt at entering federal politics. The goal of ‘Women Don’t Do That’ is to have continued meaningful and authentic conversations. Myrrhanda, who has experienced the loss of a young child, talks abou...

Run it like a girl with Rachel Weeks, Systems Test Engineer at United Launch Alliance, Season 3, Episode 2

When she was in high school, Rachel Weeks enjoyed English literature, particularly writing.  But she also liked math and science. It was her English teacher who suggested a career like engineering, where she could do both. With a degree in Aerospace Engineering and part way through a masters, Rachel now works as a systems test engineer with United Launch Alliance and she uses a lot of math and science, and she writes a lot  of procedures and steps. Rachel, who grew up in Orlando, remembers...

Run it like a girl with Rachel Weeks, Systems Test Engineer at United Launch Alliance

When she was in high school, Rachel Weeks enjoyed English literature, particularly writing.  But she also liked math and science. It was her English teacher who suggested a career like engineering, where she could do both. With a degree in Aerospace Engineering and part way through a masters, Rachel now works as a systems test engineer with United Launch Alliance and she uses a lot of math and science, and she writes a lot  of procedures and steps. Rachel, who grew up in Orlando, remembers...

Run it like a girl with Samantha Bailey, Author: Season 3, Episode 1

Welcome to season 3! On this episode Bonnie talks with Samantha Bailey, #1 bestselling  author of WOMAN ON THE EDGE.  Samantha's  literary success did not come overnight and the journey was not without its share of rejection and disappointment. In this episode we talk about what it takes to be an author, the importance of being resilient and finding like minded people to help inspire you along the way. On this episode Samantha explains her inspiration for WOMAN ON THE EDGE and the moment t...

Run it like a girl with Miriam Micael, Engineer with the Canadian Space Agency, Season 2, Episode 20

There’s no two doubts about it; Miriam Micael has a cool job. She’s a project management engineer with the Canadian Space Agency. Miriam has worked on several projects since joining the CSA three years ago, including working as a risk coordinator with Canada’s 1.2-billion dollar RADARSAT Constellation Mission, which launched last June. On this episode of Run It Like a Girl, Miriam talks about a new initiative at the Space Agency, the Junior Astronaut initiative where activities revolve aro...

Run it like a girl with Heather Geluk, Adventurer, Season 2, Episode 19

Following some deep soul searching, and the breakdown of a relationship, Heather Guluk made an impulsive decision to climb a mountain in the Himalayas, despite knowing very little about mountain climbing. Heather says she was challenged both physically and mentally, but, after three gruelling weeks, arrived at the summit.  And that’s where a 10-year career of climbing some of the highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest. There have been some unexpected set-backs over her climbin...

Run it like a girl with Nasheen Liu, Partner & SVP of CIO Program Strategy, IT Media Group, Season 2, Episode 18

Even a quick glance Nasheen Liu's bio, would tell you that she never backs down from a challenge. At 19, she left her native China to study at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. Not only was she living on her own for the very first time in her life, Nasheen had to learn a whole new language. What lay ahead was a move to Canada, where Nasheen was offered a spot in a Germanic Languages Masters Program at the University of Alberta.  The only catch - she had to pass an English as a Second...

Run it like a girl with Misty Shearer, Veteran, Black Belt, Owner Brazil 021, Season 2, Episode 17

At the age of 30, Misty Shearer re-joined the Canadian Forces; this time as a combat engineer. Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Misty was an experienced member of the forces, having spent years as a Military Police Officer before her year-long departure. Misty has won lots of medals, in Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu and Kettlebell competitions, but she says her proudest accomplishment - the first female from the regular ranks to become a combat diver. After leaving the Forces for the second time,...

Run it like a girl with Erin Bury, entrepreneur, Season 2, Episode 16

Growing up in the Quinte Region of southern Ontario, Erin Bury didn’t really even know what it meant to be an entrepreneur. Erin is now the CEO of Wilful, an online estate planning start-up, based out of Toronto. She was previously Managing Director at a communication firm serving tech. companies and start-ups, and she was a founding editor at a startup publication. Erin says being willing to take risks is a must in order to be a successful entrepreneur, still, she remembers calling her mom...

Run it like a girl with Dr. Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament, Season 2, Episode 15

Run it like a girl with Megan Hanacek, reality TV contestant, forester, biologist, Season 2, Episode 14

Run it like a girl with Mitzie Hunter, Member of Provincial Parliament, Season 2, Episode 13

Mitzie Hunter would like to be the next premier of the province of Ontario.  And she may well get that chance.  Mitzie is a Liberal member of provincial parliament, representing a Toronto area riding.  She's also one of six candidates vying for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party, which culminates with the party convention in March. Mitzie served in cabinet posts within the government of then-premier, Kathleen Wynne, which included, in 2016, becoming the first person of colour to ho...

Run it like a girl with Joanna Chiu, Senior Journalist, The Toronto Star, Season 2, Episode 12

Joanna Chiu is a senior journalist for the Toronto Star based out of Vancouver......and says there is very little diversity in the leadership of Canadian newsroom, with most decision-makers being white men. Joanna kicked off her reporting career with a newspaper in Hong Kong, before heading into mainland China and working for a couple of major publications from Beijing, where it was important to exercise caution. Now back in Canada and working for the Toronto Star, Joanna believes Canadian...

Run it like a girl with Sarah Ditmars

Sarah Ditmars has combined two of her passions into a career that continues to evolve. Her first love was sports.  Sarah says she played every sport growing up, and recalls when her parents, fed up with her incessant use of the recycling bins as targets, broke down and bought her a basketball net. Sarah’s other love was science, a passion that would direct her down the road of athletic therapy...as part of her kinesiology studies at Brock University in St. Catherines, Ontario. Following gr...