In this episode of The She Means Business podcast, co-hosts Gail and Ilana engage in a candid conversation about Ilana's career journey, from her beginnings in teaching to her current role as Senior Vice President at Canadian Tire. They discuss pivotal moments in her career, the lessons learned from her experiences at Target, and the importance of mentorship and leadership. Ilana shares her insights on hiring practices, the significance of curiosity, and the value of building strong teams. Th...

Lisa Gibson, founder of Ignite Communications, discusses the importance of personal branding and how to build an authentic personal brand. She emphasizes the need for self-awareness and strategic thinking in defining one's personal brand. Lisa suggests conducting a self-assessment by asking friends and family for their perceptions and conducting a Google search to see what information is available about oneself. She recommends identifying three to four brand pillars that align with one's valu...

Jessica Snow, a strategy and operations executive, shares her unique career path and her latest venture, Be Uninterrupted, which supports professional women navigating life interruptions. She emphasizes the importance of a portfolio career and taking control of one's own destiny. Jessica discusses the challenges and opportunities of navigating different industries and roles, and offers advice for women looking to make career changes. She also highlights the need for women to acknowledge and n...

Morgan Ferris, Vice President of Merchandising for Entertainment at Walmart Canada, shares her career journey and insights on building a successful career in retail. She emphasizes the importance of being open to different opportunities and taking on stretch assignments to develop a broad skill set. Morgan also highlights the value of networking and maintaining relationships with peers and mentors. She encourages individuals to have confidence in their abilities and to put themselves out ther...

Megan Anderson, Global Client Director at Microsoft, shares her insights on balancing work and motherhood. Megan shares her experience of being hired while pregnant and the significance of a supportive company culture. She advises women to prioritize and be deliberate in crafting their home and work lives. In this conversation, Megan and Ilana discuss the challenges and choices faced by working mothers. Gail, Ilana and Megan explore the societal pressures and expectations placed on women, the...

Megan Anderson, Global Client Director at Microsoft, shares her insights on navigating career transitions. She emphasizes the importance of saying yes to opportunities and surrounding yourself with great people. Megan also highlights the value of transferable skills and problem-solving abilities in different roles. She discusses the roadblocks she has faced and the importance of learning from failure. TakeawaysSay yes to opportunities and figure it out later.Surround yourself with great peopl...

Jennifer Ho, Vice President of Product & Design at OLG, shares her journey in the digital field and her experience as a woman in a male-dominated industry. She emphasizes the importance of fostering personal growth, cultivating talent, and solving customer and business problems in digital transformations. She also reflects on her experience as a visible minority and the impact of relationships and constructive feedback on her career. Jen, Gail and Ilana touch on the importance of addressi...

Kelly Olsen, Chief Operating Officer at Arcana, shares her career journey and experiences in luxury retail, consulting, and the cannabis industry. She discusses her involvement with Lean In Canada and the impact it had on her career. Kelly emphasizes the importance of clear personal priorities, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and knowing when to balance extracurricular activities with work. She advises younger professionals to stay curious and be aware of opportunities within their own organ...

Olivia Petrou, founder and CEO of Olive & Fig, shares her journey of leaving her corporate job to start her luxury charcuterie and food experience brand. Growing up in a Greek household, Olivia was surrounded by food and gatherings, which inspired her love for creating beautiful and abundant charcuterie boards. She went through a difficult breakup before finding herself and starting Olive & Fig. With the support of her now husband George, Olivia built a successful business that offers...

She Means Business is a podcast for aspiring leaders looking ​for inspiration, motivation and mentorship in the business ​world, co-hosted by Gail Banack and Ilana Santone.This podcast features women Founders, CEOs, trailblazers ​and innovators who are leading their teams and business with ​passion and conviction.Join us for real stories, meaningful conversations and ​actionable takeaways.Tune in every week for new episodes with Gail, Ilana and ​special guests.Contact The She Means Business P...