In 2017 we had the privilege of interviewing twenty extraordinary Girl Warriors who are making a profound and lasting impact on the people in their lives, the communities where they live and work, and most importantly, on other women both near and far.
From our first interview with Comedian, Broadcaster and Writer Jo Dworshak to our final interview for 2017 with Fashion Stylist Janine Metcalfe we knew that the compelling stories of these twenty women would inspire, motivate, challenge, excite, encourage, and above all else, light a fire in the bellies of our Girl Warrior Tribe.
True to our promise and collective mantra, we featured strong, passionate, brave and bold women of all ages, from different backgrounds, walks of life and fields of endeavor.
The interviews were intimate, very personal and gave you an in-depth and close-up look into their lives, careers, passions, their struggles and triumphs. They shared their secrets to success, the roadblocks and obstacles they had to overcome, their dreams for the future, and ultimately inspired us to be better women living our best lives.
They brought it all to the interviews. Each and every Girl Warrior was brave enough to answer the big tough questions, with open honesty and fierce candor, knowing that by doing so they would be moving the conversation in the direction it needed to go. Women empowering other women. It doesn’t get much better than that.
So today we look back on the Girl Warriors of 2017 and raise our fists high and put our hands together in celebration of the exceptional and remarkable lives of these women:
The multi-talented Fashion Stylist Janine Metcalfe, one of the most sought-after and busiest in Canada working with major fashion publications, like Flair, Quebec Elle, Toronto Life, Images Vancouver Magazine, Western Living, and the Globe & Mail.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/janine-metcalfe-fashion-stylist-followed-dreams/
Hair Stylist Danielle Bennett and Makeup Artist Melanie Baird, the inspiring dynamic duo behind the Feel Good Campaign, helping women battling illness to “feel good” by pampering them with makeup, hair and photos.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/melanie-baird-danielle-bennett-beautiful-feel-good-campaign/
Artistic Director and Founder of Spotlight Academy, Jacqui Kaese, who has forged a foundation of opportunity for actors in a global industry.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/jacqui-kaese-lights-camera-action/
Award winning artist, Lori Waters who combines her love of science and art to create medical and scientific educational animations and illustrations.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/lori-waters-activist-loves-art-science-chickens/
The Chairman, CEO and founder of World Tree, Wendy Burton, who has been tenaciously growing and enthusiastically telling the story of the Empress Splendor trees for over 22 years.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/wendy-burton-mission-share-empress-splendor-tree-world/
Body Talk Practitioner and Sacred Warrioress, Petra MacDougall, a devoted mother, wife and intuitive ambassador helping women connect with the healing power of love.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/petra-macdougall-sacred-warrioress-power-love/
The Director of Solution Delivery at Resolute Technology Solutions in Winnipeg, Trish Bishop, an innovator and proven leader of high-performance, multi-disciplinary teams
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/trish-bishop-leader-breaking-new-ground/
Award winning author, international speaker and sought after consultant, Monique Gray Smith, a mixed heritage woman of Cree, Lakota, and Scottish descent and the proud Mom of thirteen-year old twins.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/monique-gray-smith-resilient-storyteller-walks-beat-drum/
Naturopathic Physician Dr. Maria Boorman, who has been practicing Naturopathic Medicine in her hometown of Victoria since 1999.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/dr-maria-boorman-look-inside-naturopathic-physicians-toolbox/
Business owner, international fitness trainer, international fitness magazine cover model and writer, Kyla Gagnon, creator and face of the successful body weight home-training system BODYRIPPED, as well as voted Victoria’s Best of the City for trainers and businesses.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/interview-girl-warrior-kyla-gagnon/
Dedicated Health Sciences student and passionate, caring volunteer Sheetal Dhir is setting a positive example for youth so they can make a difference within their communities.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/interview-girl-warrior-sheetal-dhir/
Author, coach and motivational speaker, Wendy Foster, founder and CEO (Chief Empowerment Officer) of GEM Consulting and the face of transformation for Women’s Mental Health.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/interview-girl-warrior-wendy-foster/
Award winning accredited Master photographer, Frances Litman, a passionate crusader for the environment, an international speaker, community connector, and founder and managing director of the Creatively United for the Planet Society.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/interview-girl-warrior-frances-litman/
Competitive swimmer, Christin Petelski, who followed her passions and tenaciously pursued her dreams to become a two-time Olympian.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/interview-girl-warrior-christin-petelski/
Powerhouse jazz-soul singer Emily Braden, the big, bad beauty from Boise, and winner of New York City’s prestigious “Best of the Best” Jazzmobile Vocal Competition.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/interview-girl-warrior-emily-braden/
Entrepreneur extraordinaire, Kristy Clark, a deeply compassionate woman of courage and creativity with three successful businesses, Jackalope’s Neighbourhood Dive, Long Live Cats and Dogs, and Black Rider Tattoo.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/interview-girl-warrior-kristy-clark/
Mobile makeup artist Melanie Baird, a woman of character and the quintessential example of what true beauty has been bringing her unique style to over 1000 weddings, and to popular television shows, including Canadian Idol, Canada’s Next Great Chef, and Kool Countdown.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/interview-girl-warrior-melanie-baird/
The wise and wonderful Karen Cooper, entrepreneur, artist, yoga teacher, spiritual guide, and courageous risk-taker.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/interview-girl-warrior-karen-cooper/
A true Renaissance woman, Gina Hole brings more than 30 years of experience in the photography, film, video and commercials industries as the founder and Producer of THEY Produce in Vancouver Canada.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/interview-girl-warrior-gina-hole/
The extraordinary and inspiring Jo Dworschak, comedian, broadcaster, writer and best known for her hit game show Story Story Lie and co-hosting of the LGBT show Fruit Salad on Coop Radio.
https://girlwarriorproductions.com/interview-with-girl-warrior-jo-dworschak/
There’s no age limit to being a Girl Warrior. She doesn’t look a particular way. She comes in all ages, sizes, shapes and colors. She’s out there. And inside every girl who enters the world. She’s the face of hope at the bottom of Pandora’s Box. She is not afraid of her fierce magical powers.
