The She Means Business Podcast

In this episode of The She Means Business Podcast, Sarah Branfman shares her unique career journey from being a professional ballet dancer and journalist to becoming a successful sales leader in the tech industry. She discusses her experiences at MongoDB and Databricks, the challenges of navigating a male-dominated field, the importance of mentorship, and how she has learned to embrace her authenticity and trust herself throughout ...

In this episode of the She Means Business podcast, Andrea Jansen shares her journey from a successful marketing career to becoming a certified executive coach focused on empowering women in the construction industry. She discusses the challenges women face in leadership roles, the importance of transformational leadership, and the difference between mentorship and sponsorship. Andrea emphasizes the need for women to lean into spons...

In this episode of the She Means Business podcast, hosts Gail Banack and Ilana Santone welcome Adelle Archer, CEO and co-founder of Eterneva, a company that creates diamonds from the ashes of loved ones. Adelle shares her personal journey of founding Eterneva, inspired by the loss of her close friend. The conversation explores the challenges of acceptance in the end-of-life industry, the importance of co-founders, and the unique ex...

In this special Q&A episode of the She Means Business podcast, hosts Gail Banack and Ilana Santone tackle listener questions on navigating workplace challenges. They discuss executive presence, stepping into unfamiliar roles, and handling difficult colleagues, emphasizing perception, preparation, and adaptability. The conversation also explores strategies for dealing with undermining coworkers, managing work-life guilt, embraci...

In this episode of The She Means Business podcast, Glain Roberts-McCabe shares her unique career journey and the founding of The Roundtable, an organization dedicated to helping high potential leaders navigate the complexities of modern leadership. 

Glain emphasizes the importance of group coaching, assessments, and self-awareness in leadership development. She also provides valuable insights on career development, particularly for ...

In this episode of the She Means Business podcast, hosts Gail Banack and Ilana Santone welcome Fiona Stevenson, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of the Idea Suite, an innovation agency. Fiona shares her journey from studying psychology to founding her agency, emphasizing the importance of energy in business and innovation. She discusses how to maintain energy, build a culture of innovation, and the significance of vulnerability and authentici...

In this episode of the She Means Business podcast, hosts Gail Banack and Ilana Santone welcome Kate McKenna, a Canadian Screen Award-winning producer and broadcaster. Kate shares her winding career journey from aspiring teacher to media powerhouse, discussing her experiences in various roles, including her work on CTV's The Social. The conversation delves into the importance of authenticity in media, tangible tips for effectiv...

In this episode of the She Means Business podcast, Ilana and Gail welcome Monica Awe, a seasoned fashion and lifestyle creator. Monica shares her journey from luxury retail to becoming a successful blogger and influencer, discussing the challenges and rewards of her career. She offers insights into her daily routine, the importance of planning content, and how to balance work and life as a creator. Monica also provides valuable fas...

Kelly Pigeon, Vice President of E-commerce Platforms at Go TRG and founder of Epiphany, shares her entrepreneurial journey and the challenges she has faced. She discusses her previous ventures, including a clothing rental startup and a circular economy technology tool. She’s at it again, launching Epiphany, a company dedicated to empowering women's sexual pleasure. Kelly emphasizes the importance of resilience and learning fro...

In this episode of the She Means Business podcast, Micheline Davies, Chief Merchant at Canadian Tire Corp., shares her extensive career journey and insights on leadership, mentorship, and the importance of people in business. She discusses her experiences in creating the Women's Leadership Network, navigating career setbacks, and the significance of understanding personal values. Micheline emphasizes the need for women to be c...

In this episode of the She Means Business podcast, hosts Gail Banack and Ilana Santone interview Isabelle Landreville, a leading qualitative researcher and business owner of Sylvestre & Co. Isabelle shares her unique journey from her academic background to her extensive experience in qualitative research, emphasizing the importance of understanding the 'why' behind consumer behavior. She discusses her transition to bu...

In this episode of the She Means Business podcast, hosts Gail Banaks and Ilana Santone welcome Alexandra Horwood, a leading Chartered Investment Manager at Richardson Wealth. Alexandra shares her journey into financial services, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy, especially for women. She discusses common financial pitfalls, the significance of open communication in relationships regarding finances, and the unique ch...

Jenna Keane, a partner at RTR Media, shares her journey to becoming a business owner and her insights on authentic leadership. She emphasizes the importance of empathy, kindness, and being true to oneself in leadership. The conversation covers the themes of authenticity, leadership, and career advice. Jenna Keane shares insights on the importance of authenticity in leadership, the impact of positive attitude, and the balance betwee...

In this episode of the She Means Business podcast, Kristin Shane shares her extensive career journey, highlighting her experiences in retail, the challenges faced at Target Canada, and her entrepreneurial venture with Flyfeet Running. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, the value of teamwork, and how adversity can lead to growth. Kristin discusses her decision-making process when evaluating career opportunities and the sig...

In our last episode of season 1 and of the year, we are bringing back our first and one of our most loved and listened to episodes featuring Olivia Petrou, the founder and CEO of Olive & Fig.

Olivia 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...

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 explor...

Adeela Hussain Johnson shares her career journey, from starting in Finance to becoming the CEO and Founding Member of BÉIS Travel. She emphasizes the importance of taking risks, being open to change, and investing in personal and professional development. Adeela discusses her approach to leadership, which is rooted in empathy, transparency, and building trust. She highlights the significance of fostering a culture of radical candor...

In this episode of The She Means Business Podcast, co-hosts Ilana and Gail discuss Gail's dynamic career journey, from insights to merchandising, and the pivotal career transitions that shaped her path. Gail shares her passion for empowering women in business, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, self-belief, and women supporting one another. The conversation also addresses the challenges of imposter syndrome and undersco...

In this episode, Jillian Climie, co-founder of the Thoughtful Co., discusses her journey in executive compensation and her mission to empower women in negotiating their worth. She shares insights on the common fears women face during negotiations, the importance of framing their asks positively, and the nuances of negotiating for new versus existing roles. Jillian emphasizes the need for education around compensation structures and...