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Leadership Team
Congratulations to our newest Board Members
(Elected at the August 31st 2009 AGM)
Mojgan Fay
Mojgan is passionate about mentorship and has worked as program creator, manager, mentor, and mentee in many mentorship programs in the Lower Mainland. She spearheaded the launch of Wired Woman's mentorship program and co-founded the Business Mentoring for the Arts Program in 2007, envisioning a supporting environment for mentees and mentors to network, gain insight, and pursue careers they are passionate about.
Communication technology has been the focus of Mojgan’s work and study and recently inspired her to further her education by studying Communications at Simon Fraser University. Mojgan also holds a BSc Honours from Queen’s University in Computer Science. After starting a software consulting business from university she now leads a team of 26 at TELUS Partner Solutions where she continues to use technology to improve call centre communications and create social inclusion. During her time at TELUS, Mojgan has delivered over $2.0M in tangible benefits realized annually through operational efficiencies.
A bit more about Mojgan:
Pair of shoes that best describes you: Any shoe with an asymmetrical assembly, off-set buckles or additionals, and the union of the funky and the classically chic
Dream job: Chocolatier and owner of a Cafe, serving modernized High Tea
If you had a $1000 shopping spree where would you shop: First a bookstore and second Gourmet Warehouse
Who has acted as your mentor: Many great mentors have inspired me and guided my career and personal development; they all demonstrated authentic leadership, passion, and innovative thinking
First job: Software Developer at my consulting company, FayDancy Consulting
Gadget/piece of technology you just can't live without: Blackberry
Favorite blog: My digital umbilical cord extends to many blogs and seems unimaginable to cut with Twitter
Dina Grskovich
She studied Information Technology and Management Systems at BCIT which landed her in consulting gigs across many industries. From forestry to fine art, fast growth entrepreneurial to well established multinationals, Dina’s consulting career has been long and diverse. It all lead her to start her own consulting business called DMG Business Strategy. Her entrepreneurial spirit and expertise in all fields of strategic HR Management make her a great addition to the Wired Woman team.
A bit more about Dina:
Pair of shoes that best describes you: I own 35 different pairs of shoes at any one time - if one pair could express it all I wouldn't need the other 34!
Dream job: Doing what I do in the international area. That's next!
If you had a $1000 shopping spree where would you shop: I've been designing clothes as a hobby for a few years now so my money would be spent on high end textiles from Italy or France.
Who has acted as your mentor: Although I haven't had a formal mentoring relationship, there are many people that have played a mentoring role for me throughout the years.
First job: Typing quotes/estimates for my Dad's construction company.
Gadget/piece of technology you just can't live without: I can live without all of them, (and have) but, I would miss my netbook the most.
Favorite blog: It's all about Twitter
Maureer McKinnon
Maureen is an accomplished and experienced entrepreneur with more than 25 years in the service industry – business consulting, recruitment, training, insurance and real estate. As the owner of a business consulting firm providing business and project consulting: strategic planning, sales and marketing, human resources and recruitment services to small and medium size business owners she has the hands on experience of working with business owners.
As an advocate for BC SME’s she participated in meetings with the Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development, BC Biotech, Power Technology Alliance, New Media, VEF and BCTIA in Vancouver and was an BC Entrepreneur participant to the China Access 2008 meeting held Sept 2005 in Beijing, China to increase global trade opportunities in Asia and introduced several companies who have successfully open operations in China.
Maureen holds a Master of Science in Management and a Master of Science in Financial Services from The American College, Philadelphia, PA.
Karen Olsson
With over 15 years experience in the technology sector, Karen sets herself
apart from other consultants because of her realistic, down-to-earth
approach to Human Resources. She is a specialist at developing and
implementing practical HR policies, procedures and systems for companies
experiencing significant growth and change. She also focuses her HR
practice in technical recruiting; matching the needs of her clients to
highly skilled individuals.
Karen has worked across a broad scope of sub-sectors within the technology industry. Her previous roles have included Technical HR Consultant & Trainer for the Open Learning Agency, Executive Director of the Wired Woman Society, Founder & Producer for Flourish Media and Career Counselor for the Federal Government. The combined experience of having been a leader, employer and consultant within the Technology sector gives Karen an in-depth understanding of how to successfully address the HR needs of technology-based companies.
Doneen Swart
A member of Wired Woman for over 10 years and volunteering with the society for the past three years, Doneen’s ‘wired’ involvement is in the area of ‘new media’. Currently she is the Director, BBN3 Development with SoMedia Networks. Her other work experiences include instructing a portfolio development class at BCIT’s New Media program and account management at a local graphic and web design agency. Prior to these experiences Doneen was freelancing – engaging in projects from web design to event coordination to managing the implementation of computer network systems.
Doneen’s professional interests focus on leadership, organization and people development. Her off hours are consumed with swimming, biking and running.
Board of Directors
Meet the Directors of your Wired Woman organization. They’re a diverse bunch of ladies who have volunteered to make this organization everything it already is, and have committed to making it even better. As well as a bio about them and their background, we asked a series of extremely scientific questions to give you a real feel for who these wired women are.
President and Director, Carol Parnell
Carol comes to our fair organization with an illustrious twenty year career in digital media. She’s continued that trend by co founding the company ecotype.ca, Inc. where she pairs her creative and business skills with a passion for sustainable resource management. Carol is an award winning writer and producer with a special interest in multi platform content – think online games/television/mobile. She has a rich skill set that includes concept development, script writing, and business development and analysis. She’s an active member of the New Media BC association and she’s no slouch on the Wired Woman board either.
Carol has been on the executive for years and has finally made it to the top! She will be sitting as the Wired Woman President this year, guiding and leading the entire Wired Woman crew. Let’s see how Carol fares with our extremely revealing questions:
Pair of shoes that best describes you: gold leather Gladiator inspired sandals – enough said
Dream job: Blogging – all day, every day
If you had a $1000 shopping spree where would you shop: Never one to go for the simple option, she’d hit the streets in Rome to blow this cash
Who has acted as your mentor: Couldn’t quite place a finger on just one person who’s inspired her, but in her many walks of life, I’m sure she’s acted as one a time or two
First job: Keeping in line with the creative bent that’s followed her throughout her career, she got her start as an assistant in a photography studio
Gadget/piece of technology you just can't live without: Wired Woman that she is, she’s not shackled by any one gadget in particular…teach us Carol!
Favorite blog: Mashable
Treasurer and Director, Vancouver, Marnie Larson
A Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA under her belt, it’s no wonder Marnie has enjoyed an incredibly successful career. Marnie has spent the last 12 years working her way up in the StarGarden Software organization, through a variety of management and consulting roles. Now settled in the position of Chief Operating Officer, Marnie is the type of woman that anyone starting in this sector can look up to, making her the perfect woman to sit in the chair of Mentorship Program Director for the Vancouver Chapter.
She’s been an invaluable member of the executive, holding the titles of VP Programs and Chapter President within her four year tenure. Let’s take a look at the Marnie Larson beyond the Wired Woman:
Pair of shoes that best describes you: Classic pump
Dream job: Highly paid personal shopper
If you had a $1000 shopping spree where would you shop: The outlets in the States would have this lady’s money spent in no time
Who has acted as your mentor: Lorraine is the person who holds this prestigious title for Marnie.
First job: she came from dad’s convenience store to where she is today.
Gadget/piece of technology you just can't live without: smartphone
Favorite blog: Not a compulsive blogger but has been known to check out highheelsblog.com (love shoes!)
President and Mentorship Director, Toronto, Yasmin Ranade
There’s over a decade of experience in marketing backing this wired woman’s contributions. She’s worked with tech and business giants like Compaq, Telus and Sprint Canada in a variety of senior management positions. She’s an award winning marketer and has lead management teams through many key business successes.
Yasmin’s track record on the executive is impressive. She’s coordinated some of the most lucrative fundraising campaigns to date, has held the position of President for the Toronto chapter for a few years, and now will take on the added role of Mentorship Director for the Toronto chapter. Whew, that's one full plate.
Once she has a minute to breathe, we'll bring you her answers to our director survey!
Secretary and Director, Val Mann
A demonstrated success in any role she takes on, Val went to the prestigious Queen’s University for Commerce and continued on to Law School after some time in the workforce. Now a partner at Lawson Lundell LLP, Val heads up the Business Services group. Always using her powers for good, not evil, Val’s practice runs the gamut acting for entrepreneurs and early-stage companies all the way through to public companies. With multiple and diverse clients within the tech sector, Val is the perfect addition to the Wired Woman team.
A triple threat sitting on the Wired Woman executive, Val is Wired Woman’s resident counsel, as well as holding titles of Secretary and Director. Let’s peel the onion one layer deeper and see the fourth side of Val:
Pair of shoes that best describes you: weekdays spell out conservative classic pumps while on the weekends, a pair of ski boots would be a better descriptor
Dream job: swapping spots with Indra Nooyi would be living the dream (for those not in the know, she’s the Chairwoman and CEO of food and beverage powerhouse, PepsiCo)
If you had a $1000 shopping spree where would you shop: Gourmet Warehouse (note to self: get an invite to Val’s for dinner)
Who has acted as your mentor: two careers means two pivotal mentors: her first boss in the “real world” at Quaker Oats when she was fresh out of business school, and a senior corporate partner at her current firm when she entered the field of law
First job: delivering newspapers
Gadget/piece of technology you just can't live without: the ever addictive, Blackberry
Favorite blog: Law Bytes, Prof. Michael Geist’s tech law blog
Chief Technology Officer and Director, Elaine Chan
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics, an MBA from the illustrious Ivey School of Business, and a guest lecturing gig to boot, to say that Elaine is an accomplished woman is a huge understatement. Currently Elaine is a Managing Consultant with ManageFlow Consulting, a position that is bolstered by her previous experience working with industry leaders, IBM. Her ability to forge positive relationships, her strong work ethics, and a sound business acumen has won the praise of her clients and colleagues, and her counterparts on the Executive.
Elaine is returning for her second term as the Chief Technology Officer with the Wired Woman organization. Lets dig a little bit deeper and discover the real Elaine:
Pair of shoes that best describes you: Classic pair of black slingbacks with a unique twist – like a funky buckle – this screams classic, yet sassy
Dream job: Pastry Chef or National Geographic Photographer
If you had a $1000 shopping spree where would you shop: Henrys, Soia & Kyo, Indigo, Harveys (Not the fast-food burger chain, but the maker of seatbelt purses!)
Who has acted as your mentor: Lucky enough to have worked or interacted with many unique mentors, those she’s happened upon have all exemplified the same characteristics: amazing listeners, extremely supportive and most importantly, they challenge me to take on new perspectives when evaluating an issue/problem
First job: cashier at a hot dog and back bacon stand at the Canadian National Exhibition.
Gadget/piece of technology you just can’t live without: iPod + Nike Sport Sensor
Favorite blog: TripAdvisor, AllRecipes.com
Marketing/Communications and Director, Judi Wannamaker
From pulp and paper to custom software, with a splash of the banking industry and a dotcom in between, it only makes sense that Judi is deciding to settle in for a ride in a company called 2Paths. She’s been on more than 3 paths in her career, and within this adventure has held a variety of positions from chemical engineer to dotcom team manager.
Considering she’s experienced just about everything in this industry (and more), she should be the authority on selling the organization to just about anyone right? Judi brings her breadth of perspectives and expertise to the Wired Woman team and occupies the Marketing and Communications chair. One more path revealed with a few choice questions:
Pair of shoes that best describes you: a favorite pair of red sandals with a white wedge heel - solid, sassy and feminine
Dream job: Scuba instructor in the Galapagos Islands
If you had a $1000 shopping spree where would you shop: Home Depot would be the proud recipient of this woman’s $1000 donation with home renovations ever present on her new “gently used” home
Who has acted as your mentor: Blessed as she is with a life full of experience, a few professional helpers along the way were some VPs who guided her transitions and career as a whole: Gordon Divitt from CertaPay and Heather Black from Scotiabank. Personally, she’s benefited from the pearls of wisdom supplied from her good friend Martine Marciano, and good ol’ mom and dad.
First job: add to the already interesting list, ride operator at Calaway Amusement Park
Gadget/piece of technology you just can't live without: hubby Willy provided the answer here by installing an electronic lock on their door
Favorite blog: no blog reader here
Director at Large, Jessica Scattolon
Like most members of the Executive, Jessica’s career has been as diverse as it gets. She has prior experience in many industries from telecom to resort development. She’s crossed the country, living and working in both Toronto and Vancouver and has held many senior management positions in areas like corporate affairs, strategic alliances and risk management. She’s now settled in Vancouver with her husband and their own development business.
An active member of the Executive for three years now, Jessica’s been a Director and served as the National Vice-President. She keeps these ambitious ladies on the straight and narrow, and offers overall support and guidance on the direction of the organization in her position of Director at Large. How did Jessica stack up on our little list of questions? Check her out:
Pair of shoes that best describes you: standing tall with at least a 3 inch heel, she’s best described as a black patent leather stiletto
Dream job: a fashionista in the rough, in her dreams she’d be sitting pretty as the Editor of Vogue magazine
If you had a $1000 shopping spree where would you shop: class, class, class – she’d use the cash to expand her art collection
Who has acted as your mentor: a gentleman by the name of Robert Fabes, currently counsel with Bennett Joes, has offered Jessica much needed advice and guidance so far
First job: another one who worked for dad selling bicycles in his bike shop
Gadget/piece of technology you just can't live without: another one who can’t live without her blackberry
Favorite blog: a little of this, a little of that, no real favorites
Leadership Team Support
Accountant, Evelyn Harrod
Evelyn comes to us with a long history of accounting in her background. Currently serving many different organizations in this capacity, Evelyn splits her time between a non profit agency that she works part time for, and home where she runs the books for a number of other organizations. Continuing the not for profit vibe from her professional life into the personal, Evelyn also sits on a number of boards for various interest organizations.
It’s Evelyn's first term with the Wired Woman organization and we’re looking forward to having her passion for not for profits and running the numbers on our team. Now that we know a little bit, let’s find out a little bit more:
Pair of shoes that best describes you: whatever is comfortable – she’d rather spend time smelling the roses than worrying about what’s on her feet
Dream job: keeping companies on the up and up, all from the comfort of her own home. She’s an accountant through and through and managing it from her own home would be her dream
If you had a $1000 shopping spree where would you shop: send her to Tall Girl Clothing or pretty much any shoe store and that money will be gone faster than you can say balance the books!
Who has acted as your mentor: While there hasn’t been any real standouts in her professional career, many have helped her along the way personally
First job: she learned the ropes at the Olde England Inne in Victoria
Gadget/piece of technology you just can't live without: keeping it simple, the TV and DVD player combo
Favorite blog: it’s quality over quantity with this bimonthly blog - Chosen People Ministries Canada
National Webmaster, Christina Talford
More to come for Christina’s bio.
Christina has played a pivotal role in getting this fabulous Wired Woman site up, running, and amazing. She’s continuing on in her role of webmaster for the organization and we’re ecstatic! Let’s see what Christina had to say when we sat her down for a completely serious interview:
Pair of shoes that best describes you: Funky pair of Doc Martens…now that makes a statement
Dream job: She’d rather be out on the open water than chained to a desk all day as a kayak instructor
If you had a $1000 shopping spree where would you shop: Simple and straight to the point – New York City baby
Who has acted as your mentor: no front runners just yet, but just give her time and I’m sure this list will grow
First job: Back behind the fryer at McD’s as a burger flipper
Gadget/piece of technology you just can't live without: Another one who can’t go anywhere without her Blackberry at her side
Favorite blog: ONair
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