Women in Leadership and Entrepreneurship

Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them. In episode 78, Heather is joined by Erin Davis, Founder and Lead Inclusion Strategist of Erin Davis Co., a consulting practice that supports organizations in advancing their equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) efforts. Erin shares her personal mission to increase representation in leadership and help build workplaces that better reflect the diversity of our communities. Together, Heather and Erin discuss how early-stage companies can embed inclusion into their foundations, how Canadian policy shapes EDI efforts and why inclusive leadership is key to driving innovation and long-term impact. To learn more about Erin Davis Co. visit https://www.erindavisco.ca/.

Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them. In episode 77, Heather speaks with Michelle Brick, Founder and CEO of Eleve Business Solutions Inc. Drawing on 15 years of experience at a growing oil and gas company, Michelle shares how she now helps entrepreneurs avoid costly mistakes by implementing tailored business systems and processes. As the business landscape continues to evolve rapidly, Michelle highlights the importance of adaptable strategies and bringing big-company thinking to smaller operations. To learn more about Eleve Business Solutions Inc., visit https://elevesolutions.ca.

Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them. In episode 76, Heather is joined by Jennifer Keith, Co-Founder of EPIC Market. Jennifer delves into her transition from a career in human resources to co-founding a community-focused food hall that equips local chefs to open restaurants with less risk and greater impact. Jennifer discusses how entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for innovation and operational creativity, especially in the food and hospitality space. She reflects on lessons learned, the importance of entrepreneurial networks and how she and her co-founder are designing spaces that blend food and entertainment to foster connection. To learn more about EPIC Market, visit https://www.epicmarket.ca.

Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them. In episode 75, Lauren Epstein, Venture Partner at Storytime Capital and Senior Advisor and Vice President at Epstein Enterprises, shares her journey from law to venture capital and her passion for working with early-stage startups. Lauren dives into what to look for in founders, why storytelling is a critical skill for scaling companies and how venture capital fuels innovation. She shares insights into her investment philosophy and how founders can turn bold ideas into thriving companies. To learn more about Storytime Capital, please visit https://www.storytime.capital/.

Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them. In episode 74, Jennifer Gruber, Interim CEO of Communitech, shares her leadership journey and the role startups play in reshaping Canada's economy. Based in Kitchener—one of the country’s top tech hubs—Jennifer explains how Communitech helps entrepreneurs grow by fostering a supportive environment, connecting founders with essential resources and promoting Canadian IP and talent. Jennifer also shares her vision for building a more connected, thriving tech community for the future. To learn more about Communitech, please visit http://www.communitech.ca/.

Disclaimer: Since the recording of this episode in January 2025, Jennifer Gruber has resumed her role as CFO of Communitech as of April 2025.

Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them. In episode 73, Heather speaks with Kirsten Koppang Telford, CEO of The Forum—a national charity that has supported over 18,000 women entrepreneurs across Canada since 2002. Together, they discuss how The Forum is removing barriers to economic well-being for women in business, the power of peer networks in overcoming isolation, and its mission to support women entrepreneurs. To learn more about The Forum, please visit www.theforum.ca.

Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them. In episode 72, Heather sits down with Whitney Shaw, Chair of TEC Canada, an organization that helps executives and entrepreneurs grow through mentorship and coaching. Whitney reflects on her unconventional journey, illustrating how curiosity guided her toward a career in business operations and change management.

In this episode, Heather and Whitney discuss the impact of coaching, the value of self-awareness in leadership, and the benefits of strong peer networks for entrepreneurs. Additionally, Whitney shares insights on fostering environments where people can thrive and how leaders can empower teams to overcome challenges. To learn more about TEC Canada, please visit https://tec-canada.com/.

Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them. In episode 71, Heather is joined by Kiren Singh, Co-Founder of Haskalife, a Canadian company specializing in products crafted from the haskap berry, a superfood native to northern boreal regions. Kiren shares her inspiring journey from a successful corporate career in the energy sector to founding a thriving entrepreneurial venture.

Together, Heather and Kiren discuss the rewards and challenges of entrepreneurship, particularly the journey of educating consumers about the lesser-known haskap berry. With a strong support network and a growing ecosystem of programs for entrepreneurs, Kiren emphasizes how collaboration is key to success in any industry. Looking ahead, Kiren shares exciting plans for the future, including clinical studies and expanding Haskalife's product offerings. To learn more about Haskalife and to connect with Kiren, please visit https://haskalife.ca/.

Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them. In episode 70, Tanya Grace, a Certified Financial Planner at IG Wealth Management, shares her insights on the power of financial clarity, the importance of expert guidance in navigating complex decisions and how building a strong financial foundation enables individuals and organizations to grow with confidence.

In this episode, Heather and Tanya discuss what makes a great leader, including showing up with compassion, fostering innovation, and creating space for meaningful conversations that drive success. Tanya also shares her vision for greater accessibility for women in finance and leadership, advocating for open doors and new opportunities for the next generation to thrive. To learn more about IG Wealth Management and to connect with Tanya, please visit https://www.ig.ca/en/advisor/tanya_grace.