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 this episode, Heather welcomes Marion Fyshe, Vice President of Business Development at McNish Steel, a family-owned rebar fabrication shop in Edmonton, to discuss her decision to join the family business and the factors that contribute to its success. Marion shares her path from studying philosophy at McGill with plans for law school to joining McNish Steel in 2013, emphasizing that remaining in a family enterprise requires an intentional and ongoing choice. She reflects on the importance of managing family and professional dynamics through purposeful communication, including the value of regular family therapy. She highlights the long-term perspective needed to sustain a multigenerational business. The conversation also explores how a relationship-driven approach to business development fuels growth, alongside insights into McNish Steel’s core values and commitment to innovation, while reinforcing Marion’s practical advice to focus on getting things done and building trust along the way. To learn more about McNish Steel visit their website.

Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them. In episode 91, Heather is joined by Elisha Meek, Author, Entrepreneur and Corporate Professional, to discuss how identity, purpose, and intentional time management can help women recognize and escape burnout. Together, Heather and Elisha explore the pressures high-performing women face, the importance of aligning fulfillment with achievement, and practical ways to create space for passion outside the corporate world.Elisha shares her personal journey from corporate burnout to rediscovering joy through entrepreneurship, reflecting on how a single defining moment pushed her to rethink her identity and pursue meaningful work beyond her corporate role. Heather and Elisha also discuss the societal and self-imposed expectations that often prevent women from prioritizing themselves, and how Elisha’s three-pillar framework—brains, body and soul—helps women build healthier habits, set boundaries, and reconnect with what truly matters. The conversation highlights the value of self-awareness, accountability, and viewing your career as a foundation rather than your entire identity, encouraging listeners to pursue purpose-driven activities that foster long-term fulfillment. To learn more about Elisha’s coaching work and her upcoming book on helping women escape burnout, visit elishameek.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 89, Heather is joined by Laura Furtado, Head of Business Development at Cadence Financial Group with Raymond James, and Founder and President of Her Wealth Society. Laura shares her journey from building one of Toronto’s largest women’s entrepreneurial communities to founding Her Wealth Society, a non-profit dedicated to improving women’s financial literacy and confidence. She discusses the importance of early financial education, mentorship, and creating safe spaces where women can openly talk about money. Laura also highlights the success of Her Wealth’s first summit and shares how Her Wealth Society brings together nonprofits, industry leaders, and women of all generations to bridge gaps in financial understanding and empower women to lead with confidence in every stage of life. To learn more about Her Wealth Society, visit https://www.herwealthsummit.com/hws/5896846 

Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them. In episode 87, Heather is joined by Gail Stepanik-Keber, Chief Catalyst, Strategic Marketing and Alliances at the University Hospital Foundation. Gail shares her journey from two decades in financial services to governance, entrepreneurship, and now healthcare philanthropy. She explains why systems thinking is a hidden superpower for women leaders, and how the Foundation, whose purpose is to continuously seek, inspire and lead bold solutions to seemingly insurmountable challenges and ignite new discoveries in health is using its IGNITE 2030 strategy to tackle “wicked problems” like dementia and cardiac care. Gail also highlights the power of partnerships and storytelling to drive real-world health outcomes and inspire the next generation of leaders. To learn more about the University Hospital Foundation, visit https://www.givetouhf.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 85, Heather is joined by Jennifer Griffin Schaeffer, Co-founder and Board Chair of Onlea, a Canadian company dedicated to removing barriers to knowledge through innovative online learning experiences. Jennifer shares her journey from launching one of the first digital media startups in New York in the 1990s, to leading Onlea’s growth as a hub for interactive, learner-focused education.

Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them. In episode 83, Heather is joined by Jacqueline Jacek, Founder and Coconista of JACEK Chocolate Couture. Jacqueline shares her journey from working a corporate job to launching a fashion-inspired chocolate company that started in her basement. She reflects on the early challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of team and branding, and how she balances creativity with business growth. Together, Heather and Jacqueline dive into the science and artistry of chocolate-making, managing seasonality and the impact of global supply chain disruptions. Jacqueline also previews two big upcoming projects: the co-launch of a new product line called MYCAO—made from mushrooms and cacao, and the opening of a new retail location. To learn more about JACEK Chocolate Couture, visit https://www.jacekchocolate.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 81, Heather is joined by Judyanna Yu, Managing Partner of One Six 8 Ventures, a global venture capital (VC) fund with partners in the United States, Singapore and Shanghai. Judyanna discusses how the fund was built in response to a gap in Canada's VC landscape, particularly in health care, and how the team is working to fund and scale early-stage medical device companies. She also speaks to their commitment to investor education, including demystifying VC terms, timelines and industry challenges, while helping others identify high-potential opportunities in the health care space. To learn more about One Six 8 Ventures, visit https://onesix8ventures.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 79, Jana Boyko, Author and CEO of Bedside Business Plan, shares her journey from corporate life to purpose-driven entrepreneurship, and how she now helps women embrace the path to business ownership with confidence and clarity. Jana discusses how she transformed a traditional business plan into a guided journal, making entrepreneurship feel less intimidating and more accessible, especially for those just starting out. Heather and Jana discuss the importance of mental health in navigating an entrepreneurial journey. To learn more about Bedside Business Plan, visit https://www.bedsidebusinessplan.com/employee-to-entrepreneur.