A TRIBUTE TO THE WOMEN LEADERS OF KAMLOOPS
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WOMEN OF THE THOMPSON VALLEY
ABOUT THE PUBLICATION
Welcome to Women of the Thompson Valley, a tribute to women leaders published annually by Kamloops This Week.
In these pages are profiles of women whose daily activities help propel Kamloops and the Thompson Valley forward. From entrepreneurs to business leaders to volunteers, the women in this publication epitomize the drive and focus needed to be constantly improving.
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said earlier this year about boosting the number of women in the workforce, after meeting with female business leaders on tours across Canada: “This is not just about doing the right thing, but understanding that women in leadership can be a very powerful leverage for success for business, for communities and for our entire economy.”
By showcasing and celebrating the inspirational women in the Thompson Valley, we hope to inspire others to avoid placing limits on their potential, the scope of their career and the opportunities their intelligence and skills would otherwise allow them to reach.
Please take some time to read through the profiles of the women within these pages. You will learn a lot about your neighbours — and we think you might just be inspired to reach new heights.
READ THE 2020/2021 E-EDITION!
Be sure to check out our complete print publications! The magazine versions of these pubications include extra interesting information, all the stories and articles you’ve come here to enjoy, and advertisments from our partners that help make this publication possible.
Previous EDITIONs
MEET THE WOMEN OF THE THOMPSON VALLEY
Read the below articles to learn more about the women we’ve intervied. Enjoy these snapshots into the lives and history of some of Kamloops’ most notable women within business, community, culture and more.
Franca Muraca
Franca Muraca has lived in Kamloops since the day she was born. After a fulfilling 26-year career as a teacher in the Kamloops school district, she decided she needed a change. After completing a Masters degree in law at night while teaching full-time during the...
Natalie L Hebert
I obtained my Associate’s Degree from the University College of the Cariboo (now known, of course, as Thompson Rivers University), followed by a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in English from Trinity Western University, and my law degree from the...
Natasha Schrader
Natasha was born in Kamloops and obtained her funeral director’s licence in 2003, having graduated from the Western School of Funeral Service. She is also a certified celebrant, able to assist families with creating personalized services for their loved ones....
Kirsten Carleton
Kirsten started in the food service industry 30 years ago when she was 14 doing dishes at Pizza Hut, before becoming a server. She has worked in many different restaurants and believes strongly in teamwork. Kirsten’s Hideout is a cosy, homey atmosphere that has a...
Tamra Jaeger
Tamra first became interested in photography 5 years ago when she got her first DSLR. For her, photography is about capturing the feelings and emotions in a moment. She is an avid hiker and light chaser and can be found on trails throughout Kamloops and British...
Kim Nobert
Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services began in Western Canada in 1992 as Personal Alternative Funeral Services, with the goal of providing consumers with a comfortable, affordable and common-sense alternative to the escalating costs found in many funeral...
Brandi Allen
Brandi Allen has been with the Centre for Seniors Information (CSI Kamloops) for ten years and the Executive Director since 2019. The pandemic brought a whole new world of challenges but Brandi says CSI Kamloops will come out the other side of this stronger than...
Linda Skelly
For the past six years, I have worked at Kamloops This Week as a print and digital marketing consultant. I have worked on many varied special publications and I can tell you, honestly, that the Women of the Thompson Valley publication is one of my very favourites....
Liz Spivey
Liz is one of the print/digital marketing consultants at KTW as well as being the General Manager of The Kamloops Connector. She grew up in Iceland where she attended both Icelandic school and American Military school. She also played soccer in a girls league for...
Linda Bolton
I have been privileged to be involved with Aberdeen Publishing business for 21 years. During that time I have been blessed to learn and work with many great and successful people. I have been a sales consultant, sales manager and publisher, and have also been...
Jodi Lawrence
I have always been in sales in one form or another and started advertising sales in 2011. It’s an intense world of deadlines but keeps me on my toes. I have met so many amazing people over the years and consider them friends. My nature is to help people and I get...
Bronwyn Lourens
Brownwyn is a Media Account Manager hailing originally from South Africa hoping to add a bit of African flair to Kamloops! With more than 20 years in the media industry, she started at the grassroots level as a sales administrator and worked her way up to be an...
READ THE STORIES
We’ve published a collection of various editorial pieces along with our individual profiles.
Be sure to check them out for some unique insight into the Kamloops business world!
Casimir and Tk’emlups council share a vision for the future
Tk’emlups te Secwépemc Chief Rosanne Casimir penned this column for KTW’s Progress magazine earlier this year. Since then, much in the world has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the vision of Tk’emlups for the next decade remains intact. We think this...
Turn your creative ideas into a business concept
If you’re like many creative types, you have a ton of ideas sprouting like seeds inside your head and new ones burst out on a daily basis. One of the first steps to creating a business is to get those ideas out of your head and down on paper. Writing ideas down...
Working together for resilience
Business partnerships can help when resources are stretched You can use a strategic alliance to address the “pinches” or gaps in your business, to offer new products/services or to find new business opportunities. Today, business owners are exploring many different...
Leading the chamber’s charge with enthusiasm
Acacia Pangilinan talks about communicating, learning from others and being brave when seeking a career Acacia Pangilinan has been executive director of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce since May 2019. She had been serving as interim executive director for four...
Tourism is in Kamloops CEO’s blood
Beverley DeSantis is immersed in the challenge the pandemic poses Since April 2016, Beverley DeSantis has been CEO of Tourism Kamloops, an organization in a sector among the hardest it during the COVID-19 pandemic. KTW sat down (virtually) with DeSantis to talk...
Get to know your customers: Why do they buy?
Understanding why and how people purchase is probably the most important step in the marketing process. Business owners often miss this critical step because they assume their customers think, act and buy the same way they do. You can better understand your target...
Advice from Harrison? Ask for a mentor
With more than 30 years of experience behind her, Anna Harrison knows a thing or two about being in the business world. And she has a piece of advice for anyone in that world. “Don’t do life or business alone,” she said. Harrison admits the quote didn’t originate...
Being too conservative can be dangerous
A Kamloops financial planner has written a chapter in a book called Financial Success for Women by Women. The book has 27 chapters penned by 27 women across Canada — including one from Vanessa Cullen, an investment planning consultant at Bradford Financial....
Excelling while expecting
Congratulations, you are pregnant. The next several months are certain to include many changes as you prepare for the arrival of your child. Whether you have been pregnant before or are about to become a mom for the first time, each experience is unique. While...