Michal's blog

Wavemaker: Alexandra Brown

Wavemakers is an initiative I've kickstarted with Femme-O-Nomics’ founder Leah Eichler (@Femmeonomics) that profiles female innovators — women who are constantly blazing new trails, inspiring others and revolutionizing the status quo.

This week, meet Alexandra Brown. She is the president of Aprilage Inc., creator of the APRIL® face aging software used globally in health education, science museums, law enforcement and in a number of consumer applications. She is a former television broadcast executive and also consults to the online media industry. You can follow her at @aprilfaceaging.

1. Describe your current state of mind.

Evolving.

2. If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?

A Motown singer like Gladys Knight – or even one of the Pips. I first heard “Midnight Train to Georgia” at an impressionable age, and it became my anthem. I still do full on karaoke every time I hear that song.

3. What is your greatest indulgence?

Adventure travel with a great guide, and family in tow, to spectacularly beautiful places off the tourist track. I’m not much of a “beach person.”

4. What or who helped you the most to achieve your success?

There have been a number of fantastic people along the way who have recognized something in me, and just said “Go, Do!” – either as a team leader or as part of a project team. I always knew they had my back, even if I had to figure a lot of stuff out along the way. They taught me to surround yourself with good people, then leap into something, and just do it. Interestingly, there have also been some not-so-fantastic work experiences from which I’ve also learned truly valuable lessons about how NOT to treat people. Learning from both the good and the bad experiences has been just as important to shaping my success.

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

My maternal grandfather, who had to quit school at 13 to support his family, was always embarrassed by his lack of formal education, but he needn’t have been. His “life education” was magnificent, and he understood people:

a. Treat everyone with respect – it doesn’t matter what their job is. They are a human being first.

b. Dress for the job you want.

c. There’s nothing more important than family.

Wavemakers: Sara R. Cohen

Wavemakers is an initiative I've kickstarted with Femme-O-Nomics’ founder Leah Eichler (@Femmeonomics) that profiles female innovators — women who are constantly blazing new trails, inspiring others and revolutionizing the status quo.

This week we meet Sara R. Cohen, a fertility lawyer based in Toronto but with clients throughout Canada and beyond.  She is an advocate for all people accessing assisted reproductive technologies. You can follow her@fertilitylaw.

1. Describe your current state of mind? Excited, inspired, and empowered.

2. If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? I’m feeling pretty fortunate to be me right now. However, I would like to come back as me but having already learned all the tough lessons and figuring out who I am and what it is that I would like to do with my life earlier. I do understand that life is a journey, but I regret time not well spent.

3. What is your greatest indulgence? Lattes and lunches out! The only way I can justify these is that I often enjoy both while networking. My other greatest indulgence is travel – and I wish I could indulge in that more often.

4. What or who helped you the most to achieve your success? I’m inspired daily by women working in careers where they are helping others, in various capacities. Dr. Elaine Herer (an OBGYN at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto) has been very influential in my life, likely without intending to be so. She never fails to impress me with her strength, compassion, knowledge and no BS attitude. Seeing such a strong, professional woman care so much about others inspired me to move into a career where I could help other people, too. 5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Do good work and love what you do - the rest will follow. A quote that I love is “who you are speaks so loudly I can’t hear what you are saying.” I am a genuine person and it’s perhaps the quality I am most proud of.

Wavemakers: Kasey Bayne

Wavemakers is an initiative I've kickstarted with Femme-O-Nomics’ founder Leah Eichler (@Femmeonomics) that profiles female innovators — women who are constantly blazing new trails, inspiring others and revolutionizing the status quo.

This week, meet Kasey Bayne, Accounting Ambassador atFreshBooks.Follow her on Twitter @kaseybayne

1. Describe your current state of mind
Excited/nervous – it’s the perfect combination, and one of my favourite feelings. Being excited and a little bit scared, that tells me I’m in a great spot, where I’m taking on new challenges and doing what I love. Excited without the nervous wouldn’t be the same, it wouldn’t have the growth and a bit of adrenaline rush with the unknown. It’s a good place to be.

2. If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? 
A musical theater pro, or a pop star! For that to happen, I’d have to come back with a decent singing voice, and some dance rhythm. Right now, I lack both of those, but it’s fun to play out the flip side on karaoke nights.

3. What is your greatest indulgence?
Well, if you promise not to tell anyone… I love bad reality TV. My PVR is set for The Bachelor” and “America’s Next Top Model”, and I’ll admit to even spending some time in online forums reading about who did what or what someone’s strategy might be. On a quiet night in, it’s a nice chance to turn off at the end of the day.

4. What or who helped you the most to achieve your success 
As cheesy as it sounds (I have no shame about a little cheese), but this is the truth: I couldn’t be who I am today without the support and advice of my Mom. An amazing role model, she is smart and encouraging, while challenging me to go beyond and take risks. This combination has allowed me to grow into who I am today, and pushes me to strive for even greater success in the future.

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received
One of my favourite pieces of advice that I carry around is from one of the most unlikely of sources. On a random evening, flipping channels, I landed on HGTV, and not more than a few minutes later did I hear the contractor host say – “well, that’s a problem. It’s a good thing every problem has a solution.” I like it because it’s not sage philosopher-type words of advice, it’s just the truth. When I feel stuck or overwhelmed, taking a minute to realize there’s a solution for everything, and I just need to find one that works for this problem – it’s inspiring on a really straightforward level, and the right push to keep going.

 

Wavemakers: Annette Borger

Wavemakers is an initiative I've kickstarted with Femme-O-Nomics’ founder Leah Eichler (@Femmeonomics) that profiles female innovators — women who are constantly blazing new trails, inspiring others and revolutionizing the status quo.

This week: Annette Borger, president of Integral Communications, which provides senior PR and strategic communications talent to companies that have great stories to tell.

1. Describe your current state of mind:
Optimistic, and a bit frenetic as exciting opportunities are popping up daily.  It’s a great ride!

2. If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? 
A bird — they sing nice — I can’t sing at all.

3. What is your greatest indulgence?
Shoes, and with Toms Shoes I can indulge and do good.

4. What or who helped you the most to achieve your success? 
I am fortunate to have support from my parents who believe and say I can do anything.  My late grandmother instilled the importance of public service and doing for others. My friends keep me grounded, and my husband and child keep me focused.
 

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Do a kind act each day. Enjoy your food. Many hands lighten the load.