Board Members, 2016-2018
Nancy Stapley, President
Nancy Stapley is an experienced finance professional with a passion for building community. The opportunity to foster connection and collaboration within the BPW community has drawn Nancy to this position. Her training as a Chartered Accountant led Nancy to start her own consulting business 10 years ago. Working with executive and finance teams she facilitates enabling solutions during periods of major growth and step change. Nancy has experience in the strategy, policy development, and risk and change management domains. She has served in both leadership and volunteer positions and loves to work as part of a team. Nancy’s BPW roles have included mentoring (both BPW Calgary and the University of Calgary Women’s Resource Centre) and VP Membership.
Vacant, First Vice President
Sophie Blais-Yalbir, Immediate Past President
As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Senior Financial Advisor, Sophie uses 20 years of experience in the financial services industry as a foundation for her work assisting WealthCo clients in finding solutions to their complex planning issues. As a CFP and a Certified Health Specialist (CHS), Sophie is able to look at all aspects of a client’s situation and create a customized plan to meet each need. Sophie is a member of Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada and is a licensed CFP through the Financial Planners Standards Council. Sophie has been a keynote speaker at the club and participated as a mentor in the mentorship program. She brings her experience and energy to inspire change through empowerment.
Sonia Suire, Vice President Membership
Sonia Suire is an experienced legal professional who has practiced law in Texas in the areas of litigation and labour and employment law before moving to Calgary in 2011. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and French Literature from Fordham University in New York City and attended Rutgers University School of Law. At BPW Calgary, Sonia has served as Resolutions Chairperson to champion the issue of Equal Pay. She has also been a co-presenter of the “You Are Worth It” module. Sonia is originally from Puerto Rico and is a native Spanish language speaker. Currently she is completing the Canadian law certification requirements for internationally trained lawyers.
Kathryn Smith, Vice President Communications
Kathryn Smith is an experienced marketing, communications and public relations professional. Originally from Ontario, Kathryn began her career with a small boutique agency before moving to Calgary in 2009. She has established herself as a marketing and communications leader in Calgary by managing the marketing and communication programs for multiple real estate investment companies. Kathryn is also an avid volunteer and currently volunteers as a Big Sister, organizing swimming, baking and craft days with her Little Sister. Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Contemporary Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University and a PostGraduate Certificate in Public Relations from Humber College.
Megan Brett, Treasurer
Megan has been with Catalyst since 2009 and is a part of the Assurance & Accounting group. Her client service focus includes accounting and assurance, tax compliance, and business consulting with specialized industry experience in Construction, Professional Corporations, including doctors and lawyers, and Not-for-Profit Organizations and PSAB. Megan is a member of the Catalyst Standards and Quality Control Committee and Training Committee.
Megan received her CA designation in 2013 through the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. In 2014, she participated in the Income Tax Practice Course. Megan is now enrolled in the Emerging Leaders Academy at Upstream Academy
Currently, Megan is Treasurer for Between Friends and the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Calgary. She also actively volunteers with Parkinson’s Alberta and Between Friends throughout the year. More recently, Megan became involved in CREW.
Kathryn Giordano, Secretary
Kathryn Giordano is BPW Calgary’s current Secretary. She has been leading sales as a “protegee owner” since 2011 at the Consignment Gallery, a spacious 18,000 square-foot home furnishing showroom in Calgary. Kathryn brings her meticulous organizational and leadership skills to BPW Calgary.
Yvonne Silver, Chair, Mentorship
Yvonne Silver has a passion for Business Harmony©: helping women flourish in business with more JOY and less burnout! Yvonne is currently leading BPW Calgary’s Wisdom Boost 2016 Mentorship Program, leveraging over 20 years of business success as an entrepreneur and corporate VP and her Executive Coaching expertise. She is a seasoned speaker at various conferences, tele-summits, radio shows and workshops on topics that inspire and support the growth of working women, enabling more joy, work-life balance, and quality family time. Professionally, Yvonne holds an Executive Coaching Certificate (ICF member) combined with a Certified HR Professional designation (HRIA), as well as completing Business Management (University of Calgary) and is a Certified Reiki Practitioner. Using her core values of creativity, intuition, inspiration and possibility, Yvonne enjoys supporting women leaders and entrepreneurs in particular, and especially social enterprise win-win thinking for profit with a purpose.