SUMMIT SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS
October 16 - 17, 2025 - Rossland, British Columbia
More speakers being added. Stay tuned for full line-up!
Special Guest
Colleen Jones
Colleen Jones has proudly called Trail home for most of her life. With over 30 years in a provincial government management role, she built a career in labour relations, negotiating on behalf of government employees and fostering collaboration across all levels. After serving four years as a City Councillor, she is now ready to lead as Mayor, bringing a thoughtful, people-first approach to city leadership.
Known for her deep community involvement, Colleen has volunteered with countless local organizations and proudly supports the Kootenay Robusters, a dragon boat team that raises awareness for breast cancer. Her hands-on work with nonprofits has given her a strong understanding of Trail’s needs, and she believes in including residents and community groups in shaping the city’s future.
Colleen is passionate about making Trail a vibrant, inclusive place where everyone can thrive. She is focused on improving access to affordable housing and childcare, stimulating economic growth, and encouraging active, connected lifestyles. For Colleen, leadership is about listening, showing up, and building a city that reflects the heart of its people.
Mayor, City of Trail
event host
Erika Krest
Erika Krest is a long-time Kootenay resident and local entrepreneur. Fluent in two languages, she operated a reflexology clinic for over 20 years and now co-manages a successful short-term rental property with her husband of 26 years. Since becoming Executive Director of the Trail and District Chamber of Commerce in 2019, Erika has led transformative growth—expanding membership by 140% and elevating the Chamber to become a sought-after economic development partner in the region and beyond.
As the regional voice for business advocacy, Erika’s greatest strength lies in her ability to connect with and engage the local business community. With a keen eye for opportunity and a passion for innovation, she has spearheaded initiatives such as the Kootenay Teen Chef Club, the Chamber’s Tourism Initiative, and the newly launched Kootenay Women Summit.
Executive Director, Trail & District Chamber of Commerce
KEYNOTE SpeAKER
Lynn Hiscoe
CEO & Founder, emPoweredlives & Kootenay Women in Business
Lynn is the CEO and Founder of Empoweredlives and Kootenay Women. She published the first edition of Kootenay Women Magazine last fall.
Lynn has an extensive background in understanding mental health and the workplace. She has been a national manager for more than 20 years serving professionals and organizations in psychological, social, and emotional well-being and workplace conditions, cultures, and policies.
Beyond the workplace, Lynn is also a psychotherapist with a private practice specializing in women and emotional health. She is registered with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and the College of Social Workers and the Canadian Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists.
SpEAKERS
Ona Stanton
Business Owner, Business Reach Marketing & Social Media
Ona Stanton is a Digital Accountability Coach and Social Media Strategist who founded her digital agency, Business Reach Marketing & Social Media in Rossland in 2018.
With a focus on helping entrepreneurs show up with greater confidence and clarity online, Ona serves as a guide, partner, and confidence magnifier, empowering individuals around the globe to grow communities rooted in connection. Through visibility accelerator coaching, content 'cafes', and virtual events, she provides a platform for learning and engagement, helping her clients elevate their marketing efforts and maximize their impact and income. When she is not helping her clients shine online, Ona enjoys cheering on her three kids at their various activities, enjoying the Kootenay life, and volunteering in her community.
Amanda Goodman Lee
Business Owner, Honey Bee Zen Apiaries Ltd.
Amanda Goodman is the co-owner of Honey Bee Zen Apiaries and Swan Valley Honey in the Creston Valley together with her husband, Jeff Lee. She is a Master Beekeeper and worked as a beekeeping technician for the University of B.C. on several research projects. She is a former advertising executive with PostMedia and is also a member of Women Leading The Way.
Currently, Amanda is the Chair of the Food Action Coalition that takes care of the Farmer’s Market and Harvest Share for food recovery and is a Trustee of the Boone Hodgson Wilkinson Trust Fund that supports education regarding honeybees and to support apiculture research. Most recently Amanda is also the President of the East Kootenay Beekeeping Club. In the summer if you don’t see her at the farmer’s market you will find her out in the field with her bees.
Elaine Klemmensen
Business Owner, Evolve Leadership Coaching and Consulting
Elaine Klemmensen, founder of Evolve Leadership Coaching and Consulting, is a Certified Executive coach and visual facilitator on a mission to help people engage in conversations that matter.
As a veterinarian, she brings a diverse background of experience, from rural mixed animal practice, companion animal practice and one health work in remote communities to not only understand people, but also the power of connection and community to move from surviving to thriving.
Elaine uses a combination of coaching, storytelling and visual tools, to make group process visible, memorable and actionable. When not learning something new, she is most likely in a tent, on a bicycle or paddling a kayak somewhere in the world with her husband and little dog Eddie.
Joëlle Bradford
Naturopathic Physician
Dr. Joëlle Bradford is a Canadian trained naturopathic physician. She graduated from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver with a Bachelor of Science, specializing in clinical nutrition, followed by a pre-medical clinical internship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Quito, Ecuador. Joëlle graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine at the New Westminster campus.
Joëlle lived in Hong Kong from 2012 where she practised at the Integrated Medicine Institute, treating patients from around the world, and across the life cycle for acute and chronic conditions; identifying and addressing the root cause of health concerns. She offers a unique combination of botanical medicine, clinical nutrition and lifestyle counselling in her treatments. She is also trained in Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and is adept at identifying and addressing the underlying emotional component of illnesses, stress and mood issues.
In 2022, Joëlle relocated back to Canada, and is now in Rossland, British Columbia. She is excited to have joined The Natural Path Clinic and looks forward to assisting her patients with compassionate understanding on their healing journey.
Maria Kruchen
Kootenay Women Summit Sponsor, Senior Manager of Wealth, Kootenay Savings Credit Union
Maria Kruchen is the Senior Manager of Wealth , Subsidiary of Kootenay Savings Credit Union, where she has built a remarkable 35-year career dedicated to helping individuals achieve financial success without sacrificing the life they love. Starting in an entry-level role, Maria advanced through a variety of positions, earning her Certified Financial Planning designation while raising two children and working full time.
A passionate advocate for work-life balance, she pioneered job-sharing at her organization to ensure parents could thrive both at home and at work. Outside of her career, Maria devoted countless volunteer hours to local minor sports teams and school activities, embracing the same values of commitment and connection that define her professional life.
Today, she continues to share her expertise in personal financial management and education, empowering others to make confident financial decisions — all while cherishing her role as a proud mother and grandmother.
PANELISTS
Fern Sabo
CEO & Founder, Spring Creative Inc.
Fern Sabo is the founder and CEO of Spring Creative Inc., a forward-thinking marketing agency that offers business strategy, creative solutions, and promotional services to clients across the Kootenay region.
She started Spring Creative Inc. to provide creative, strategic, and technology-driven services to businesses & organizations that lead our communities and shape our world for the better. As a business owner herself, she knows how to listen to clients, identify their needs, and then develop strategies to help them succeed.
She is passionate about supporting women in business and sees the technology sector today as a vehicle for positive change in the world.
Eva Hernandez
Operations Manager, West Kootenay Boundary Community Investment Co-Op
Eva Hernandez is a dynamic business owner and community leader based in Castlegar, BC. As co-owner of Bill’s Heavy Duty, she has played a pivotal role in the growth of the company since 2017, including its move to a 30,000-square-foot facility in 2018. She also co-owns Hillside Auto Centre, a recent development.
Deeply committed to local impact, Eva is the founder of the Bill Arishenkoff Trades Scholarship, which supports students from eleven local high schools. The scholarship is funded through community events like the Kootenay Big Rig Show, which Eva and her team organize and host.
She serves as President-Elect of the Castlegar Sunrise Rotary Club and sits on the boards of the West Kootenay Boundary Community Investment Co-op and the Castlegar and District Economic Development Advisory Committee. She believes in the power of collaboration and service to create lasting community impact.
Maya Provençal
Councillor, City of Rossland
Maya is a community organizer, city councillor, and climate justice activist. She has worked with grassroots, student-led, and non-profit organizations on a variety of environmental issues including waste reduction, fossil fuel divestment, food security, renewable energy, youth empowerment, environmental education, electoral politics, and climate justice.
Over the years, Maya has been working with a local non-profit organization, Neighbours United, on piloting the world’s first deep canvass on climate and energy, a project that utilizes storytelling and deep listening to build support for government action on climate in industrial towns and rural communities across BC.
After running a successful campaign as a climate champion in BC’s 2022 municipal elections, Maya is now the City of Rossland’s youngest councillor. On the side, she is working towards a Master’s Degree in community development through the University of Victoria.
Christine Duguay
Founder, Open Possibilities Coaching and Consulting
An accomplished Leadership Development professional and Certified Coach, Christine brings over 20 years of experience helping organizations build strong leaders, high-performing teams, and engaged cultures. Her passion lies in making learning a powerful driver of individual and organizational success.
Specializing in leadership and team development, coaching, and facilitation, Christine partners with organizations to design and deliver strategic learning initiatives that develop leadership capability at all levels. She has worked across diverse sectors and functions, bringing a practical, people-centered approach that aligns learning with business outcomes.
With a degree in Adult Education and a deep understanding of how adults learn best, she creates immersive, experiential programs that equip leaders to navigate change, transition into new roles, and lead with confidence and clarity.
Whether delivering targeted leadership workshops, supporting cultural transformation, or coaching executives through growth and change, Christine is committed to delivering learning solutions that are meaningful, measurable, and lasting.
Rosanne Arcuri
Individual, Couples, and Family Therapist, Rosanne Arcuri Family Therapy
Rosanne was born and raised in Trail and recently returned after being away for over 20 years. During her time away, Rosanne completed a Master of Nursing and a Post-Graduate degree in Family Therapy through the University of Calgary.
Rosanne has over 30 years experience working with individuals, couples, and families. She is a member of both the British Columbia and Canadian Associations of Couples and Family Therapists. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #21527) through the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellor and a Trauma Therapist. You can find Rosanne at #11-835 Spokane Street.
Brier Albano
Associate Vice-President, Student Success at Selkirk College
A strategic leader, Brier has worked in the post-secondary sector since 2006. She has held positions focused on recruitment, admissions and student experience.
Brier’s career started as an admissions & recruitment officer at the University of Calgary and progressed into the team lead for recruitment, which then led to four years overseas as University of Calgary’s senior student service officer in Qatar. Upon her arrival back to Canada, she landed in Medicine Hat as the articulation & prior learning assessment advisor. She was promoted to assistant registrar with a focus on student engagement and then to associate registrar where she oversaw many aspects of the registrar’s office starting in 2015. Brier arrived in the role of Selkirk College registrar in August 2021.
Brier holds two undergraduate degrees from the University of Calgary and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Victoria.
Cara Umbrite
Dietitian and Nutrition Coach, Free Yourself Nutrition
Cara Umbrite is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator based in Castlegar, BC, with over a decade of experience helping individuals transform their relationships with food and improve their health outcomes. Through her practice, Free Yourself Nutrition, she empowers clients to break free from restrictive diets and embrace intuitive, joyful eating—without guilt or obsession.
Cara specializes in practical strategies for managing diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, guiding clients to feel confident eating foods they love while achieving their health goals. She offers flexible virtual coaching tailored to individual schedules, focusing on reducing stress, boosting energy, and fostering sustainable habits.
With warmth, empathy, and evidence-based guidance, Cara supports her clients every step of the way—whether it’s healing food relationships, improving chronic health conditions, or simply learning to nourish both body and mind. She’s on a mission to help people truly free themselves through mindful, empowered eating.
Terese Bowors
Cannabis Wellness Coach
Terese Bowors is an Oracle, Cannabis Educator, and Sacred Space Holder, guiding others into a curious, conscious, and intentional relationship with Cannabis. Her journey into this work was deeply personal. After years of navigating chronic illness and profound transformation, she discovered that Cannabis was more than just medicine—it was a gateway to healing, clarity, and Divine connection. Through intention, presence, and an evolving relationship with the plant, she reclaimed her well-being and embraced self-care as a sacred and radical act.
Now, Terese weaves science, spirituality, and direct Divine guidance into her offerings, providing Cannabis education, therapeutic coaching, and Sacred Ceremony for those seeking another way—one rooted in alignment and presence. Whether through one-on-one coaching, guided ceremony, or herbal smoking rituals, she creates spaces where plant medicine becomes a tool for healing and self-discovery.
She lives in a shared community home, and can often be found tending her Cannabis garden, making lace, or walking in the forest with her pup, Smoke.
Carrie Paxson
Founder, Accredentials & Content Techy Learning Academy
Carrie Paxson is a Creston-based creator and educator with 25+ years building digital learning and audio content. She is the Founder of Accredentials and the Content Techy Academy. She helps local women and entrepreneurs learn the technology so that they can turn their ideas into polished podcasts, online courses, and videos—with no technical experience needed.
Blending practical teaching with AI-powered tools, she makes content creation accessible, efficient, and engaging. Her own podcasts reached 30,000+ downloads in six months and continue to grow beyond 20,000 listens monthly.
Thea Hanson
Kootenay Women Summit Sponsor, Marketing Strategist, Real Estate Powerhouse & Community Leader, Thea Hanson Personal Real Estate Corporation
Thea Hanson is more than a top-ranked REALTOR®—she’s a mentor, marketer, and community builder who’s passionate about helping women grow in business and leadership. As the founder of Thea Hanson Personal Real Estate Corporation with RE/MAX All Pro Realty, she has built one of the most trusted brands in the West Kootenays and has been recognized among Canada’s Top 100 REALTORS® by RankMyAgent.
Beyond real estate, Thea serves as a Trail City Councillor and chairs key committees including the Trail Regional Airport and Downtown Major Development. She’s also a national mentor for new agents through RE/MAX Canada’s “Kickstart” and has spoken on the international stage at the R4 RE/MAX Convention.
At the Women’s Business Summit, Thea will share powerful insights on mentorship, marketing, and showing up with purpose. Her message: lead with authenticity, lift others, and don’t be afraid to take up space.
Erin Meggait
Physical Therapist & Business Owner, Movin’ Mountains Therapy Services
Erin Meggait is the owner of Infinity Physio Centre in Rossland and Movin’ Mountains Therapy Services in Trail. A natural leader, she manages a team of 20 while continuing to work part-time as a physical therapist.
Her vision is to create spaces that offer expert care in supportive, empowering environments. Infinity focuses on active recovery for adults, while Movin’ Mountains provides play-based therapies for children of all abilities.
Erin is also a busy mom of two and loves spending time outdoors—especially when it involves sports and adventure.
MOVEMENT AND BREATHWORK
Tess Rouse
Breathwork and Nervous System Facilitator, Tess Rouse Breathwork
Tess Rouse is a public speaker, podcast host, and the founder of SHIFT Breathwork—a science-based somatic method designed to help high-performers regulate their nervous systems, process stored stress, and create lasting change.
Formerly a corporate executive, Tess spent over a decade leading teams and driving results in fast-paced industries while privately managing the impacts of autoimmune disease. Her personal healing led her to explore the intersection of physiology, stress, and emotional repression. Today, she teaches evidence-informed breathwork techniques that support mental clarity, emotional resilience, and physical well-being. Tess is also the host of the Authentically Wild podcast, where she explores the science and strategy behind personal transformation.
Sophie Barbarics
Arist & COO, YolOne Art Group Inc.
Sophie Barbarics is a professional dancer, master dance teacher and creator with over twenty years of experience. She graduated with distinction from the Hungarian Dance University, earning her Master’s in Modern Dance Teaching after completing BA Dancer Summa Cum Laude in 2013. Her journey has taken her across Europe and Asia. She also collaborated with prestigious institutions like the Hungarian State Opera , Operetta Theatre, Batsheva Dance Company, Hungarian Dance University, Charles Bailey Theatre. She was the preferred choice of movement/dance coach of the Jolie-Pitt children for many years.
Sophie is the founder/owner of the dance company “Footnotes Dance Co.” for 10 the last years in Hungary.
Amrtha Yesudas
Performer & Founder, Snehaamrtham
Amrtha Mary Yesudas is a professional Indian classical and fusion dancer and performer based in Trail, BC. She is the founder of Snehaamrtham, a dance initiative that began in India and now continues to grow in Canada through performances, community workshops, and digital choreography.
Dance has been an essential part of her journey, and she specializes in blending traditional Indian styles with Bollywood and contemporary movement to create vibrant, expressive storytelling. She has also worked as an emcee and operated her own dance studio in India, where she had the joy of teaching and connecting with diverse audiences.
Now, through her YouTube channel and live shows, she aims to celebrate culture, movement, and joy—while building bridges across communities through the power of performance.
