International Women’s Day is tomorrow, March 8^th, and it is a day of celebration and advocacy for women’s rights and equality around the world! Companies are celebrating International Women’s Day in a variety of creative ways to get involved and showcase the achievements of their female team members. Here are some ways you can get involved and show your support for #IWD2022:

• Get your staff involved in the #Breakthebias photo challenge for social media – Visit IWD website for more information
• Host or encourage your staff to attend online panel events
  • Click here for a list of a panels available
• Run a meeting to honour your female employees
• Do not underestimate the value of a simple thank-you. This is the perfect time to recognise the women in your team/organization for their hard work and dedication
• Download IWD Zoom backgrounds for virtual meetings. Visit the IWD website to download.
• The long-term view: Review your internal D&I strategy
  • While these activities shine the light on the importance of uplifting women, what is most crucial is advocating a change in mindset. Salopek & Associates can help develop a long-term strategy for DEI and ensure your moving in the right direction.

At Salopek & Associates we are proud to be a female owned and operated company with our fearless President & Founder, Janet Salopek leading the reins. However, we would not be where we are today without the amazing Women on our team that support our foundation and keep driving us forward to new heights. See below some of the Women behind Salopek as we celebrate their accomplishments.

Janet Salopek : President & Founder

Interesting Facts:

• I was born and raised in the Ottawa Valley – on a “Century” farm that is still in the family
• As a teenager I worked as a “Tree Planter” for a summer job – almost broke my back but I learned the importance of hard work and perseverance – I earned enough money to pay for my university tuition.

Biggest Personal Achievement

• Ran the Boston Marathon at age 55 finishing 29^th in my age division

Biggest Professional Achievement

• Achieved my vision of building a Consulting Business across Canada with the support of family and Associates which is now in its 16^th year of operation.

Kate Ashton: Director of Consulting Services

Interesting Facts:

• I am first generation Canadian, with my parents immigrating to Canada from Britain in the 1960’s.
• I lived in the Cayman Islands for a year when I was 23.
• While there, the island was hit by a category 4 hurricane (Michelle) and I got to meet Dr. Phil and Jessica Simpson (not at the same time. Lol). ?

Biggest Personal Achievement:

• Saving up to purchase my first home by the time I was 24

Biggest Professional Achievement:

• Leading the HR strategy for a company of over 700 employees through the majority of the pandemic, which included over 4 rounds each of temporary layoffs and recalls while implementing company-wide improvements for Payroll & HR process efficiencies and also preparing for the sale of the organization at the same time.

Ashley Whelan: HR Coordinator 

Interesting Facts

• My favourite vacation to date was to Southeast Asia
• I can ski double black diamond runs ?

 Biggest Personal Achievement: 

• Buying a house

Biggest Professional Achievement:

• Passing the National Knowledge Exam for my CPHR Designation

Vanessa Salopek: Business Associate

Interesting Facts

• Has a class 6 motorcycle license
• Plays the drums
• Has a wolf hybrid dog
• Traveled solo throughout Europe when I was 25 and sailed a yacht around the Croatian islands with 10 strangers.

Biggest Personal Achievement:

• Named Top 10 Game Changers in Calgary 2015 by Branded Magazine and was honoured with representing Alberta in the 2015 Top 10 Canadian Young Entrepreneurship Awards by BDC.

Biggest Professional Achievement:

• At the age of 24, I was one of the youngest Boston Pizza franchisee owners to date. A year later at the age of 25, I opened my very own independent restaurant on 17^th Avenue called MARKET, which went on to win multiple awards including Top 50 Best Restaurants in Canada, Top 3 Best New Restaurants in Calgary, White Hat Award for Best Restaurant in Calgary, and named the Number 1 Best Restaurant in Alberta from Lonely Planet.

Laurie Johnson: Senior Specialist 

Interesting facts:

• I was born and raised on a mixed grain farm near Esterhazy, Saskatchewan; the fifth of seven children
• Creating my own dance company (tap, ballet, and jazz) at the age of 13 and delivering a full dance recital

Biggest Personal Achievement

• Reinventing myself at age 50 by completing the graduate certificate in Executive Coaching at Royal Roads University and attaining my certified executive coach (CEC) designation. This provided me with the courage to become an entrepreneur.

Biggest Professional Achievement

• Speaking at three Conference Board of Canada conferences and the National Credit Union conference to share my experiences and learnings in building a coaching culture within an organization