Ambassadors

North America

Are you a ChangeMaker with a passion to Raise the Bar for women to succeed personally and professionally?

Become a UWN Ambassador.

The Universal Womens Network™ is a global platform committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (DEI) and to advancing women in business. We recognize the achievements of women through the Women of Inspiration™ Awards, amplify the voices of female entrepreneurs, and industry leaders through the UWomen Magazine, and Women of Inspiration Book along with allies who SupportHER™!

Our global network promotes the advancement of women personally and professionally. We connect thought leaders, business leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals from diverse industries and strategically partner with organizations committed to being visible champions and SupportHERs.

We are Stewards of Diversity™ and dedicated to the unity of humanity by acknowledging our differences, asking questions, and valuing voices at all levels. We do not tolerate bullying, hatred, or racism at any level.

UWN Ambassadors lead by example to raise the bar to advance women in business across North America and the globe. Our mission is to empower, inspire, and connect 1 billion women!

APPLY to become a UWN Ambassador.

Donna Dahl, B.Ed., M.Ed. | Chair, Selection Committee

Empowerment Coach | 2016 Women of Inspiration™ Lifetime Award

Donna Dahl, Master Empowerment Coach, and Author, was awarded Woman of Inspiration (WOI) for Lifetime Achievement in 2016. She currently serves as the Woman of Inspiration Awards Selection Committee Chair and is honoured to do so. She is considered a thought leader and a coach’s coach by her clients. Awards and recognition for her contributions continue on an international level. Recognition by one’s peers does matter. While most of her work is behind the scenes coaching writers to become authors and leaders to inspire others to lead, her passion drives her voice to make a difference through speaking engagements, editing, and writing. Donna’s next books are in the works. In her mind, her lifetime work is still in progress. Donna reports, “When I accepted the WOI award, that was my invitation to accept the challenge to continue my work but with more conviction than ever before.” In her book, Lessons I Learned from the Tortoise, she wrote, “Challengers inspire us to take giant steps long before we might ever become giants.”

Patricia Gagic

Patricia Karen Gagic Art Enterprise Inc. | 2020 Women of Inspiration™ Lifetime Achievement Award

Patricia is an award-winning, International Contemporary Artist, Author, Humanitarian/Activist/Speaker. President of the CYO at the age of 13, breaking the barriers for women in banking and staying steadfast in the male-dominated art world. Her passion to inspire people has been seen in her multiple award nominations and acceptance to bridge minorities and the less fortunate. Travel has been mystical and deeply important from climbing desert sand dunes, trekking across Nepal and Tibet, and driving thru the lavender fields of France. An entrepreneur who built a retirement home, managed medical practices, medical building projects, and support sustainable projects sponsoring a LEAD Canada cohort. She has prestigious recognition as the first female awarded the SNBA Gold Medal at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris in December 2018. She has been recognized with Excellence in the Arts for Courage and Commitment to Human Rights, Dignity, and Freedom by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association In 2013, Knighted as a Dame of the International Order of St. George Grand Prior of Canada, recognized by WXN (Women’s Executive Network) as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada inducted into the WXN Hall of Fame in 2018. and 2020 Women of Inspiration Lifetime Achievement Award. Patricia changed lives in Cambodia and Haiti.

Kyla Lee

Barrister And Solicitor, Acumen Law Corporation | 2019 Women of Inspiration™ Indigenous Leader

Kyla Lee is Metis. She is a partner at Acumen Law Corporation. Kyla routinely appears in all levels of court in BC, and has presented impaired driving and roadside prohibition cases at the SCC. She is known for her tireless advocacy, often succeeding in seemingly unwinnable cases. Kyla is passionate about legal education and awareness. Kyla writes regular opinion columns for Vancouver Is Awesome and Huffington Post. Kyla’s legal education activities also include her weekly podcast, Driving Law and her weekly video series, Cases That Should Have Gone to the Supreme Court of Canada, But Didn’t!

Siobhan Calderbak

Senior Director of Talent Management, LCBO | 2019 Women of Inspiration™ Diversity and Inclusiveness

Being a National Ambassador provides me the opportunity to connect with talented women, grow, share experiences, and inspire other women to develop their leadership. I am humbled to be recognized as a Women of Inspiration Award recipient for Diversity and Inclusiveness and will continue to empower other women to value differences and work together to create endless possibilities.

Siobhan is a keynote speaker, recognized Learning Leader, consultant, DEI Practitioner, and award-winning author. She has over 20 years of progressive experience in transforming businesses, leading change, and developing leaders. She has spoken internationally to diverse groups from over 70 countries at conferences, events, seminars, and planning sessions. Siobhan is the Founder of Butterfly Ladies - a Mentoring Program committed to helping develop the careers of women and youth, especially visible minorities. She has also been recognized as an Empowered Women 2021 and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient 2022 by IAOTP and is one of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women 2022. At LCBO, Siobhan is an experienced Senior Director of Talent Management and focuses on talent development, learning, change management, and diversity and inclusion.

Kara Alicia Kennish

Franchisee, Tim Hortons | 2021 Women of Inspiration™ Rural Leader Award

Everyday I wake up with the intention to be courageous, bold, compassionate, and fierce in my pursuit of excellence in my personal and professional life.
As a third generation Tim Hortons Franchisee, there are two things that help get me out of bed in the morning. The first; is my morning coffee and the second is finding ways to utilize my platform as a Tim's owner for the good of my community by advancing the conversation of equal opportunity and shine light on emerging needs in our community locally and internationally.

I am an ambassador for the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps leading our Annual fundraising efforts that affords children and youth from disadvantaged circumstances to experience a leadership development multi-year, camp-based program empowering them to change their stories for the better. In 2022, I have committed to climbing Mt. Everest Base Camp in support of the THFC fundraising efforts, and to prove to myself that the only limits that exist are the ones I set for myself. When I’m not trying to change the world, you can generally find me battling for control over the music playlist with my teenage daughter, hiking with our two great white fluffs (Great Pyrenees) or running on one of our gorgeous trails. With travel at a standstill, I’m finding solace at my favourite restaurants with a glass of wine and my book.

Sarah Hawco - CPA CA, CIRP, LLM, Q. Arb. CFE

Co-Founder, Hawco Peters and Associates Inc. | 2019 Women of Inspiration™ Nest Award | Selection Committee

As a National Ambassador, I feel that I am aligned with the vision of Universal Womens Network in that I want to create space for women to succeed and thrive. There is value in what women bring to the table and a need for them to feel supported and understood. If I can act as a mentor, peer, student to other women, sharing my knowledge and learning from theirs it creates a village of empowerment. Together we rise.

Sarah has an extraordinary wealth of legal and financial expertise that brings a 360-degree perspective to both dispute resolution and financial distress and restructuring. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant, a Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professional holds a Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School, is a Certified Fraud Examiner and is a Qualified Arbitrator. Prior to founding her own firm, Hawco Peters and Associates, Sarah spent 13 years practicing insolvency and turnaround management at national and international firms. She provides a wide range of consulting and business coaching, specializing in debt refinancing, due diligence, business reviews and viability assessments, restructuring, succession planning, and alternative dispute resolution. As an expert in her field, Sarah has published numerous papers, lectured at the University of Calgary Law School, and has presented across the country as a keynote speaker. Outside of her professional commitments, Sarah volunteers her time to teaching financial literacy at various schools and shelters, as well as sitting on a number of non-profit boards. Finally, and perhaps the most fun she has, Sarah is a group fitness instructor trying to spread the joy of movement and community.

2019 Women of Inspiration™ Nest Award

Rhonda Goldberg

Founder, Amanzi Inc & Oh! Naturals | 2019 Women of Inspiration™ Inspire Award

Over the years, she has pioneered many companies brands to market, one her companies she developed was a Fruit and vegetable snack company called Oh! Naturals! She saw the need for a healthy, vegan, and naturally healthy snack food in the Canadian market, and within 24 months Oh! Naturals flavoured banana chips and flavoured Sweet Potato fries can be found in major national and international retail locations across Canada.

A big believer in not having to reinvent the wheel, Rhonda emphasizes looking at existing markets and simply offering a better and unique solution. It comes down to serving as many people as possible in the best possible way. So, ultimately making a difference in people’s lives from both a business and customer perspective is what drives Rhonda forward.

Rhonda is always looking to work with the right people who are passionate about creating great products brands that will have a positive impact, and hopefully change the world for the better

Sara Raza -PhD, MSc

Selection Committee

Sarah Raza is a PhD student in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Alberta. She previously earned her MSc in Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge, where she studied the role of early experiences on brain development. Currently, Sarah is working on the Canadian Infant Sibling Study as part of her PhD research. Her research focuses on understanding the early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Driven by a passion for brain health research, Sarah hopes to support, empower, and improve the lives and future potential of children and their families through impactful research.

In addition to academia, Sarah has experience in stakeholder engagement, public policy and advocacy, and community outreach. She has served on several national trainee-led executive committees with Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) – a trans-Canadian network dedicated to helping children and families with neurodevelopmental disabilities. These executive roles have given Sarah the opportunity to interact with key members in the community, clinical practice, and governmental organizations on initiatives related to child health.

Kaiya Gamble

Singer, Songwriter, Performer | 2019 Women of Inspiration™ Youth Excellence | UWN Youth Ambassador

15-year-old Kaiya Gamble’s dynamic and deeply emotional voice will leave you speechless. This soulful pop singer/songwriter, performer and multi-instrumentalist based in Calgary, Alberta, has captivated large and small audiences since she was just nine years old. These audiences also include her recent performance for 16-time Grammy winner David Foster, who said after hearing Gamble sing “the future is in good hands." Her music can be described between Alicia Keys, Shawn Mendes and the legendary Lady Gaga. However, it is Kaiya’s powerful message of inclusivity and hope that makes her growing fan base truly become ‘super fans,’ proudly a part of her journey to reach bigger and bigger audiences worldwide.

Olivia Day

Ski Racer | 2020 Women of Inspiration™ Youth Excellence | UWN Youth Ambassador

Olivia is one incredible 15-year-old. A member of Banff Alpine [Ski] Racers on hiatus , in 2020 she ranked highly in Slalom (3rd) and Super-G (7th) for girls born in 2007. In 2021 Olivia was awarded Ski Canada Magazine award+scholarship and the UWN’s Youth Excellence Award. Olivia is now a competitive Martial Artist, training and testing seriously in Karate, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with 5 Elements Martial Arts. She takes training seriously for all disciplines and still finds time to mentor younger students as a Senpai (assistant Karate coach).
Her sports demand strength and resilience, 2 key qualities for whichever profession she decides on. Never losing sight of the need to study hard, she attends the National Sports School where she believes she can achieve her goals to be the best she can be in sports and her chosen profession. Though undecided, she is considering pursuing corporate law.

Corporate Partners