She Speaks: Sharing Stories & Building Confidence In Our Community

Watch the full event below.

WBN’s event SOLD OUT The Sid Williams Theatre! Maybe it will be an annual event!

Guests from across Vancouver Island gathered to be inspired, empowered, and deeply moved by nine remarkable female entrepreneurs—and they were not disappointed. Our female-led, TEDx-style evening highlighted the honest, unfiltered stories women often carry quietly. Speakers stepped beyond the expected to share the truths that shape their lives, exploring leadership, mental health, identity, motherhood, aging, community, and the invisible pressures women navigate.

Built on a proven framework and launched in partnership with WeBC and the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, this curated event showcased the power of structured support, collaboration, and a stage where women can truly be heard.

Collaborators Chrissie Bowker and Pauline Stevenson brought the She Speaks event to life over a cup of coffee—proof that powerful partnerships often begin with a single conversation.

Chrissie Bowker, Comox Valley Women’s Business Network President, She Speaks Event Producer

Pauline Stevenson, WeBC Regional Ambassador, She Speaks Moderator

Allison Seller

Keynote Speaker & Business Strategist

Member: Comox Valley Women’s Business Network

Talk Title: How to De-Fine Your Life by Defining Your Purpose

Allison Seller is a keynote speaker, business strategist, and #1 best-selling author who helps women align purpose with growth in both life and business. As the Founder of The WELLthy Entrepreneur®, she guides entrepreneurs and leaders to create clarity, confidence, and sustainable success without burnout.

Tanja Yardley

Broken Squirrel Wellness

Member: Comox Valley Women’s Business Network

Talk Title: Integrating Resilience and Recovery into Leadership

Tanja Yardley is CEO and Founder of Brainnovation Network, designing healthier workplaces and communities. She helps women in business integrate resilience and recovery into leadership and systems design.

Tasha Page

Glacier Counselling Services

Member: Comox Valley Women’s Business Network

Talk Title: Held, not fixed: A Story of Infertility, Motherhood, and Community

Tasha Page, RSW, MSW, MA, is a perinatal therapist and the founder of Glacier Counselling Services, where she supports women and couples through infertility, loss, pregnancy, and the profound emotional shifts of parenthood. As both a clinician and a mother, Tasha is a passionate advocate for care that is relational, community-centred, and purpose-driven—especially during life’s most vulnerable seasons

Dr. Elisabeth Crisci, MD

Pacifica MD - Medical Aesthetics and Wellness

Member: Oceanside Women’s Business Network

Talk Title: When “Normal” Isn’t the Whole Story: The Midlife Drift That Shapes How We Age

Dr. Elisabeth Crisci is a Canadian physician with 25 years of experience, specializing in proactive prevention for women in midlife. She translates complex physiology into practical, evidence-based steps to maintain health, strength, and resilience.

Shannon Donohoe-Simpson

Shannon Donohoe-Simpson | Speaker, Joybringer, Fierce Heart

Member: Comox Valley Women’s Business Network

Talk Title: Brave Enough To Choose Joy

Shannon Simpson is a TEDx speaker, storyteller, facilitator, and joybringer. She helps individuals reconnect with their truth, reclaim joy, and transform fear into courage and authentic living.

Dawn Elgin

Practical Spiritualism

Member: Comox Valley Women’s Business Network

Talk Title: The Aligned Human: Remembering Who We Are Before What We Do

Dawn Elgin is an Architect of Human Alignment, Contrarian Soul Guide, and founder of Practical Spiritualism. She is the creator of The Aligned Human Project, a body of work devoted to integrating science, spirituality, and embodied awareness to restore coherence in how we live, lead, and relate.

Ame-Lia Tamburrini

HUM Consulting

Member: Comox Valley Women’s Business Network

Talk Title: All In for Heartbreak: Why Community Is Worth the Risk

Ame-Lia Tamburrini is the Founder of HUM Consulting and a trusted facilitator of courageous conversations grounded in emotional intelligence, human connection, and restorative conflict resolution. With decades of global experience, her coaching, speaking, and teaching weave diverse practices together to foster inclusive spaces, strengthen collective responsibility, and help people move closer together.

Tracy Holbrook

FCU Community Financial, a division of Vancity

Member: Comox Valley Women’s Business Network

Talk Title: Unapologetically Woman; Redefining Power in a Corporate World

With decades of experience as a Financial Advisor, Tracy delivers talks on financial empowerment, values-driven leadership, and building influence with confidence and authenticity. A former small business owner across wellness, private education, and professional services, Tracy combines disciplined financial insight with a people-centered approach.

Amy Englemark

Keynote Speaker, Author, Business Coach

Member: Comox Valley Women’s Business Network

Talk Title: Restore Your Relationship With Money

Amy Englemark is a keynote speaker, business and leadership coach, and emotional intelligence trainer. She helps entrepreneurs and leaders master stress and increase profit, leading from calm confidence rather than fear or control.

Empowering Women to Speak, Share, and Shine

WATCH FULL 2 HOUR EVENT