Thank you to our Spotlite Contributors!
It is one thing to read an article – but it is totally another to write an article. Early in my career a boss asked me to write an article about storing a sprayer for winter. I diligently and feverishly worked on it for two weeks and finally, and proudly, handed it in. He read it, looked at me, paused and said “I asked you to write an article about storing a sprayer, not building one.” I became a conference planner.
Here are the writing talents behind Spotlite:
Beverly Beuermann-King, CSP
For over twenty years, Beverly has used her S-O- Principle™ with people and organizations who want to control their reactions to stress, build resiliency against life’s challenges, and live healthy, successful lives.
She launched her company, R ‘n B Consulting in 1995, and since then she has helped teams from a wide range of industries, including healthcare, education, government agencies, finance, and not-for-profit, to shift from stressed-out to resilient, enabling them to be more engaged, productive and healthy.
Beverly’s psychology, sociology, management, and adult education background combine to create her Work Smart Live Smart presentations, which are soundly based in research, and are enlightening and inspirational. Audiences discover the right strategies to improve their health, manage their challenges, and enhance their life’s satisfaction using her three simple questions.
Beverly is a sought-after media spokesperson and has represented high-profile brands such as Expedia.ca, TD Insurance and P&G. She has made over 500 television and radio appearances on shows such as City TV and CBC, and in national publications from the Toronto Star newspaper to Chatelaine magazine. She is a highly respected speaker and is one of less than seventy Canadians to have earned their Certified Speaking Professional designation and Certified Virtual Presenter designation.
Connect with Beverly by visiting https://worksmartlivesmart.com or emailing her at info@worksmartlivesmart.com.
Michelle Cederberg
For over 15 years, Certified Speaking Professional Michelle Cederberg has captivated audiences across North America with her empowering and humorous messages about how to set worthwhile goals, get energized for success, and live a bigger life.
An in-demand speaker, author, coach and consultant, she believes that personal and professional success is directly influenced by how well we harness the physical, mental and emotional capacity we each have within us. She helps people boost that capacity, so they gain clarity, build confidence, and get the discipline to create the life and career they want.
She holds a Masters in Kinesiology, a BA in Psychology, a specialization in Health and Exercise Psychology, is a Certified Exercise Physiologist, a Certified Professional Co-Active Life Coach, and an ORSC-Trained Team Coach. She truly combines mind, body and practicality to empower change.
Carol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D.
Carol is a leadership contributor for Forbes.com, a leadership presence coach, the author of thirteen business books, and the creator LinkedIn Learning’s best-selling video course, with over 2 million views, “Body Language for Leaders.” Her latest book, “STAND OUT: How to Build Your Leadership Presence,” offers tips and strategies to project confidence, credibility, composure, connection, and charisma.
As a faculty member for the Institute for Management Studies and Excellence Squared Academy, Carol presents seminars in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. She has also served as adjunct faculty at John F. Kennedy University in the International MBA program, at the University of California in the Executive Education Department, and for the Chamber of Commerce of the United States at their Institutes for Organization Management. https://CarolKInseyGoman.com
Catalina Margulis
Catalina Margulis is a Toronto writer and super (tired) mom of four, who is also working on her second novel and interviewing guests for her podcast Passion Project (www.passioinprojectpod.com), about people making their dreams come true. You can find her at @catmargulis and @passionprojectpod on Instagram.
Sarah McVanel
Sarah McVanel helps people fall back in love with work. From her first job waiting tables to years later being quasi “work therapist”, Sarah could never understand why people didn’t show appreciation and recognize each other more; now, as Canada’s Recognition Expert, she speaks, trains and coaches leaders to leverage the exponential power of recognition to retain great people and live more satisfying professional lives (yes, even when failure strikes). She draws on her BA (Psych), MSc (Family Relations), 20 years practicing Organizational Development and certifications in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Coaching, Speaking & Healthcare Administration. She left her senior leadership role 5 years ago to launch her boutique firm Greatness Magnified and author four books. She loves to VLOG, hip hop, and get up to no good with her hubby Mark & kids Justin (16) & Simonne (14).
Phillip Norton
Phil Norton, 63, had a true farm immersion experience at age 26 when he became the editor of a rural community newspaper in the Chateauguay Valley, Quebec. He fondly recalls the many assignments that led him out on the country roads and into farmhouse kitchens. He wrote about and photographed winter orchards damaged by deer, researchers at soil and crop conferences, and did interviews in the barns at milking time. He ended up running his own 100-acre farm and raising his children there. Now, in Prince Edward County, Ontario he is a vocal defender of the dwindling family farms and the pastoral landscape facing increased urbanization.
Lauren Sergy
Public speaking and communication expert Lauren Sergy has helped thousands of people become more effective leaders by developing critical communication skills such as persuasion, presentation, and executive presence. Known for her highly practical and inter-disciplinary approach, Lauren tackles tough speaking and communication issues with refreshing humor and candor. She has worked with a variety of clients and audiences in Canada, the US, and Europe including KPMG, T-Mobile, Grant Thornton, the Government of Alberta, the University of Alberta, Dairy Farmers of Canada, and many more.
Lauren is a proud member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. She holds a Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Classics, and teaches business communication at Concordia University of Edmonton and the University of Alberta.
Her book, The Handy Communication Answer Book, was featured on Library Journal’s Best Reference Books of 2017 list.
Myrna Stark Leader
Myrna writes from Kelowna, BC. She loves sharing other’s stories through her writing and photography. She’s passionate about agriculture, learning, connecting people to each other and sharing whatever she can to help others succeed. While not farm-raised, she is farm wise and is a national director with the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation board.
Devin St. Louis, CFP, FCSI, BBA, CIM, FMA
Devin began his career with RBC Royal Bank in Kelowna, British Columbia, in 2003. He advanced his career east to Calgary and joined RBC Dominion Securities in 2007. Today, he is a Vice President and Portfolio Manager with a focus on Wealth Management and Financial Planning. A firm believer in continuing education, Devin earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance in 2004. He went on to achieve his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 2006 and his Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) and Financial Management Advisor (FMA) designations. In 2011, Devin achieved the recognition of Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI). Over his career, Devin has felt truly honored to have worked alongside some of the best wealth management professionals in Canada. His tenure within RBC has resulted in the establishment of a strong network of experienced professionals within the organization and the community. When he is not working, Devin is pursuing his desire to travel the world and further his knowledge and appreciation for wine and the culinary arts.
Piper Whelan
Piper Whelan is an agricultural journalist based in southern Alberta. She grew up on her family’s cow-calf operation, and she’s passionate about storytelling, ranching and helping those who make their living off the land share their stories.