Meet Our 2022 Speakers
Raven Adams
Speaker
I’m a counselor (RSW) helping individuals and families to reconnect themselves and each other. Clients and I work together to understand the patterns operating in relationships, behaviors, and thoughts, and the emotions that live beneath them. We can shift what we understand. My counselling style utilizes somatic, emotion, and attached-based approaches.
Esther Ofori
Speaker
Esther Ofori is a therapist at Hope For Today and holds a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology from the Simon Fraser University, Canada. Esther’s Masters research focused on social and emotional development in young adults.
Esther is a member of the BC Association of Clinical Counselors (BCACC), and a Registered Clinical Counselor (RCC).
As a therapist, Esther's specialism includes Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), AEDP Level 1, Gottman Couples' Therapy (levels 1 and 2), Emotional Focus Family Therapy (EFFT), and Motivational Interview (MI).
Shalyma Cambridge
Speaker
SHALYMA CAMBRIDGE is a coach, facilitator and instructor, passionate about self-awareness, leadership development, inclusion and supporting diversity in organizations. As both a Partner and Director of Client Services with Vancouver-based EDI consultancy, HRx Technology, she is immersed in all facets of consulting, training development, and coaching to help organizations build equity conscious leaders and work environments.
With a passion for building community, Shalyma also co-founded Kaiso Careers. Through group workshops, individual coaching and monthly Candid Career Convos, their work aims to support BIPOC entrepreneurs and emerging leaders in developing personal brands grounded in authenticity.
Shalyma’s background includes work in both financial services and healthcare settings as well as leadership communications consulting roles supporting organizations across North America. It is her belief that when a culture of authentic, inclusive and bold leadership is encouraged, people are inspired to be their best - at any age.
Shalyma holds a BA in Psychology, Graduate Certificate in Communications Management, UBC Certificate in Organizational Coaching, and is currently pursuing a MA in Organizational Leadership. Outside of work, you’ll find her spending time with her husband, two energetic kids and volunteering as a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade’s Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Council.
Shelley-Anne Vidal
Speaker
Shelley-Anne Vidal (she/her) is a highly motivated professional communicator. She has over a decade of combined experience as a passionate: business professional, educator, and career practitioner. Shelley considers herself a lifelong learner and knowledge seeker who enjoys learning about intercultural leadership, intercultural communication, social justice, anti-racism and how we can bring communities together.
In 2009, Shelley began facilitating interactive and engaging workshops to First Nations communities, international professionals, youth, and post-secondary students. Currently, Shelley works as a college instructor and a community facilitator. She is known for her ability to guide newcomers and youth through their career journeys as well as provide support to enhance people’s confidence, communication skills and intercultural awareness.
Shelley earned a Masters in Higher Education Administration and Leadership. Additionally, she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Sociology. Some of Shelley’s additional credentials include, a BC Provincial Instructor Diploma in Adult Education, a Career Development Practitioner Certificate and a Certificate in Intercultural Studies Program.
Since learning the importance of community service and advocacy as a child, Shelley enjoys being involved in various passion projects that bring people together as well as amplify the voices and accomplishments of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour.
When she’s not teaching, Shelley enjoys meeting new people, travelling and caring for her young daughter.
Wendy Valerio
Speaker
We are all in our own life paths and will hit milestones at different points in our lives. It’s important that none of us feel threatened to a ladder of financial, personal and professional maturity, because we must simultaneously climb one rung at a time.
Wendy Valerio has always been curious to understand how some people could have so much, and others were living paycheque to paycheque. For that reason, she decided to pursue a career in finance. She is knowledgeable about money and the money rules. Therefore, she truly believes that knowledge is power. She loves building relationships, nurturing, and educating people about money.
Who is Wendy Valerio? What she did before starting her own financial business? In 2014, after graduating in journalism in Brazil, she came to Canada and successfully completed a Marketing Management Course at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
The journeys she has experienced in life and professionally are the reasons why she chooses to be a financial coach. Wendy’s passion for finance and business began in 2015 even though, it gew even more after her Mutual Funds and Life Insurance License got activated in 2021.
As a money coach, Wendy strongly believes that building up a strong financial foundation should be slow, steady, and done in a way that will allow people to live the life of their dreams. No matter your story and experience, she will teach you how to make your financial dreams a reality. Wendy will assist you and clarify your goals and design a tailored plan that addresses your most pressing financial concerns and opportunities.
If you earn a good income but, wonder why you’re not doing better financially or if struggle with managing your cash flow or maybe you’re established financially however, don’t have the time or expertise necessary to navigate some of life’s more complex money challenges. Don’t miss out on the financial literary session coming up in July.
Efe Fruci
Speaker
Efe Fruci is an experienced career and confidence coach, scientist, CEO, speaker, and author, dedicated to building confidence and unleashing the potential in women. With an extensive background in female empowerment, her decade-long career expands over several industries including science and biotechnology. She holds a degree in Biomedical Science and Health Sciences from Oxford, in addition to a degree in Nursing/Midwifery. Efe worked her way up from an entry-level position to earn her seat at the STEM table, a space held by too few Black women.
Her work as a career and confidence coach is guided by one simple fact: an empowered woman today is a leader tomorrow. From overthrowing imposter syndrome and managing mental health, to reimaging the path to career success, Efe helps women to build the confidence needed to accomplish their career goals. By assisting clients in developing their personal and career road map, be it transitioning to a new career, climbing the corporate ladder, or the journey to entrepreneurship, Efe equips and empowers clients with the tools to succeed and thrive forward with greatness. She is passionate about promoting female leadership, building selfconfidence, and nurturing the talents of women, to see them become the innovators, leaders, and change-makers they were destined to be. Her clients range from students to executives, working with universities, everyday women seeking to take the next step, and leading companies such as Accenture and Deloitte.
Efe is also the Founder and Executive Director at ODIHI, a not-for-profit dedicated to providing access to education and creating career opportunities for young girls and women to thrive in life, with their career aspirations and helping them evolve into the best version of themselves.
She’s bold, pretty witty, and a little cheeky. Her down-to-earth humor compels clients to laugh while they learn. In her free time, she's an unofficial champagne taste tester, occasional sports participant, avid reader, travel expert, and singer, whose vocals rival Beyonce.
Haeley Mariah
Speaker
Haeley Mariah is a Holistic Fitness & Mindset Coach specialising in mind-body development and creating a holistic growth experience. She teaches women and youth how to build unbreakable body confidence and self-love by automating healthier habits and implementing stillness practices.
Tricia Kay-Williams
Speaker
Tricia-Kay Williams is the Owner and Registered Clinical Counsellor of Metamorphose Counselling and Consultation LTD.
Tricia-Kay completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology at York University in Toronto O.N. She then travelled to Vancouver B.C. where she completed a graduate degree in Counselling Psychology at Adler University. Tricia is skilled in treating: Trauma, Anxiety, Transitional/Career and Relational issues. She is also an active community and social services professional who serves the Global Inclusion Council at Modern Health, the Board at New Hope (Refugee) Community Services, and is contracted to provide Counselling and Consultation regarding BIPOC initiatives at Simon Fraser University.
Tricia-Kay is the host of a YouTube Channel and Podcast called Meta Transitions that seeks to reduce the stigma of seeking help, and champion diversity, equity and inclusion for emerging adults navigating a Life, Career or Relational Transition.
Karla A. Laird
Speaker
Karla A. Laird, LL.B (Hons.), L.E.C, MA (Hons.)
Born on the beautiful island of Jamaica, Karla is a dynamic, media-savvy senior communications specialist with over 9 years of combined demonstrated experience working in the Canadian and Caribbean business, nonprofit, legal, and film and television sectors. She is also an attorney-at-law under the jurisdiction of Jamaica and has been serving as the Director of Member Services and Communications at the Union of BC Performers (UBCP/ACTRA), the provincial organization for professional performers working in the English language recorded media sector, since September 2021. Her portfolio includes spearheading support for their member base of over 8000 performers, as well as leading communications, industry relations and administration for the organization.
Karla integrated her background in law with her passion for public relations, building a career as a corporate communications strategist, media relations expert and community liaison. She is an accomplished team leader with a flair for innovation and finding creative solutions to challenging communication problems. An advocate in every sense of the word, Karla is also President of the Jamaican Canadian Cultural Association of BC, serving as an ambassador for her home country, by actively supporting the Jamaican immigrant community in the province. She particularly enjoys supporting her community as a mentor to women and girls, providing insight and guidance in areas including career development, acclimatizing as a new immigrant, finding your voice in and outside of the workplace, building confidence, and leveraging your unique qualities.
Karla holds a Bachelor of Laws degree with honours and a graduate diploma with distinction in public relations from the University of the West Indies and recently completed her Masters in Intercultural & International Communication at Royal Roads University.