Welcome to Powered by AWE, where we celebrate the inspiring journeys and achievements of women entrepreneurs from across Alberta and beyond. Each episode, we dive into candid conversations with trailblazing women who share their stories, insights, and tips for success. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this podcast offers valuable advice, motivational stories, and a supportive community to help you navigate your entrepreneurial journey. Tune in every month for new episodes filled with empowering discussions, expert advice, and actionable strategies to elevate your business and inspire your entrepreneurial spirit.
Join us on this journey of empowerment and growth, and let's unleash the power of women in business together!
Powered by AWE, Episode 5: Building While Life is Happening With Guest Amanda Wagner
Powered by AWE is a podcast where women building businesses in Alberta talk honestly about the decisions, trade-offs, and consequences that actually shape growth.
Nobody talks about what's actually happening alongside the business. The kids, the PhD, the grief, the friendships you couldn't keep up with and the ambition that refuses to quit through all of it.
Amanda Wagner — keynote speaker, business strategist, and PhD candidate researching ambition in women entrepreneurs at the University of Alberta — joins host Michelle Toner for one of the most honest conversations this podcast has had. Amanda calls herself a woman of impatient ambition: she wants it all, she wants it now, and she's doing it in the messiest, most human way possible.
This episode is for anyone who's ever wondered if they're allowed to want more, even when they already have a lot.
In this episode:
What "identity switching" really costs and how Amanda got intentional about it
The difference between a building phase and a maintenance phase (and why knowing which one you're in changes everything)
Why "how do you do it all?" is the wrong question and what to ask instead
The glass balls and the plastic ones: how to know what actually can't drop
Her research on ambition in women and why gender is still treated as an afterthought
Why you can be grateful and still want more (and you're not a monster for it)
How to find your people when you barely have time to look up
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Alberta Women Entrepreneurs has been serving the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Alberta for the last 25 years and counting!
To stay up to date on all things business, opportunity, and workshops, follow us:
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To learn more and connect with us, please visit us at: www.awebusiness.com
#WomenEntrepreneurs #WomenInBusiness #AlbertaEntrepreneurs #WomenFounders #EntrepreneurshipAlberta #PoweredByAWE #AWEAlberta #WomenMeanBusiness #ImposterSyndrome #Ambition #WomenInLeadership #WorkLifeBalance #BusinessGrowth #ConfidenceCapitalCommunity #AlbertaWomenEntrepreneurs #WomenLedBusiness #BusinessMentorship #SmallBusinessAlberta #WomenInResearch #FemaleFounters
14 Sept 2026
Powered by AWE, Episode 4: You Don't Have to Look Like a CEO With Guest Adriana Lopez Forero
Powered by AWE is a podcast where women building businesses in Alberta talk honestly about the decisions, trade-offs, and consequences that actually shape growth.
What does it actually cost to lead when the room wasn't built for you?
Adriana Lopez Forero — AI pioneer, EdTech founder, and CEO of Onlea — joins host Michelle Toner for an honest conversation about leadership identity, imposter syndrome, and why you don't have to fit a mold to lead well.
Adriana studied artificial intelligence in the early 2000s before it was mainstream, spent over a decade at one of the world's top game studios, and now leads an Edmonton-based EdTech company changing how people learn. In this episode, she gets candid about teaching yourself confidence, letting go of the leadership styles that don't fit, and why real power comes from your mission.
In this episode:
- Why confidence before competence is a skill you can teach yourself
- The moment someone believed in her before she believed in herself
- What she had to let go of to become a better leader (her answer will surprise you)
- Why your emotions are a signal system, not a liability
- How AI is reshaping education and what it means for the future of human learning
- Her experience with the AWE Strategic Leadership program
Follow us on Instagram: @awebusiness
Find us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alberta-women-entrepreneurs/
Check out our website for more information: www.awebusiness.com
#WomenEntrepreneurs #WomenInBusiness #AlbertaEntrepreneurs #WomenInLeadership #EntrepreneurshipAlberta #WomenLedBusiness #AWEAlberta #PoweredByAWE #ImposterSyndrome #LeadershipDevelopment #EdTech #AILeadership #WomenInTech #BusinessGrowth #WomenMeanBusiness #ConfidenceCapitalCommunity #AlbertaWomenEntrepreneurs #SmallBusinessAlberta #WomenFounders #BusinessMentorship
11 Aug 2026
Powered by AWE, Episode 3: Money Changes Everything With Guest Alicia Fowler
Money is the conversation most women entrepreneurs are still having in private, in shame, or not at all. Alicia Fowler, feminist CPA and founder of MOD Accounting, is done with that. In this episode, she gets radically honest about underpricing, paying yourself first, and what it actually means to be in a relationship with your money.
Check out our website for more information: www.awebusiness.com
7 Jul 2026
Powered by AWE, Episode 2: The Messy Middle No One Talks About with Guest Kendall Barber
There's a version of building a business that nobody puts on the highlight reel. The part after the early wins, when momentum dips, decisions pile up, and you're not sure if what you built is going to hold.
Kendall Barber co-founded Poppy Barley from Edmonton, scaled one of Canada's most beloved ethical fashion brands coast to coast, navigated a global pandemic mid-growth with a six-week-old baby, and has never once pretended it was easy. In this episode, she and Michelle Toner go deep on the stretch that doesn't make the Instagram feed and what it really takes to push through it.
Check out our website for more information: www.awebusiness.com
9 Jun 2026
Powered by AWE, Episode 1: Powered by Community with Guest Johanna Pagonis
You can have the best idea in the room, but without the right people around you, it stays an idea.
Dr. Johanna Pagonis, founder of Sinogap Solutions, joins host Michelle Toner, CEO of AWE to talk about the role community plays at every stage of building a business, from the early days when everything feels uncertain, to the long haul when staying motivated gets hard.
This is an honest conversation about what it actually takes to start and sustain something that lasts.
30 May 2025
Episode 8: Digital Transformation Success Stories: Entrepreneurs Who Have Paved the Way
President Tara Proskiw discusses digital transformation for women-owned businesses with CEO Marcela Mandeville, sharing her journey of using digital tools and resources to achieve long-term viability in this interview episode.
18 Feb 2025
Navigating Growth & the Digital World: Insights from Melanie Harris of Functional Therapy
Melanie Harris of Functional Therapy discusses her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of integrating digital tools, and the importance of community for women entrepreneurs in this interview episode.
7 Nov 2024
Building Digital Equity with Cassandra Dorrington
In this episode of the AWE Podcast, we explore the critical issue of digital equity and its
impact on Indigenous entrepreneurship in Canada. Host Marcela Ramirez sits down with Cassandra Dorrington, President of the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC), to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous communities in the digital age.
Cassandra sheds light on CAMS's vital role in connecting Indigenous businesses with
larger buyers and fostering economic growth. We delve into the meaning of digital
equity, its impact on underrepresented communities, and the unique barriers faced by
Indigenous entrepreneurs in accessing technology and infrastructure, particularly in
rural areas.
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is dedicated to supporting women in business, and their Bold Leadership program is making strides in addressing these digital divides. Through mentorship, skills development, and networking opportunities, Bold Leadership gives entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to overcome challenges and thrive in the digital era.
The program's asynchronous learning model further enhances accessibility, allowing participants to learn at their own pace and on their own schedules, a crucial factor for women balancing business, family, and community commitments.
Tune in for an insightful conversation that highlights the importance of digital equity in
supporting all entrepreneurs to thrive in the modern economy.
24 Oct 2024
Diversity in the Digital Arena with Erin Davis
In this episode of the AWE Podcast, we dive deep into the world of digital equity and its
impact on women entrepreneurs. Join host Marcela Mandeville as she talks with Erin
Davis, an expert in inclusive digital literacy, past Strategic Edge and Bold Leadership
participant in addition to owning her company, Erin Davis Co., about the evolving digital
landscape and the challenges women face in tech.
They explore the systemic biases hindering women in business, the importance of digital literacy for entrepreneurial success, and the technology-fueled initiatives combating these inequalities.
Erin shares her personal journey navigating the digital world, offering insights on how
women can support themselves and their teams in overcoming bias. Finally, they
discuss the crucial policy changes needed to create a truly inclusive digital economy
and how partnerships are driving progress.
Tune in to discover how we can collectively support entrepreneurs to thrive as leaders in the digital age. Is your business ready to take on digital leadership? Are you wondering what tools are
available to save time and increase your revenue?
Learn more about our programs at https://www.awebusiness.com/bold-leadership
10 Oct 2024
Episode 4: Automate to Accelerate with Danielle Cherewyk
Juggling all the demands of running a business in Alberta? You're not alone! In this episode, we explore how automation can empower women entrepreneurs to reclaim their time and boost their productivity with Bold Leadership Program graduate Danielle Cherewyk, Owner of The Headroom Salon and Spa.
Join us as we answer these key questions, specifically tailored to the needs of Alberta women in business:
What tasks can Alberta women entrepreneurs automate? Discover how to streamline your operations, from marketing and sales to client communication and administrative tasks.
Are there Alberta-specific automation resources available? We'll highlight local programs, tools, and support systems designed to help Alberta women entrepreneurs thrive.
How can AWE help you implement automation? Learn about AWE's resources, workshops, and mentorship opportunities that can guide you on your automation journey.
What success stories can inspire you? Hear from Alberta women entrepreneurs who have leveraged automation to achieve remarkable growth and work-life balance.
Tune in to discover how automation can free you from the daily grind, allowing you to focus on your passion and build a successful business in Alberta and beyond. This episode is brought to you by Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), your trusted partner in business growth.
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12 Sept 2024
Episode 3: Financial Frontiers: Expanding your Business Beyond Borders
Dive into the latest episode of the AWE Podcast with CEO of Alberta Women Entrepreneurs, Marcela Mandeville, as she discusses how Bold Leadership helped international entrepreneur, Melissa Hozack (https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahozack), Founder and Owner of TruMe Whole Health.
Melissa's international business was growing rapidly, but implementing a CRM and developing a digital strategist with her AWE advisor, Tina Kingstree (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinakingstree), owner of Torch 7, has helped Melissa work on her business rather than in it. From streamlining her processes to developing an e-commerce storefront, Bold Leadership has helped Melissa increase her capacity and grow her business. All while gaining a valuable network of likeminded peers along the way.
Listen to the full podcast episode on Spotify: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/B6MKRho7PMb
Learn more about Bold Leadership here: www.awebusiness.com/bold-leadership (http://www.awebusiness.com/bold-leadership)
20 Aug 2024
Inside Digital Minds: Strategies for Entrepreneurs
Join AWE CEO Marcela Mandeville as she delves into the mind of a digital strategist. In this episode, she sits down with Lori Schmidt to uncover the secrets behind successful entrepreneurship. Discover actionable strategies and invaluable insights as these two industry leaders share their experiences and expertise. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your journey, this episode will equip you with the knowledge and motivation to thrive in the digital age.
Visit us at www.awebusiness.com to learn more!
Subscribe to our podcast and stay up to date on all the latest episodes!
6 Aug 2024
The Supply Chain Evolution
In the very first episode of the Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Podcast, CEO Marcela Mandeville discusses the evolution of supply chain as it relates to the digital landscape with special guest Melissa Martin, CEO of Wean Greene.
Since 1995, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) has provided tools and resources to women across the province to help them achieve their entrepreneurial goals and to grow their businesses. For 29 years, AWE has built a network of successful educational and mentorship programs built around our core values: Capital, Connection, and Capacity.
We have connected women with access to capital, training and workshops, business advising, and our loans programs. As the business landscape evolves, we have also added support to women looking to grow their businesses and how to expand into new markets through our progressive growth programs: BOLD Leadership, and Strategic Edge - Leadership For Growth we provide established entrepreneurs with the tools necessary to adapt to the digital landscape, grow their businesses and expand to new markets. We are also proud to provide specialized services and resources for local Indigenous entrepreneurs through our advising team as well as hosting training programs throughout the year.
As a non-profit organization, we are proud to be recognized throughout the province as a reliable resource for both up-and-coming and established women entrepreneurs in the community. Our annual awards ceremony is one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies for women entrepreneurs with over 200 attendees annually. In 2022, we completed more than 1500 workshops and training sessions to date, in addition to over 120 advising sessions.
As a team of diverse women with a wealth of unique experiences that we are passionate about sharing with the community, AWE is here to support and guide women entrepreneurs every step of the way.
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