The Free Press is proud to spotlight Manitoba women who are forging progress in every sphere: from boardrooms to classrooms, construction sites to creative studios. These stories of leadership and resilience deserve to be seen, and our International Women’s Day magazine is the perfect platform to celebrate them.
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This International Women’s Day, Manitoba Egg Farmers is celebrating farm leaders
Leaders like Catherine Kroeker-Klassen, who leads our organization as Chair of Manitoba Egg Farmers, while also running her family egg farm in Linden, Manitoba. Visionary role models like Catherine are paving the way for future generations in both agriculture and business.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate Catherine’s dedication and thank her for her mentorship and leadership across the agriculture industry.
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Finance
Empowered women lift our company.
International Women’s Day
PHOTOS BY GUSTAVO LUY
Advertising
Audience Development
Women of The Free Press : Colleagues from across the
newsroom, production, advertising and corporate teams gather in the front atrium to mark International Women’s Day. While not everyone could attend, these photos reflect the strength, collaboration and leadership of the women whose talent and dedication drive The Free Press forward every day. The images highlight some of the departments across the organization, celebrating the essential roles they play in shaping our journalism, our workplace and our community.
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Proudly Celebrating Women in Leadership
Councillor Janice Lukes, Councillor Emma Durand-Wood, Councillor Devi Sharma, Councillor Sherri Rollins, Councillor Vivian Santos and Councillor Cindy Gilroy proudly serve on Winnipeg City Council (2026).
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Collaboration over competition Expert Advice to Fund a Joyful Life
BY KRISTIN MARAND
PHOTO BY DARCY FINLEY Joy in every season. The Combined Trinity Park Wealth & dts lifeStyles team (back to front): Terran Malzahn, Janet Morrow, Debbie Styles, Ariel Doyle, along with Bernedoodle, Banks.
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HERE’S A QUIET SHIFT taking place alongside the analog rebel- lion. People are craving things that are real, tactile, and connecting. We are realizing that the only antidote to the madness and pace of modern life is joy – pure and unfiltered. This approach requires reflection and an acknowledgement of what isn’t working to deter - mine what does work and has meaning for you. These elements are
Styles and Morrow’s approach is based on an intimate understanding of you as a person. What your current situation is, what you would like it to be, and what is important to you in the here and now, while allowing for the inevitability of change. This is especially poignant for workers who aren’t spending their entire careers with one organization and may need to tap a portion of their nest egg to pause and regroup before making a career change. The “joy bubble” approach, the preferred term used in place of investment port - folio, is simple: separating funds based on an understanding of when clients need
the foundation of a new way of looking at money, too, and Debbie Styles of dts lifeStyles and Janet Morrow of Trinity Park Wealth Co. see that crystal clear.
money. Funds in the Enjoy category are invested in cashable, accessible assets that keep up with infla - tion and are intended to be accessed within one to two years. Joyful funds are meant for short-term investments of three to five years. Remaining funds are directed to the Overjoyed category, invested in businesses, and intended for longer-term savings and growth over five years or more. Because each bubble grows or contracts based on various factors that influence investments, money can be moved from bubble to bubble based on each client’s wants and needs. When a client begins funding their lifestyle from their investments, suf - ficient funds are dedicated to Enjoy and Joyful to sufficiently fund their “allowance” and enough is exposed to market growth in Overjoyed to con - tinue growing their joy reserve.
In a shared space along Wellington Crescent, Morrow and Styles combine their knowledge, resources, and decades of expertise to serve clients with diverse life goals. Yes, they deal in finances, but traditional wealth accumulation is not the end - game; it’s the means to achieving your dreams and sharing with your loved ones. Their approach isn’t to sock away all your hard-earned savings for some rainy day that may or may not come, but to help you make the most of your life while you’re able to squeeze maximum enjoyment out of it. “We’ve retired the word retirement from our practice because it suggests that you’re tired of what you’re doing,” explains Styles. “This is not a positive word; this is a fear-based word. Fear derails us. We want joy, not fear, to guide any - one’s money. We also no longer use the term net worth. We have been conditioned to believe that
“We believe language changes behaviour, and we’ve witnessed it. We have seen the most beautiful things unfold.”
– DEBBIE STYLES OF DTS LIFESTYLES
“You can be in a space of scarcity regardless of what you have, or you can be in a space of abundance, regardless of what you have. And you have to keep in mind that health is wealth, so those two have to align,” adds Morrow. “It’s changing attitudes, changing thoughts, it empowers the client. Behind all of this is an amazing system of managing money that works at any stage of life. It works for those who are drawing income from their investments, for people who are saving for a goal, and can be held in any type of account, like your TFSA or RRSP. The concept is just so resonating.” To learn more about this joyful approach to money management, visit either dtslifestyles.com or trinitypark.ca, and arrange a meeting with a joy facilitator so you can G.R.O.W.: gather, reflect, outsource your money matters, and move from worrier to warrior. ●
our worth is something you see on a piece of paper, but your money is not your worth. We call it your joy reserve. So we started advising around joy. We believe language changes behaviour, and we’ve witnessed it. We have seen the most beautiful things unfold.” Borrowing from the Spanish, the duo believe in creating a jubilation plan – the heart of the joy-centred language they use in planning. Jubilacion is the Spanish word for retirement and carries a much happier ring, wouldn’t you agree? While the language they use to discuss goals may seem a bit new-age, it’s an important shift away from the fear-based language so many institutions and generations of hard-working families have used. When you name something, you give it power. When you can talk about something in a positive light, the nature of that thing becomes inherently positive.
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Women-owned businesses are thriving
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OMEN ENTREPRENEURS are not to be underestimated. Data affirms that women-owned businesses are growing and thriving. According to North One banking, women-owned firms account for more than 12 million businesses in the United States. In addition, the 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Business Report,
in partnership with Ventureneer, Core Women and Women Impacting Public Policy, found the number of women-owned business increased at a rate of 4.5 times between 2019 to 2023. Women-owned businesses are driving economic growth, and a deeper look at some of the numbers supports that notion. • The Women’s Business Enterprise Council says there are 12.3 million women- owned businesses in the U.S., which comprises about 40 per cent of the total number of businesses. • Women-owned businesses bring in nearly $2 trillion every year, says the National Women’s Business Council. • During the pandemic, women-owned businesses added 1.4 million jobs and $579.6 billion in revenue to the economy, says Wells Fargo. • World Bank indicates that roughly one-third of principal owners of all busi - nesses are female. • WBENC advises that 64 per cent of new women-owned businesses are started by women of colour. • Women’s Business Enterprises Canada Council says more than 85 per cent of buying decisions are influenced by women. The Canadian Minister of Small Business notes that women business ownership is growing. In 2023, approximately 18.4 per cent of all businesses in Canada were majority owned by women, compared to 15.6 per cent in 2017. • According to Forbes, women-led tech companies achieve a 35 per cent higher ROI. A Forbes study with First Round Capital, a venture capital firm, found female-founded businesses in their portfolio outperformed male-founded companies by more than 60 per cent. Women-owned businesses are making a large impact on North America and around the world. Such firms continue to employ millions of people and foster strong economies. ●
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WOMENS ENDOWMENT FUND
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Launching change
BY GEORGIA WIEBE
SUPPLIED PHOTOS Alana Thera is a Level 2 construction electrician thanks to the LauncHer into Trades program.
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LANA THERA SAYS she always knew she didn’t want a career that kept her behind a desk. For the past six years, she has worked as a hairstylist, but that wasn’t her first job choice either. “It was the only trade that I thought was available to me, being a woman,” Thera says. “Then, after I had my daughter, I realized that anything is possible. And that’s when I made the leap.”
the trades. But we also need the environment to support them. And that’s what LaunchHER is. It helps support the women who want to get in and stay in.” Today, Thera works as a construction electrician. She was drawn to electrical work due to family roots and because of the challenges that come with keeping a building running.
“I wanted the constant evolving, constant learning, hands-on problem solving. And when you finally get the result, and it can be as small as turning the lights on, you feel so successful,” Thera says. That drive to build and problem-solve didn’t just shape her career path; it gave her a purpose beyond the job site. “When young girls see women in hard hats, it expands what they think is possible,” Thera says. “It is really meaningful to be part of changing what the industry looks like. Being a woman in trades means I’m helping normalize it for the next generation.”
She joined the RRC Polytech Electrical Pre- Employment Program in 2023, which gave her the hands-on learning experience she needed. “I wanted her [my daughter] to look at me and think that anything is possible, and I can do anything, and that she can do anything as well. So that’s when I finally made the leap into a male-dominated trade,” Thera says. In October of 2025, after a coworker told her about the LaunchHER Program at First Peoples Development Inc. (FPDI), she joined the program. The LaunchHER Program promotes women in the trades to obtain their Red Seal in Manitoba and pursue a trade career.
“When young girls see women in hard hats, it expands what they think is possible.”
– ALANA THERA CONSTRUCTION ELECTRICIAN
Thera says she also hopes to be a source of inspiration for other women as they grow up. “Visibility matters. We as women belong in no matter what field you are in. There
“It is women genuinely committed to supporting women and not only getting into the trades, but staying in the trades and giving them the support and assistance that they need,” Thera says. Fellow tradesperson Cheryl Wiebe at LaunchHER was Thera’s mentor. They provided her with bus passes, textbooks, equipment and unwavering support. “I would recommend the LaunchHER Program to anyone who wants to join the trades,” Thera says. “They have been so phenomenal. We need more women in
is space for us. And that’s something to be celebrated,” Thera says. “It’s about knowing not only young girls, but women in general, if they see something, they can do it.” ●
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Freedom through restored pelvic floor strength at UROSPOT
SUPPLIED PHOTOS Right to left: Leanne Lawrie, Carla Wood (both Freedom Providers), Sigrun Watson – Owner, Charlene Zawaski RN – Client Care Manager, Shana Lount – Client Care Administrator
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MAGINE NOTICING —almost casually at first—that you’re going to the bathroom more often than you used to. Then one day, you laugh, cough, or sneeze and feel a small but unmistakable leak. Or you’re suddenly hit with an overwhelming urgency and barely make it to the bathroom in time.
If laughing, running, jumping, sneezing, or coughing give you pause, imagine sitting in a chair that delivers pain-free pulses of high-intensity, focused elec - tromagnetic energy—equivalent to 11,000 Kegels in less than 30 minutes. This is the technology behind UROSPOT, a non-invasive treatment designed to
strengthen the pelvic floor and restore coordina - tion between the brain, bladder, and pelvic floor muscles. It addresses symptoms commonly asso - ciated with childbirth and aging, including bladder leaks, urgency, frequency, night waking, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic organ prolapse. Your pelvic floor muscles support your bladder, bowels, and—in women—the uterus. They also play a critical role in posture, balance, and core strength. As women enter perimenopause and estrogen levels begin to decline, the pelvic floor takes a significant hit. Estrogen is essential for maintaining muscle bulk, tissue thickness, and elas - ticity. As levels fall, pelvic floor tissues gradually become thinner and weaker, accelerating loss of structural support and neuromuscular control. The result is a cascade of escalating symptoms that can significantly impact quality of life, mental health, confidence, and freedom.
At first, it feels manageable.
“For many women, menopause is the
But over time, it starts to take over.
You hesitate to attend social events unless you are wearing dark pants, have pads with you, and know there’s easy access to a bathroom. Exercise and even intimacy with your partner feel too risky for fear of an embarrassing leak. Travel becomes stressful instead of enjoyable. Nights are no longer restful, interrupted by repeated trips to the bath - room that leave you exhausted the next day. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, your world begins to shrink.
turning point—when mild symptoms quietly become life-altering ones.”
– SIGRUN WATSON OWNER OF UROSPOT WINNIPEG
“For many women, the hardest part is realizing how urinary incontinence symptoms have quietly taken over their lives.” (Sigrun Watson – Owner – UROSPOT Winnipeg) For nearly 50% of women over 50, these scenarios are not just hypothetical . They are—or may become—their daily life. 1 At UROSPOT Winnipeg , many of the women experiencing the most significant symptoms share a common story. They are often mothers, as carrying and deliv - ering children places enormous strain on the pelvic floor. Many have also spent decades in deeply selfless professions such as nursing, teaching, and caregiving. Years spent on their feet, holding their bladder, and putting others’ needs ahead of their own quietly compound the physical toll of childbirth and the natural pelvic floor muscle wasting that accompanies getting older. Other, often-overlooked risk factors include constipation, persistent chronic cough or sneezing with allergies, as well as obesity, and even chronic anxiety. By the time many women seek help, they’ve been coping—silently—for years.
Later in life, worsening incontinence and impaired balance increase the risk of falls and hip fractures—major drivers of nursing-home admissions. Incomplete bladder emptying can also lead to recurrent bladder infections, which can become serious and even life-threatening. “For many women, menopause is the turning point—when mild symptoms quietly become life-altering ones.” (Sigrun Watson – Owner – UROSPOT Winnipeg) Bladder leakage is not just a quality-of-life issue; it is also often accompanied by some degree of pelvic organ prolapse, a condition that ultimately affects up to half of women over fifty. 2 Prolapse occurs when weakened pelvic floor support allows organs such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum to descend into the vaginal or anal canal. In more advanced cases, surgical correction may become necessary.
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While surgery for urinary incontinence can offer symptom relief, it is invasive, carries recognized risks, and outcomes can decline over time, with some patients experiencing recurrent symptoms or requiring further surgical inter - vention. 3 Pelvic floor strengthening exercises are widely recognized as the
Treatment utilizes high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy (HIFEM), approved by both Health Canada and the FDA. Clients remain fully clothed dur - ing sessions, with no downtime. A typical course includes six sessions over three weeks, with maintenance treatments every four to six months to sustain results.
first-line treatment for urinary incontinence and have been shown to reduce symptom severity and slow symptom progression over time, which may help delay or even avoid surgery. 4 Sigrun Watson, owner of UROSPOT Winnipeg, brings decades of healthcare experience and a deep passion for preventative and women’s health. While consulting for a virtual menopause care provider, she discovered UROSPOT—a fast-growing Canadian company addressing a critical gap in care—and knew she had to bring it home to Winnipeg. “Until recently, apart from relying on people to learn to contract these muscles themselves, our options were limited,” Watson explains. “Unfortunately, without proper guidance, many who attempt Kegels do them incorrectly, resulting in a lot of effort for little gain and can even do
In clinical studies, 95% of patients report improved quality of life, and nearly 70% com - pletely eliminate or significantly reduce their reliance on incontinence products. 5 “We’re doing a lot of awareness building because we’re really trying to bring this out into the open and start a conversation,” explains Watson. “Too many women suffer in silence. We want to remove the shame and stigma and remind people that while pelvic floor muscle weakening and the associated urinary incontinence symptoms are extremely common, we don’t have to let it rob us of our quality of life.” To learn more or to book your complimentary consultation and free “Kegel Throne” trial, visit urospot.com/winnipeg.
“We’re doing a lot of awareness building because we’re really trying to bring this out into the open and start a conversation.”
– SIGRUN WATSON OWNER OF UROSPOT WINNIPEG
more harm than good,” says Watson. She goes on to explain, “It can be dif - ficult for many to effectively contract their pelvic floor muscles once they already have pelvic floor weakness, leaving them frustrated and discouraged. The technology we use at UROSPOT creates supramaximal contractions—far stronger than the body can achieve independently. It’s like doing a year’s worth of Kegels in one session, helping people rebuild strength and restore the brain–bladder–pelvic floor connection.” UROSPOT’s interdisciplinary model combines world-class education, health coaching, and advanced technology, designed by a multidisciplinary team of pelvic floor physiotherapists and nurses. After a complimentary, personalized assessment, an individualized treatment and education plan is created to help clients restore pelvic floor strength and neuromuscular control—resulting in fewer leaks, fewer urgent bathroom trips, better sleep, and improved intimacy.
UROSPOT Winnipeg 556 Academy Road, Winnipeg MB tel: (204) 318-8866 email: winnipeg@urospot.com
References: 1. National Poll on Healthy Aging. University of Michigan. www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/ nearly-half-women-over-50-experience-incontinence-most-havent-talked-doctor. 2. Barber MD, Maher C. Epidemiology and outcome assessment of pelvic organ prolapse. Int Urogynecol J. 2013. 3. Ford AA, Rogerson L, Cody JD, Aluko P, Ogah JA. Mid-urethral sling operations for stress urinary incontin - ence in women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 (updated). 4. Dumoulin C, Hay-Smith J, Mac Habée-Séguin G. Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment for urinary incontinence in women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014; updated 2018. 5. Samuels JB, et al. Safety and efficacy of non-invasive high-intensity focused electromagnetic technology for the treatment of urinary incontinence. Lasers Surg Med. 2019. ●
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The Menopause Practice celebrates one year of supporting women
BY JENNIFER MCFEE
PHOTOS BY ENASAL-AINI PHOTOGRAPHY Erica Henderson, Annabelle Reimer and Melina Elliott, founders of The Menopause Practice.
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HE MENOPAUSE PRACTICE recently marked its one-year mile - stone of offering personalized care for women by women. A trio of wellness experts noticed a gap in services related to meno - pause, perimenopause and hormonal health, so they combined their skill sets and launched the private practice in January 2025.
could include hot flashes, night sweats, increased irritability, anxiety and pos - sibly weight gain. It’s that period of time when you start feeling not like yourself.” Some women may start experiencing symptoms up to 10 years prior to the actual date of menopause, she added.
“The symptoms of menopause that are tradition - ally spoken about, such as hot flashes and night sweats, can carry on for another seven to 12 years post-menopause, so it’s quite a lengthy duration for women,” Reimer says. “Whether or not you have symptoms, your body is still going through changes. That may include increased risk of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance or diabetes and higher body weight, which can contribute to other concerns. The time of transition of menopause also increases our risk of some mental health concerns, such as increased anxiety, depression and possibly a re-escalation of ADHD type of symptoms.”
The Menopause Practice brings together the expertise of Melina Elliott and Erica Henderson of Body Measure, along with nurse practitioner Annabelle Reimer. Rounding out their team, they also work alongside several more nurse practition - ers, a social worker, and an office assistant. Their goal is simple yet succinct: to empower women through transformative evidence-based care that enhances quality of life during every stage of menopause and beyond. Women can self-refer to the private practice, which isn’t covered by Manitoba Health. With a focus on flexibility, appointments are available vir - tually, by phone, or in person at the clinic, located at 1086 St. Mary’s Rd.
“We’re helping women not just to survive through this period of our lives but to really thrive.” – MELINA ELLIOTT, MASTER'S OF SCIENCE THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE AND COMMUNITY HEALTH, UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
At The Menopause Practice, the team takes the time to understand each client’s specific symptoms and provides tailored guid - ance to help manage their needs. Services can include in-depth blood work, bone density scans, nutritional guidance, hormone therapy and more. Melina Elliott, who holds a Master's of Science degree from the Faculty of Medicine and Community Health, University of Manitoba, is passionate about working with women so they can feel their best. “We’re helping women not just to survive through this period of our lives but to really thrive. Oftentimes, society sees women in mid-life as not really having value anymore, but I think that’s changing now,” she says.
Annabelle Reimer, the first nurse practitioner in Manitoba to obtain certification from The Menopause Society, shares some insights on this time of transition. “Menopause is the one day when it’s been one year since the time of your last menses for a woman who is having a natural menopause experience,” she says. “Perimenopause or pre-menopause is the period of time prior to that date when women are starting to notice changes within their hormonal cycles. Their men - ses might start getting slightly irregular. They may be having symptoms that
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“We want to find out early where you’re at so we can help you build your bone. Going on hormone replacement therapy drops your chance of getting osteo - porosis by half. There are exercises we can recommend that really help, as
“There’s definitely more conversation about entering this chapter of our lives. Women deserve this type of care. It’s very well documented that women are under-studied in research, and we’re under-served because of it.”
well as supplements like vitamin D and calcium. Prevention is what we’re all about,” she says. “A whole-body DEXA looks at internal fat, or vis - ceral fat, which tends to go up in perimenopause and menopause. Visceral fat can cause metabolic syndrome when you have three or more conditions like fatty liver, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pres - sure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides or sleep apnea. Visceral fat is very reversible with the right diet. There are a lot of things we can do to make really big changes.” While reflecting on the first year of The Menopause Practice, Reimer says it’s been reward - ing to work with women of all ages.
Currently, menopause and perimenopause seem to have become buzzwords, and Reimer notes that many people are offering services without a lot of training. In contrast, The Menopause Practice offers services from educated and experienced experts. “All of our practitioners are licensed nurse practi - tioners and health-care providers who have done additional training in hormone care,” she says. “They really are experts in the area.” As an expert in bone density, Henderson notes that this area of wellness is often overlooked.
“I want women to advocate for their own health and well-being.”
– ANNABELLE REIMER, NURSE PRACTITIONER
“We’re seeing so many women that have osteo - porosis and osteopenia long before 65. If we can see that you have low bone density in your 40s and 50s, we can get you on a program to help slow down bone loss and, in some cases, even increase bone density,” she says. “One in three women will have osteoporosis after the age of 50. It’s a huge issue. In North America right now, 400,000 women are breaking a bone every year from osteoporosis. Of those that break a hip, 33 per cent will die within a year of breaking that hip due to complications.” At The Menopause Practice, women can get a whole-body DEXA scan that assesses bone density and muscle mass to identify risk factors for both osteo - porosis and sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass and strength). A specific hip and spine DEXA is done to diagnose osteopenia or osteoporosis.
“I want women to advocate for their own health and well-being. They should be seen in a space that values who they are and offers them the opportunity to have conversations to feel supported and heard,” Reimer says. “This time of menopause and perimenopause grants us an opportunity to re-evaluate how we manage day-to-day life and to consider what we want for our next few decades in order to live in the healthiest manner possible.”
To learn more about The Menopause Practice, visit themenopausepractice.ca email hello@themenopausepractice.ca or call 204-416-6545. ●
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Influential women throughout Canadian history
ANADA HAS BEEN SHAPED by the people who have called the nation home. Throughout history, there have been many notable individuals who have shaped Canada. In honour of International Women’s Day, let’s single out a few of the notable women who have played key roles in shaping Canada.
International Women’s Day #IWD2026 #GiveToGain VIOLA DESMOND Viola Desmond is sometimes referred to as “Canada’s Rosa Parks.” This Black Nova Scotian businesswoman challenged racial segregation in 1946 when she refused to leave a “whites-only” section of a movie theatre. Her defiance was instrumental in sparking the modern civil rights movement throughout Canada. Desmond is the first Canadian woman to be featured alone on a regularly circulating banknote. DR. ELIZABETH BAGSHAW Dr. Bagshaw was a pioneer in women’s health and one of Canada’s first woman doctors. Although it was illegal at the time, she helped to found Canada’s first birth control clinic in Hamilton in 1932. This centre helped provide essential reproduct - ive health care and education to women during the Great Depression. KENOJUAK ASHEVAK A pioneer of modern Inuit art, Ashevak was one of Canada’s most celebrated art - ists. Her famous print “The Enchanted Owl,” as well as other works, helped bring Inuit culture and art to global prominence. Ashevak passed away in 2013. THÉRÈSE CASGRAIN During her lifetime, Casgrain was a powerhouse in Quebec politics. She led the movement for women’s suffrage in Quebec, which was achieved in 1940. Quebec was the last province to allow women to vote. Casgrain also was the first woman to lead a political party in Canada, leading the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), which later became the New Democratic party (NDP). DONNA STRICKLAND An optical physicist and pioneer in the field of pulsated lasers, Strickland is the first Canadian woman to win the Nobel Prize in Physics. Her work on chirped pulse amplification has revolutionized the field of laser physics, leading to the development of LASIK eye surgery. LUCY MAUD MONTGOMERY An accomplished author, Montgomery is best known for her 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables. Her work put Prince Edward Island on the international map and created a lasting legacy for popular Canadian literature. These are just a handful of the many Canadian women authors, scientists, artists, and politicians who have made a mark on both the nation and the world. ●
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Qualities women bring to business
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OMEN continue to thrive in the workforce. Wells Fargo reports that, from 2019 to 2023, the growth rate of women-owned busi - nesses outpaced the rate of men-owned businesses in relation to number of firms, rate of employment and revenue earned. LinkedIn also indicates there are 114 per cent more women entrepreneurs now than there were 20 years ago.
Every business owner or employee brings something unique to the employment landscape and certain characteristics are universal, regardless of gender. Still, there are certain qualities that women bring to the workforce that can help businesses excel. Forbes indicates women employees offer traits that can help drive engagement, productivity, satisfaction, and various other attributes. The following are some of the traits women may bring to business. Emotional intelligence Women First Jobs says that women often bring high emotional intelligence to the table. Emotional intelligence involves understanding and managing emotions and the emotions of others. Women may be more inclined to understand differ - ent perspectives and to help resolve conflicts and build relationships. Collaboration Women employees often have traits that can foster collaboration in the work - place, such as reading non-verbal cues and willingness to take turns in conversa - tions, indicates Forbes. This can help everyone collaborate more effectively. Room for improvement Women in the workplace continually seek opportunities for improvement, advises Sparklight Business. This can involve taking advice from other workers and peers. Women leaders embrace opportunities to do things better and work to improve their skills for the greater good. Communication The IWEC Foundation, which empowers women entrepreneurs, says women tend to be effective communicators and often make great leaders because of this trait and their ability to inspire others. Communication often is key to any rela - tionship, whether personal or in a business setting. Organization and planning Many women bring exceptional strengths to organizing and planning. They often demonstrate strong attention to detail and the ability to anticipate potential chal - lenges before they arise. These skills can make women highly effective in coordinat - ing workloads, managing schedules and helping teams stay focused and productive. Adaptability Even though it is a cliche, women tend to be natural multi-taskers. Handling mul - tiple jobs at the same time means women can adapt to changing situations. Generally speaking, there are some inherent characteristics women may possess that can make them viable assets as business owners or leaders in their fields. ●
Women tend to be effective communicators and often make great leaders because of this trait.
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– THE IWEC FOUNDATION
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Together we can forge gender equality. Collectively we can all # GiveToGain.
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Forging her art in steel
BY GEORGIA WIEBE
SUPPLIED PHOTO Welder Karalee Lang completed the 16-week Women of Steel course in early 2025.
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ARALEE LANG GREW UP surrounded by people in trades all her life, so it wasn’t a surprise when she joined the second cohort in the Women of Steel Program with First Peoples Development Inc. and Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT). Ever since she was little, Lang has assisted her family in trades work. At 14, she helped her parents while running their flooring
“None of that really gets to me,” Lang says. “I just powered through it and showed them what I could be.” She says she was thankful there were many supports available to her while in the program, including staff who helped her find job opportunities, organized meetings and check-ins, and provided food, equipment, and boots.
“It was probably the best experience I’ve ever had as a woman wanting to go into the trades. We also had a lot of fun, and there were a lot of learning curves that we had to push through,” Lang says. “It was overall a great experience, and it was very hands-on and very knowledgeable, and you weren’t left in the dark.” For Lang, being in trades and hearing about other women’s stories in the field brings her joy. “People look up to them, and I wanted to be that face. I fell in love with it the more I was in school,” Lang says.
company. Her mom worked in mechanic shops, and her husband does HVAC in sheet metal, but out of all the people in her life, her grandmother, Julia Robson, was her biggest source of inspiration. “She was actually the first [tradeswoman] mill - wright in Thompson,” Lang says. Before she got into the trades, Lang worked as an insurance broker for a year. “I’ve always liked to work with my hands, and in some ways I like to think that I’m an artist, but I never found my talent in anything,” Lang says. “I like drawing, you know, working on things, always being in the shop or on vehicles, but I never got the chance to advance into it.”
“It’s a life changer and honestly, just straighten out your back and show them what you’re worth.”
– KARALEE LANG WOMEN OF STEEL PROGRAM GRADUATE
Today, top welder Lang and her husband run their own side business, KT Welding & Mechanical, which combines her hus - band’s work in sheet metal HVAC and her work in welding. Her son has also grown up around work in the trades. Gaining the necessary skills and support from the Women of Steel Program helped Lang get into the career she always wanted. “It’s a life changer and honestly, just straighten out your back and show them what you’re worth,” Lang says. “I wish I could encourage more women to get into it.” FPDI is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for women in the skilled trades and for First Nations people across Manitoba. To learn more about other initiatives, including LauncHER into Trades, and to explore the various programs available, visit their website at fpdinc.ca. ●
In 2024, while scrolling through Facebook, she saw an ad for the program.
“I hummed, and I hawed, and I’m like, I don’t know if I should do it,” Lang says. “My husband was like, ‘You should go for it. I feel like you’d be phenomenal in it’. He’s the one who really pushed me to do that.”
After a bit of convincing from her partner, Lang applied.
“For me to be an insurance broker and go into welding was kind of a huge leap,” Lang says. “I like the idea of welding. It’s an art to me.” A year later, in March of 2025, Lang completed the program. She says she didn’t have any nervousness about jumping into trades despite it being a male-dominated field.
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