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Karla Gourdeau
Team Lead Ambassador Management, Alberta Community Ambassador
Community Ambassador, AB, Founding Gem
“My name is Karla Gourdeau and I have lived in Calgary all my life. I worked for an independent jewelry store for 7 years and am a Graduate Jeweller (aka I love all kinds of gems)! I left the jewelry industry for the less glamorous world of big corporate oil and gas where I currently work as a Chartered Accountant.
I am passionate about women’s roles in a male dominated industry and hope to see more and more women in leadership roles and around boardroom tables throughout my career and never take my seat at the table for granted! I feel very strongly about what the Gems for Gems mission and vision is, I especially love the scholarship program as I’ve always felt so privileged to have the education that I do as it’s always been my safety net and I want to see other women be able to change their life circumstances through the scholarship program.
I am excited to be apart of Gems as I truly believe in the “empowered women, empower women” quote and I have had the good fortune of a strong lady tribe to pull me up through my darkest moments and I would love the opportunity to give back and pay it forward!”
Michelle Edge
Ambassador
Community Ambassador, AB, Founding Gem
An adopted Calgarian, Michelle moved to Canada from the UK after completing her Joint honors MA in Law and Philosophy. From working in the Oil Sands to Co-Founding the Energy Disruptors Initiative, Michelle’s background has a solid foundation in Energy but her passion lies in all things creative. Michelle is happiest when reading and writing, and is inspired by strong, authentic and determined women like J. K. Rowling and Emma Watson, who use their talents to make a difference in our world. “When I first met Jordan I was blown away by her drive and passion. Honestly, I would follow Jordan into any initiative she believed in, but it just so happens the cause she has put her heart into is completely aligned with my values, morals and spoke to me at my very core. Gems for Gems is a unique organization with an amazing purpose and a visionary leader at its helm”.
Kathy Smart
Calgary Ambassador
Community Ambassador, AB, Founding Gem
I love my work with e=mc2 events (with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto) as their Director of Marketing & Sales. Prior to joining “e” in 2015, I was four and a half years as the Director of Marketing for RedPoint Media and Marketing Solutions, publishers of Avenue and WestJet magazines.
With over 30 years of marketing and sales experience, I have built an extensive, ever-growing network and have met some incredible people along the way. One of which was Jordan. It was a meeting meant to be and I look forward to supporting such an incredible group of people doing great and amazing work.
Angela Martini
Founding Gem, Community Ambassador. AB
Community Ambassador, AB, Founding Gem
“I am honoured to link arms with such a beautiful cause and organization.”
Angela was born in Austria and immigrated to Canada 35 years ago with 2 suitcases and dream. As a mother of twin girls she is naturally invested in a bright future for all women.
Her varied background includes fitness, healthcare, design and business. Angela’s passion for servant leadership and mentoring women has led her to her greatest accomplishments.
“I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint”– Angela Martini
“The best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you” ~ Oprah Winfrey
Becky Ring
Founding Gem, Community Ambassador, AB
Community Ambassador, AB, Founding Gem
‘I am honoured and humbled to be a part of such an amazing group of women. I have always enjoyed being able to “give back” to the community whenever possible and by becoming a “Gem” this gives me the opportunity to do so on a much larger scale! Looking forward to what the future of Gems has to offer the many deserving ladies of Calgary!”
Lindsey Dafoe
Founding Gem, Community Ambassador, ON
Community Ambassador, ON, Founding Gem
My name is Lindsey Dafoe and I am from Belleville Ontario. I am a mother of two beautiful boys and I married my best friend 13 years ago.
I co-own a business called 4Ever Expressions. We specialize in making fingerprint jewellery and custom sterling silver jewellery.
I also, manage an independent jewellery store and am a graduate Jeweler.
I have always wanted to be a part of a charity and give back. After meeting Jordan and learning about Gems for Gems I knew Gems was for me. I too feel very strongly about the Gem approach, mission and vision. I’m excited for the scholarships, as this is a huge part of the solution for lasting change.
I am a very passionate person and I’m very excited to put my heart into Gems, to contribute and be a part of this growing movement.
I am honored to be an ambassador and thrilled to be aligned with this tribe of empowering woman.
Marie Brown
Founding Gem, Community Ambassador, AB
Community Ambassador, AB, Founding Gem
Marie is a wife and mother to 4 beautiful children! She is bubbly, energetic and an individual who is always looking for ways to help others. Marie loves all things natural and loves to be creative! Her husband Ryan Brown, a NUCCA Chiropractor, and her share a passion for health and the desire to help others live a life improved!! They both currently work at Precision Spinal Care, where they can make this a reality everyday!! www.precisionspinalcare.ca
Over the past few years Marie has been using essential oils in her home. She loves the natural approach to wellness and the way the oils support our bodies innate healing process. As a dōTERRA wellness advocate, Marie wants to share her knowledge and excitement about these safe, natural and powerful tools that have been grown from the earth. She has seen first hand how they help combat stress, injury and ailments that most families face daily!!! Marie wants to transform the way families manage their health and support informed, health conscious, decision makers from all stages of life. www.mydoterra.com/liveoillife
“I am honoured to be a ‘Gem’ and look forward to working with amazing women who are caring, compassionate and driven! I know Gems for Gems has and will continue to make a difference in the lives of many women. I’m so proud to be a part of this team! I have been loved and supported by countless amazing women and I look at this as an opportunity to pay it forward. “
Alicia Dobranowski
Nova Scotia Team Lead Ambassador
Community Ambassador, NS, Founding Gem
We have a Nova Scotian Gem joining our ranks! I’d like to welcome Alicia Dobranowski! She is ready to lead the charge for the Christmas Jewelry Drive 2017 in Nova Scotia!
Alicia was born in Ontario and has lived in Halifax; Nova Scotia for the past 13 years. She is currently working as a Recreation Therapist in Mental Health and Addictions.
“I feel honoured to be a ‘long distance’ Gem and so lucky to always have had strong support network of wonderful women around me. It’s so wonderful to be a part of an amazing team of women focused on supporting and building women up. We all need a hand to reach our potential and I’m so happy to be a part of that for others through Gems for Gems!”
Kayla Mcleod
Alberta Community Ambassador
Community Ambassador, AB, Founding Gem
“I attended school in Ottawa Ontario for Early Childhood Education, the. Moved to Calgary to try and expand my horizons. I am now working as a director at a daycare centre.
Relocating to Calgary was probably the best/scariest decisions of my life as i have never lived, or spent so much time away from my family. Family has always been the most important thing to me, yet this was a choice i had made to better myself. I have made so many new and exciting opportunities for myself, as well as met so many new and amazing people who have made the biggest impact on my life.
I like to think of myself as a hard worker, but also try to push myself to beat my fears whether it’s meeting new people, or trying to do something that I never thought i could achieve.
I am beyond honoured to work and to become a ‘Gem’ and can’t wait to see what the future of becoming a Gem has to offer. ‘Gems for Gems’ consists of a variety of hard working, caring, and amazing women who want to make a difference in other women’s lives. That’s what i’m hoping to achieve is to make a difference in someone else’s life.”
Adrianna Nieuwdorp
Alberta Community Ambassador
Community Ambassador, AB, Founding Gem
Adrianna graduated with a BA of Psychology from Laurentian University in 2007 and made the decision to move to Calgary in March 2008 for a fresh start. Soon after arriving in Calgary, Adrianna started working full time at Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall moved into a full time management position. Realizing there was something still missing from her career path, she decided to explore other options. She always had a strong passion for organization, budgeting and balancing the books. While still continuing part time with the Ranchman’s, Adrianna began working as an entry level accounting clerk with Crew Energy Inc. in January 2012. Her hard work and determination showed her supervisors she was ready to move further into the accounting world. She was then promoted to a Treasury Accountant and is currently working on courses to complete her CPA. Adrianna is also a Scentsy Consultant which she began selling mainly to fuel her own addiction (www.msnieuw.scentsy.ca) In her down time, she enjoys yoga, spending quality time with her partner, family, friends and all of her animals.
“I am quite honored to be a ‘Gem’ and look forward to working together with so many amazing women. It’s not every day you meet an entire group of women trying to build each other and other women up. This group reminds me of a quote ‘she builds others up, because she knows what it’s like to be torn down’ and that really hit home for me. Knowing every day, everyone has a different struggle- some harder than others and instead of knocking others down, it’s time to stand up and rebuild. Thank you for letting me share this amazing experience with you.”