Sophia Wealth Academy is a day of financial education, inspiring workshops, a dynamic community of learners and powerful speakers.
All ticket sales proceeds are donated to Dress for Success.
Sophia Wealth Academy is a day of financial education, inspiring workshops, a dynamic community of learners and powerful speakers.
All ticket sales proceeds are donated to Dress for Success.
8:30 – 9:00 / Registration
9:00 – 9:15 / Welcome
9:15 – 9:45
The Sophia Wealth Academy Tradition
Tracy Theemes, MA, CFP, Co-founder, Sophia Financial Group
Wealth Academy was born ten years ago to empower women with the knowledge and confidence to manage and grow their money. A decade later, we've learned that more is required. We need to be better communicators. We need to be brave. We need to use our economic power to improve our world.
9:45 – 10:45
Journey to Courage
Susan Aglukark, Juno winner, Singer-songwriter
We are born with an abundance of self-esteem but circumstance and life events often make us forget we ever had it. Susan will show us how strength is forged and courage can be both lost and re-discovered.
Sponsored by the Koerner Foundation
10:45 – 11:00 / Break
Sponsored by Money Coaches Canada
11:00 – 11:45
#FINANCIALHACKS
An action packed, dynamic session of rules, tips, tricks and insights by top financial experts from the fields of investment management, tax, real estate, banking, and financial planning. Each tip will give you an insider’s playbook of do’s and don’ts to improve your financial life.
Lisa Alexander, Family Lawyer, Mediator
Kamal Basra, Financial Advisor
Pamela Clarke, Wealth Advisor, Vancity
Marci Deane, Mortgage Broker
Marlene Delanghe, Career Advisor
Karin Mizgala, Financial Planner, Money Coaches Canada
Tina Cheung, Wealth Advisor, Vancity
Sheila Walkington, Financial Planner, Money Coaches Canada
Faith Wilson, Realtor
11:45 – 12:45 / Breakout Sessions
Talking about the Hard Stuff
Facilitators: Donna Soules, Dr. Marshall Soules, Conflict Resolution Specialists
It is common to be afraid of conflict. We are hard wired to avoid difficult situations. If we avoid the crucial conversations in our lives — with our spouse, children, colleagues, employers — we will limit our growth personally and in our relationships. After 50 years of marriage and professional careers in the study and practice of communication, Marshall and Donna have a lot to share. This session is for you if want to overcome your fear and learn to embrace those difficult conversations on your path to success.
Your Money Map
Facilitator: Karin Mizgala MBA, CFP
CEO, Co-founder Money Coaches Canada
The secrets of good financial management distilled into five simple steps. This session is for you if you are in, or anticipate, a life transition (retirement, career or relationship change) and want the following:
A financial plan to organize your money and create your ideal life
A clearer understanding of your life priorities and how to customize your finances accordingly
Tips on how to make responsible financial decisions that have a positive impact on you, your family and your community
UNSTUCK – How to get out of debt and start living the life you want
Facilitator: Sheila Walkington BA, CFP
CFO, Co-founder Money Coaches Canada
Find the tools and motivation to stop living pay cheque to pay cheque.
This session is for you if you are struggling with debt or cash flow and want to learn how to:
Get off the treadmill of working harder and feeling farther behind
Create a systematic plan to get out, and stay out, of debt for good
Save for the things you want
Deal with unexpected financial demands
Modern Portfolio Strategies
Facilitated by: Kamal Basra, Financial Advisor, CFP, FCSI
Co-founder, Sophia Financial Group
In this workshop, essential fundamentals will be discussed as well as new trends, both good and bad, in the world of optimizing portfolios and balancing risk and return. This session is for you if you have a positive cash flow and want to improve your knowledge of investing.
You will learn:
How your values, needs and financial plan apply to strategy
The best way to understand and manage risk and return in relation to your own situation
Principles of responsible investment management
Current trends in portfolio management and what they mean for you
12:45 – 1:45 / Lunch
1:45 – 2:35
Pride: The Secret of Success
Dr. Jessica Tracy, UBC Psychology Professor
Pride can motivate us towards achievement and morality, or make us aggressive and demanding. It can be seen as a crown virtue or a deadly sin. Using empirical research, Dr. Tracy will explain how pride is the emotion that helps those in power get where they are, and show us how our personal pride can influence the kind of leader we become.
2:35 – 3:30
Wealth Academy Power Panel
Facilitator: Christine Bergeron, Executive Lead, Vancity
Everything you have ever wanted to know about power but were afraid to ask. Learn how to manage the consequences of taking stands, standing up for what you believe and voicing controversial opinions. Each one of our experts will identify a their unique strategy for using power with grace and authority.
Dr. Maria Gallo, UBC Kinesiology Instructor, Coach
Senator Marilou McPhedran, Law Professor
Susan Bazilli, Human Rights Lawyer
Kamal Basra, Financial Advisor
Sandy Garossino, Former Crown Prosecutor, Media Commentator
3:30 – 4:15
Power Labs
Choose the leader who has mastered an area of leadership you have always been curious about. These more informal group discussions will be both interactive and informative.
Dr. Maria Gallo: My Body. My Power.
Senator Marilou McPhedran: The Law. My Power.
Susan Bazilli: Passionate Activism. My Power
Kamal Basra: My Money. My Power.
Sandy Garossino: Words of Truth. My Power
4:15 – 5:00
Power, Courage and Community
Tracy Theemes
Women’s relationship to economic power has been riddled with legal, social, cultural, and emotional contradictions. Rhetoric concerning roles, gender, and out-dated stereotypes needs to be re-examined and re-fashioned to better suit us. The world needs our input — now.