Program

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morning

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

afternoon

 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.