Guest #1 Sarah Fletcher Musician , Researcher and Medical Anthropologist
Rock star or academic - one of life's choices Sarah Fletcher was born with mild cerebral palsy but thanks to amazing parents and a great physiotherapist, she never really let that get in her way. Her accomplishments range from receiving scholarships for each of her degrees, to organizing several North American tours with the rock band that she sang in for eight years. She is now trying to decide what to do with her life- should she be a rock star or an academic? . She was in London and Australia for a year finishing her masters in medical anthropology and had to leave Victoria to do that- that also meant leaving the band, as well as her boyfriend. She is now working for the Ministry of Health and has also started a music management company.

She got married last summer and has just given her notice with the government to go work on a research contract in the Yukon and will be starting her Phd either at SFU or UVIC in the fall, but not before exploring her new adventure into screen acting..... who knows what's next...

<Read what students have said> < view her interview at Monterey>

<Sarah talks about creative ways of finding work and exploring careers>

<Talking about CSI >

Themes:

Overcoming adversity
The music business
Being ready for surprises
Road trips and other adventures
Being a global citizen

Guest #2 Sarah Colwill : Business, Community and Environmental Engagement

Sarah Colwill is one of the most positive people you will meet. Not that her life has been without challenges. Her sense of humour, artistic flair, attention to detail and communication skills have seen her thrive wherever she has traveled throughout the world. She is currently part of the ownership group of the Fernwood Inn , as well as on the Board of the Royal Road University Foundation.

 

<Read what students  have said> < Sarah at Monterey>

Themes:

Bad news/ Good news
The power of art
Overcoming challenges
Passion for environmental change
Closing doors and opening doors.

 

 

Guest 3 Christopher Causton, Mayor

Christopher has been the Mayor of Oak Bay since 1996 – prior to his election as Mayor, he served for nine years as a Councillor. Born and educated in the United Kingdom, he has specialized in the hospitality field in Victoria and Seattle since 1972, and owned Rattenbury’s Restaurant from 1980-1996. Christopher is married, with two children.

He has been described as a model politician, always on Oak Bay Ave, or talking in coffee shops. He takes an interest in many people and issues and is easily approachable.

Christopher is a Director on the Board of BC Transit, Chair of the Capital Regional District Parks, Chair, Oak Bay Police Board, Chair, Len Traboulay Education Fund Committee, Vice-Chair, Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities, Director, Capital Regional District, Director, Victoria Transit Commission, Director Union of British Columbia Municipalities, Director of Municipal Insurance Association, member of the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee and a Rotarian with the Harbourside Club since 1984. < Sharing stories of a local hero><view his interview>

Themes
Challenges and Victories
Making tough decisions
Heroes, champions and leaders in our community
Lessons learned

Guest #4 Rob Reid – Marathon Man, Entrepreneur, Community Volunteer and Activist
Rob runs marathons, businesses and he even ran for mayor of Victoria in the fall of 2008. A volunteer extraordinaire, Rob volunteers in a number of community and national organizations, including the United Way Cabinet, the Pacific Sports Board, the Victoria Community Council and the Terry fox Foundation to name a few. Rob has been a volunteer board member of the Royal Victoria Marathon Society for 20 years and it’s Race Director for eleven years. Whether in business or the community Rob is always looking for creative ways to make a difference locally and globally. He founded the Runners of Compassion Society and is involved several ways in seeking creative solutions for creating homefulness.
Rob is married, and has four children. His hobbies include running and canoeing.
<View his iinterview>

Themes:
A vision for the future
Being a go-to-person: getting it done
Designing a creative life
Making the most of the time we have

 

Guest # 5 Jeff Rud – Musician, Journalist, Author, Sports Enthusiast and Officiando
Jeff has called many places home, but for the past 25 years he has lived in Victoria. As a journalist, he’s worked for thirty years for a number of newspapers. Two-thirds of this time he spent covering a variety of sports as a sports reporter. His journalist career includes six years covering B.C. politics as the legislative reporter for the Times Colonist which has led him to a new job.
To date Jeff has authored ten books. His first non-fiction book was published in 1996, is entitled; Long Shot: Steve Nash’s Journey to the NBA. Recently, he has focused more on writing fiction for kids.
Jeff is married to Lana Rud. They have two children; Maggie and Matt. In his spare time, Jeff can be found coaching or managing sports teams in the community.

 

Themes:

Getting the stories
Dealing with change
Coaching for success
Finding home wherever we are
The connections between writing, sports and music

 

Guest 6 Kira Laing – Real Estate Agent
Kira loves meeting new people and trying new things. She has worked as a model, an aesthetician, a server and a hostess. For several years, she worked at the Empress Hotel in the Bengal Lounge as a hostess. While still at school, Kira volunteered for two years at Queen Alexandra Hospital. Recently Kira decided to try her hand at real estate, so took courses and wrote the Real Estate Board Exams. In addition to using her people skills, Kira enjoys the new challenges of negotiating successful sales and purchases of properties around Victoria.
Kira loves the outdoors, animals and sports. In Arnis, she once amazed herself and others by taking down a body builder in 5 steps. Learning another sport and more travel are two of her short term goals.

<see her interview>

Themes:
Rising above expectations
Power of being positive and flexible
Standing out in business
Making and keeping connections with people ns and leaders in our community
Lessons learned

Guest #7 Bill Carere : Public Building and Coaching

Bill Carere is engaged in the community on at least two levels, the public building administration and team coaching. Both have left a tremendous legacy. As a Building Project Administrator for the City of Victoria, responsibilites include commissioning new building construction and repair, renovations and rehabilitation for the City of Victoria. Previously he was a General Contractor and partner in a Construction Company, Production and Sales manager for an installed Home Improvement Company, Earlier he had a short stint as a teacher, and a carpenter. Another aspect of high performance is coaching sports. Over the past 25 years, in over 1000 games he’s coached in soccer, basketball and baseball. Bill likes to try and prove that success/fun and positive feedback are not mutually exclusive.

Themes:
Making big life decisions
Sustainability is a world wide commitment - having a wider view
Family... helping our chlldren
Successful coaching: lessons learned

 

Guest #7 Dr Jim Powell Fisheries and Aquaculture
Dr. Jim Powell has over 25 years experience in the areas of fisheries and
aquaculture sciences and is an established authority on fish reproduction
and broodstock management. He has travelled and worked internationally
and lectured extensively in developed and industrial countries to instruct and educate producers and students in finfish aquaculture. His current involvement in fisheries and aquaculture is in managing fish
conservation and recovery programmes with the Freshwater Fisheries Society
of BC and maintains a private practice of aquaculture management consulting
through Fidelis Aquaculture Management.

Themes:
Challenges and rewards of working internationally
Becoming an authority
Importance of aquaculture: what we can do
Lessons learned along the way