This morning, I woke up with a sore face from laughing bloody hard over the past two weeks: I just completed my first intensive improvisation course at The Second City, the world's premier comedy club/theatre and school of improvisation. Despite suffering from a brutal sinus infection, I spent...

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing award-winning editor and celebrated columnist, Leah Eichler. Her weekly career advice column in Canada's national newspaper, The Globe and Mail, takes a refreshing and insightful perspective on issues that women face in today's workplace.

She is not only...

Trey Anthony is the creator and star of the ground-breaking production, 'da Kink in My Hair, which had its start on the stage and later debuted in 2007 on Global Television - and has touched many women's lives. She is the first Black woman to write and produce...

When I was younger, I did not see myself as a leader. But I never saw myself as a follower, either. Rather, I marched to the beat of my own drum -- as I still do today. Throughout my school years and early adulthood, I resented authority figures -- those...

Have you ever met that kind of woman who radiates beauty from her inner core? You know, the one who attracts your attention with an easy, bright smile and has a centred nature and calming effect?

Jennifer Ettinger is one of those women.

I initially connected...

International Women's Week is upon us, whereby women, and many of the men who love us, are celebrating the joys of womanhood around the world. Now, in all this hoopla and hype, I need to come clean on something.

In case you did not notice, I am a woman....

Upon hearing some friends complain about Toronto after a local violent crime hit the news, Eva Karpati became determined to show the world that Toronto is a "wonderful place filled with amazing people." She wanted those with a negative view of our city to see the positive side...

As I continue to hone my public speaking skills, my speaker coach recently asked me a simple question: who do you consider the greatest orators?

I rattled off a number of them, such as the obvious J.F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King -- the usual suspects -- and a...

When you think of "intelligence gathering," what might come to mind is the CIA.

That is what Corrine Sandler, founder and CEO of Fresh Intelligence Research Corp., a Toronto-based innovative market research company, does for a living: she gathers intelligence -- but of a different kind.

It...

To dream a dream is at the heart of the human spirit. From the dream emerges new ideas, innovation, breakthroughs, business opportunities, the arts and prosperity.

Dreaming has taken us to the moon and Mars. It has given us automobiles, movies, books, the iPhone and Facebook. It has...

It has happened to all of us at some point. You have a great idea, even an original idea (or so you thought) and someone else likes it so much they "borrow" from you -- or outright steal. Your idea may show up as a variation of itself, or perhaps...

Ariel Garten, co-founder and CEO, InteraXon, a thought-controlled computing company based in Toronto, has managed to beautifully blend the worlds of science, art, business and technology. Often referred to as the "Brain Guru," her innovative technology harnesses the power of brainwaves to control objects and create experiences, from...

When we have a big vision for ourselves -- and are taking steps toward fulfilling that dream -- it can be time of major transition and growth. When we are in this stage of growth, we need to muster all that we have to make our creative dreams come to...

When you think of Glasgow, art may not be the first thing that comes to mind. On a recent trip to Scotland's second largest city, my discovery of a vast collection of world-class fine art was not only a pleasant surprise, it was revealing of this city's cultural...

You have planted a seed for a dream. Maybe it is writing a book, or creating a new service or product, growing an enterprise, or planning to travel the world and getting paid for it.

It is impossible that everything we desire and dream of, and take action toward, will...

Canadian actress and emerging playwright, Sarena Parmar, has performed in film, television and on the stage. Her credits include: Radio Rebel (movie); Degrassi: The Next Generation; The Border; The Voices; Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet.

In this in-depth interview on Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon...

After interviewing hundreds of accomplished women over the past few years, in my quest to discover the keys to their success, I have become aware of not only treasured insights, but also recurring themes. One of those themes just might surprise you.

For many of these successful women,...

My theme this week is one of my greatest loves: travel. I feel tremendous joy when exploring our magnificent planet. Most people I know also enjoy traveling; it is seemingly universal. It is one of the best ways to get inspired and to change routine.

While routine has its comforts,...

On a recent trip to New York City, I had the pleasure of experiencing a Sunday jazz brunch at one of the most romantic restaurants in New York: One if by Land, Two if by Sea. I had heard about the restaurant's popular weekend jazz brunch and it...

Courage is the ability to do something scary. It requires bravery to start a business, ask for a job promotion, travel the world solo, direct a film, rock climb, or make a lifestyle change. It takes courage to pen a memoir, and to share your dreams and innermost fears with...