Speakers Roster

Nicole Binsted,  Insurance Broker & Branch Manager for Firstbrook, Cassie & Anderson, Ltd

Right from high school in 1978 I joined Canadian General Insurance as a filing clerk. Within 3 months I was promoted to paper handling and by my second year was an underwriter/marketing rep.  By my fourth year I decided to become a broker, which I have been since. Three broker jobs led me to Firstbrook, Cassie & Anderson Ltd in 1989 in  Toronto and I moved to Muskoka in spring of 1990 to open this office for them.  I have not looked back. I now have a team of six brokers.

Carolyn Bray – Executive Director, YWCA

Retail Sales, Dominion Playworld (sports and toystore) – Lifeguard – Retail Sales, shoe store – Bartender – Waiter – Broadcast Journalist, Traffic Reporter at CJCH Radio, Halifax, TV Reporter/Program Host, CTV Halifax, Program Host, Shaw Cable, Guest – Sales at Citadel Hotel, Halifax - Account Executive for Studio East – Aids Educator – Health Promotion Director (Public Health) – Health Promotion Advisor, Pharmaceutical Companies – Community Development Facilitator – Executive Director, YWCA

Barbara Borland – Muskoka Midwives

Bingo Hall worker – Coat Check Girl – Pastry Chef – Crisis Counsellor & Teen Support Group Leader at Women’s Shelter – Doula – Midwife

Catherine Cabrol Schulz - Life Coach (photo coming soon)

Agricultural harvester (or grape picker in the vineyards) – Customer service representative – Advertising creative – Advertisement and Promotion Coordinator – Event Planner – Market researcher – Project Manager – Environmental Communication Manager – Business Developer – Merchandising Manager – Translator – Bookstore Sales Associate – Life Coach, Cornerlight Coaching (Self-employed)

Erin Chapelle - Coordinator of Arts Council Muskoka

Bloor West Village directory information verifier; babysitter (many times throughout the years); Fancy’s Fish and Chips hostess; Bonanza Salad Bar girl; sort-of-employee at the Elmvale Jungle Zoo; waitress at Cheers; day camp counselor (Toronto); daycare worker;  English and French teacher (Mexico); Academic Coordinator (got promoted at the same place in Mexico); KICX radio summer event reporter;  research assistant Nipissing U.; tutor; personal support worker; English teacher x 4 (Mexico—2 language academies, one high school, private classes); teacher, librarian and guidance counselor (Honduras); high school History, Social Studies, Grammar, Literature, and Writing teacher (El Salvador); organizer for Hecho a Mano Arts festival (El Salvador);jewellery designer and artisan; intern for the Arts Council of Muskoka  

Wing Chow – Director of Inspiring Sounds Music Studio and Muskoka Children's Choir

Piano accompanist for ballet school and children’s choir (Hong Kong), assistant conductor for children’s choir(Hong Kong), Pre-school Teacher, Summer Camp Coordinator, ESL teacher, Chinese as a Second Language Teacher, Interpreter/Translator with the Calgary Board of Education, Music Specialist, Resource Teacher and Classroom Teacher with the Calgary Board of Education, Instructor at Bracebridge Culture and Recreation, Director of Inspiring Sounds Music Studio and Muskoka Children's Choir,

Trish Conley-Knight – Program Coordinator – Town of Bracebridge

Delivering newspapers – babysitter – server at a synagogue – gas bar cashier – private party server during the Jewish holidays/events – day camp counselor – residential counselor for a large group home – Art gallery assistant @ K-W Centre in the Square – Assistant phys. Ed teacher with young offenders – Leisure Buddy Coordinator: City of Kitchener – Leisure Lifestyle Coordinator & Seniors Programmer: City of Kitchener - Recreation Coordinator: City of Barrie – Recreation Program Coordinator: County of Simcoe – Recreationist at Simcoe County Nursing home – became a part-time Fitness Instructor – Leisure Coordinator for South Muskoka Community Living – Recreation Program Coordinator: Town of Bracebridge, & part time Personal Fitness Trainer

Christine Cousins - Deck Supervisor & Photographer

Non-career related jobs: talking Christmas Tree, retail clerk, fast food clerk, paper carrier, cleaning lady, on mountain photographer

Career related: Freelance photographer for bands, family portraits, 1 wedding, commercial photographers assistant, springboard diving competitor, pool rat, photojournalist, real estate photographer, magazine photographer

Amy Durrer – TV Producer

Babysitter – Delivering Newspapers – Retail Cashier - Shelf Stocker – Chicken Catcher – Pharmacy Technician – Videographer (Sautel Cable) – Production Assistant (TVCOGECO Renfrew) – TV Producer ( TVCOGECO Muskoka)

Karen Eardley – Hypnotherapist, Muskoka Hypnotherapy

Milkwoman – newspaper delivery – Dishwasher – Apprentice – Automotive Engineer – Firefighter – Web Developer – Freelance Writer – Photographer – Graphic Designer – Hypnotherapist & Past Life Regressionist – Composer and Recorder of Guided Meditation CD’s

Margaret Elmslie – Piano Technician

1969 – 73: McMaster University, Hamilton – BA/BSW (Sociology/Social Work)

Student employment: Hospital Kitchen Dish Washer – Waitress – Maintenance Worker at Retreat Centre – Researcher, Dept Veteran Affairs – Variety Store Cashier – Liaison with Hamilton Women’s Centre, Dept of Citizenship and Immigration
Career employment: 
1974 - Employment Counsellor, Canada Manpower
1975 to 1988 – Self employed in partnership Cleaning Business
1988 to 1990 – retrained at School of Piano Technology, George Brown College, Diploma in Piano Technology (Honours),
1990 to date – Artemis Piano (partnership)
1997 – upgraded to become Registered Piano Technician (International Guild headquartered in Kansas City)
1999 to date – Concert technician and piano rebuilder
www.muskoka.com/artemispiano

Virginia Hastings- Videographer, Starshine Video Productions

Professional babysitter – “Boot Girl” at Hidden Valley Ski Area, Proshop Rental Counter - Raymond General Store: Everything, ice cream scooper, shelf stocker, Cashier - Snowboard Instructor, Hidden Valley Ski Area - Beverage Cart Hostess (aka Cart Tart) on the Highlands & Lake Side Golf Courses, Deerhurst Resort - Alpine Board Race Coach at Hidden Valley Ski Area - Dining Room Server at Diamond 'in the Ruff' Golf Course - Assistant to Talent Bookie for CD releases at HMV Superstore, Movie Extra (had an agent and did extra work in feature films)= Worst job I ever had!

January 2001: registered Starshine Video Productions - worked part time at Deerhurst as a Banquet Server – quit in January 2003 and have been running Starshine Video Productions full time ever since.

Neil Hutchinson – Aquatic Scientist

Non-career related jobs: ticket clerk at Arena – political flyer delivery – paper boy – landscaping labourer – camp counselor – Landscaper – printing press labourer – construction labourer – Ski Life Attendant – Bouncer – Bartender – concert Roadie

Career related (undergrad): Junior Forest Ranger – Creel Survey Technician (country fisherman) – Water Quality Technician (2 summers) – Environmental Consultant -

(Back to School): Lab Instructor (biology) – Proof Reader – Scientific Researcher in Water Pollution – Aquatic Scientist and Policy Developer (civil servant) – Environmental Consultant & Office Manager of 6 Ecologists for Gartner Lee Ltd., an Environmental Consulting Firm

Lynda Hutt – Program Coordinator, YWCA

Music Store Clerk – Dairy Farmer – School Teaching Assistant and Administrator – Statistician (counting inmates at Provincial jails) – Supply Teacher – Bookkeeper – Brant Inspector for beet farmers – Provided relief milking services for dairy farmers – Music Teacher – Assistant Director at Parks and Rec – Trainer in self-employment and business skills – Coordinator and Facilitator of life skills and business program at YWCA

Kim Irvine-Albano – Self-Employed Counselor & Reflexologist, YWCA Facilitator

Gossip Gazette deliverer, babysitter, snack bar attendant, bus girl, waitress (in country clubs, dance clubs, biker bars, family restaurants, and community hangout bar), inventory counter, bartender, camp counselor, library assistant, special needs worker – pilot project with kids with ADHD and their parents, editor of yearbook, incest survivor group assistant group facilitator, home care worker (children with autism, downs syndrome, and cerebral palsy), English teacher in Japan, Night shift worker in Women’s Shelter.  Child and Youth Counselor in Women’s Shelter, Outreach Counselor in Women’s Shelter (individual and group counseling, court support), Self-employed counselor, Self-employed reflexologist, YWCA Program Facilitator

Terry Ledger – Interior Designer (photo coming soon)

Short Order Cook – Waitress – Bartender - Georgian College: Fashion Merchandising (diploma) - Clothing Salesperson - Owner/Operator of a Flooring Store – Waitress/Cook – Housekeeper/Private Chef – Property Manager (private residence) – General Contractor - Georgian College:Interior Design 3yr (diploma) - Design Assistant – Owner/Operator T-Squared Design Studio (interior designer) - Nipissing University: BA Culture & the Arts - Co-Owner Fixtures (plumbing & hardware sales in conjunction with design business)

Hannah Lin – Visual Artist & YWCA Youth Program Coordinator

newpaper delivery – busperson – H&R Block Receptionist – camp counsellor – bartender – server at Jasper Park Lodge – cook – camp director (CISV)  - fundraiser, North Pacific Cannery Village Museum – assistant librarian – bookstore manager – fundraiser, Museum of Northern BC – sales (hardware, Queen Charlotte Islands) – visual arts coordinator – manager of an art supply store – arts administrator, Nelson Fine Art Centre – textile artist and instructor – Program Assistant, Bracebridge Culture and Recreation – Youth Program Coordinator

Brandon MacLean – Assistant Director of Outdoor Education

Corn de-tasseler, tobacco picker, tomato picker, Kentucky fried chicken cook, demolition crew, gas station attendant, ski tuner, disabled ski instructor, Personal care attendant, summer camp counselor, adventure coordinator for the disabled, children’s camp program coordinator (in New Zealand), ‘at risk’ youth program coordinator, Grounds keeper, facility host, Assistant director of Outdoor Education, Director of Year Round Ministries, Pioneer Camp. 

Dr. Kelly McIntosh - Chiropractor

Babysitter – Dickie Dee Ice Cream Vendor – Pro Shop Staff Golf Course – Technical Analyst at Hiram Walker (distillery of Canadian Club Whiskey) – Cashier at a grocery store – Personal Trainer in home-gyms – Chiropractor

Marcia Oliver - Lawyer

Babysitting, Veterinary Clinic Helper, Riding Instructor at YMCA day camp, Horse Show Groom, Braider of Manes and Tails, Grinder of Pine Needles for the Ontario Tree Improvement and Forest Biomass Institute (MNR), Mother’s Helper, Coordinator of Riding Day Camp, Policy Officer MTO, Enforcement Liaison Officer - MTO, Regional Information Officer – MTO, Head of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on  Air Brake Safety -MTO, Patrol Worker on MTO Maintenance Crew, Legal Researcher, Lawyer (Litigation)

Sally Hill Poupιe – Owner and import agent, Noble Cellars Wine Imports

Photo coming soon 

Mother’s helper – Camp Counsellor (handicapped children) – Registration assistant (Registrar’s Office, UofT) – Lab Assistant, kidney transplant research – Lab Assistant Biochemistry – Camp Counsellor (France) – Student Counsellor (UofT) – Associate Registrar (Counselling and Financial Aid) – Career Counsellor – Financial Aid Counsellor – Manager, Special Awards Programs – High School Liaison Officer (Financial Aid) – Student Recruitment Officer – Manager, International Student Recruitment – Retired – Wine Import Agent and business owner

Enid Powell – Private Counsellor

Assistant to music teacher – Toronto Star support staff –odd jobs i.e. copying materials for United Church of Canada & counting popsicle wrappers - university (BA social work) - community center social group worker – stay at home mother – clerk - program director at YWCA Woodstock – associate minister  - ran a women’s/family shelter- university student (at age 51 – double Masters in Social Work and Pastoral Counseling) - Children’s Mental Health Counselor – Retail Store Clerk – lay minister for Mactier Foot’s Bay United Church – Executive Director of S.A.I.L. – Therapist – Private Counselor/Clinical Social worker

James Solecki – Lighting Designer / Consultant / Contractor

Buggy Boy – Lighting Technician – Grocery Store Clerk – Short Order Cook – Security Guard – School Bus Driver – Truck Driver – Unemployed – Truck Driver – Telecom Technician – Data Entry Clerk – Money Market Broker – Environmental Home Assessor – Home Inspector – Truck Driver – Irrigation Installer – Truck Driver – Distribution Coordinator – Gas Jockey – Maintenance Technician – Warehouse Coordinator – Sales Manager – Route Sales – Lighting Designer/Consultant/Contractor

Pamela Steel -The Pamela Steel Group www.pamelasteel.net

Dairy Queen Braiser Girl (High School) - Waitress and Bartender, Toronto - Restaurant Manager, Toronto - Corporate Restaurant Manager - Restaurant Owner - Catering Company Owner – Chef - Food Writer (The Toronto Star and various Magazines) - Cookbook Author (10 cookbooks) - Corporate Spokesperson - Corporate Recipe Developer - Food Stylist – Teacher - Owner:  The Pamela Steel Group; The Art and Science of Food.

Jennifer Stolpmann

Day Camp counselor- Candy Striper - Canadian Tire Cashier - Clothing Retail Sales - Shoppers Drug Mart Clerk – Waitress – CN Tower tour guide - Ottawa Magazine Sales and Art Department - Backstage Security Ottawa Exhibition Concerts (including Tina Turner & David Bowie!)- Computer Peripheral Sales - Program Assistant at South Asia Partnership (NGO - International Development)- Volunteer Literacy Tutor – stay at home mom - The Wine Store Clerk – LCBO Clerk – Adult Literacy Instructor - Literacy Skills Assessor - Student and Mentor at Nipissing University - Yoga Instructor.

Alex Tilley – Founder / Owner Tilley Endurables, Inc.

Summer experience: pole digger with Ontario Hydro; smelter worker, then an underground worker with Inco.

Failed grade 12 and also 2 years at university; later fired by Bell Canada & the Bank of Nova Scotia. Unhireable, set up tutoring schools which went broke. Then an art rental/sales service for businesses which succeeded. Later made a hat as a hobby – which changed his life.

Julie Veitch - Employment Specialist

Lee Ann Waterman – Workshop Facilitator

Babysitter, sanding greeting cards at a printing place, Sunday school teacher, pouring soft drinks and promoting sour cream sales at Ponderosa, sales clerk at Simpson's, Sunday school teacher, mother, room attendant, head housekeeper, income tax preparer, checker, office manager, volunteer educational assistant, literacy instructor at adult education centre, grandmother, employment specialist,  public speaker (self-employed).

Cheryl Wood - Entrepreneur, Davis™ Dyslexia Facilitator

Babysitter, sales clerk at Home Hardware - sales clerk at Coles the Book Store - IBM (summers during University) -  volunteer on a Crisis Hot Line - wrote letters to inmates in jail - volunteer visits with the elderly - graduated from St. Thomas University (New Brunswick) BA in English and Psychology - accounting for construction company - a secretary in a weight loss clinic – waitress - graduated from College,  Accounting and Computers course – married – accounting (1 year) - sales at Coles - had two children -  daycare in my home (5 years) - front desk at Best Western - volunteer with the public school (ran the library 3 years) -  volunteer at a retirement home -  refinishing wood for a construction company -Certified as a Davis™ Dyslexia Facilitator - took the Women in Business course – now I run my own business called Deciphering Dyslexia.

Arfona Zwiers – Coordinator of Children’s Services, District of Muskoka, Community Services Department (photo coming soon)

Student jobs: babysitter, apple farm worker, camp counselor, library page in audio-visual dept, waitress, factory worker, English-language monitor
Student placements: community worker, homelessness worker
Career jobs:  Employee Relations Assistant, Community Development Worker, Home Visitor Supervisor, Career Advisor, Early Literacy Specialist, Coordinator of Children’s Services

Check back regularly for more speakers on our roster !

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