08 - Speak Up & Rise: Jessica Dumas on Mastering Public Speaking & Leadership
The Exec Hotseat Podcast [Executive]
Release Date: 04/11/2025
22 - Flipping the Script: Zak Biggs on Human-First Marketing, Legal Brand Building, and Turning Lawyers Into Influencers
The Exec Hotseat Podcast [Executive]
Executive Hotseat Podcast | Episode 22 Featuring: Zak Biggs, Director of Marketing, Goodlawyer This isn’t your average legal story. From pounding lawns in high school with his future co-founder to leading the marketing charge for one of Canada's boldest legal tech startups, Zak Biggs is helping Goodlawyer rewrite the rulebook - by being unapologetically human. In this episode, Zak shares how a small team of friends turned a stiff, suit-heavy industry into a platform for community, storytelling, and straight-up joy. From cinchilla fleece vests to yacht parties, Zak walks us through how...
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21 - Redefining the Salon Model: April Brown on Scalable Business, Franchise Strategy, and Joyful Leadership
The Exec Hotseat Podcast [Executive]
Executive Hotseat Podcast | Episode 21 | Calgary Series Featuring: April Brown, Founder & Visionary behind Rootbar From playing with Barbies to founding one of the most innovative salon concepts in Canada, April Brown has always had a vision and she’s making it real. In this episode, April shares how Rootbar was born during COVID as a response to time-starved clients and outdated models. But this isn’t just about beauty - it’s about building a business where stylists lead, grow, and co-own their future. With a rotating leadership structure, a franchise-ready system, and a deep...
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20 - From Burnout to Botanicals: Harman Dhaliwal & Gabby Zoppa on Partnership, Perseverance, and Ayurvedic Wisdom
The Exec Hotseat Podcast [Executive]
Executive Hotseat Podcast | Episode 20 Featuring: Harman Dhaliwal & Gabrielle Zoppa, Co-Founders of Spa Botanica What happens when two near-strangers launch a wellness spa with no money, no safety net, and no backup plan? You get Spa Botanica - one of Winnipeg’s most beloved spas, built on Ayurvedic principles, natural skincare, and unshakable trust. Harman and Gabby didn’t just grow a business. They weathered a pandemic, rebuilt after a fire, and raised kids from the spa floor - literally. Through years of reinvention, they’ve stayed grounded in their shared vision: to bring ancient...
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19 - Christine Thiessen on Building Canada’s Largest Women’s Conference
The Exec Hotseat Podcast [Executive]
Episode 19 | Christine Thiessen, Founder of the Winnipeg Women’s Conference & Community What started as an idea during lockdown is now Canada’s largest women’s conference. In this episode, Christine Thiessen shares how trusting her gut (while pregnant, no less), ignoring the naysayers, and leaning on her love for Excel turned a vision into a movement. As the driving force behind both the Winnipeg Women’s Conference and its thriving year-round Community, Christine opens up about the power of authentic connection, the challenge of being the one others look up to, and the magic that...
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18 - Your Idea Is Enough: Jane Helbrecht & Margaux Miller on TEDx Talks, Storytelling, and Building a Speaking Career
The Exec Hotseat Podcast [Executive]
Episode 18 | Your Idea Is Enough: Jane Helbrecht & Margaux Miller on TEDx Talks, Storytelling, and Building a Speaking Career In this episode of Executive Hotseat, we sit down with two globally recognized speakers - Jane Helbrecht, leadership expert and founder of Uplift Engagement, and Margaux Miller, TED-featured MC and connection strategist - to unpack how they each built and delivered standout TEDx talks that captured global attention. Their journeys are woven with grit, stagecraft, and community. Jane speaks about disrupting leadership norms and helping teams thrive, while Margaux...
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17 - Partnerships with Purpose: Todd Burns & Terry Sulphur on Clean Tech, Collaboration & Stewardship
The Exec Hotseat Podcast [Executive]
Episode 17 | RRC Polytech Alumni Series episode 6 Todd Burns of Cypher Environmental and Terry Sulpher of Mountainside Earthworks share how a single project sparked a two-decade partnership that’s now transforming how Canada thinks about sustainability. From Red River Polytech beginnings to global clean-tech impact, this conversation dives into education, innovation, and the relationships that make real change possible. Lisa Thompson guides a conversation filled with insight, gratitude, and vision — exploring why aligning values matters more than any contract, how education drives...
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16 - From Band Stages to Story Stages: Doug Darling on Strategic Storytelling, Niching with Purpose, and Process that Frees Creativity
The Exec Hotseat Podcast [Executive]
Executive Hotseat Podcast - Episode 16 | RRC Polytech Alumni Series - Episode 5 Featuring: Doug Darling, CEO and Executive Creative Director, Tripwire Media Group Doug’s friends tease him for talking about story all the time. He wears it as a badge. In this conversation, Doug traces a very Winnipeg arc: meeting his future wife at RRC Polytech, launching a small video outfit in the Exchange during the DSLR wave, and steadily evolving into a Strategic Storytelling agency that trains leaders to communicate with clarity and heart. The throughline is purpose, backed by the art and...
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15 - Speaking Truth, Leading Boldly: Natalie Bell on Presence, Power, and People-First Leadership
The Exec Hotseat Podcast [Executive]
The Exec Hotseat Podcast | Episode 15 Featuring: Natalie Bell, Founder of Natalie Bell Consulting Amanda Buhse and Lisa Thompson sit down with Natalie Bell, Founder of Natalie Bell Consulting, for a powerful conversation about leadership, authenticity, and the power of using your voice with purpose. With over 25 years of experience in People & Culture, Natalie shares how speaking from lived experience — especially as a Black woman in HR and leadership spaces — has shaped her approach to coaching, consulting, and building workplaces that actually work for people. From...
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14 - From Brow Queen to Resilient Mentor: How Giovanna Minenna Rose Beyond Cancel Culture to Build with Strategy, Spirituality, and Soul
The Exec Hotseat Podcast [Executive]
Show Notes The Exec Hotseat Podcast | Episode 14 Featuring: Giovanna Minenna, Founder of Brows by G In Episode 3 of our RRC Polytech Alumni Series, Amanda Buhse and Lisa Thompson sit down with Giovanna Minenna — the original Brows by G. Brow queen. Beauty mogul. And now, for the first time ever, unfiltered truth-teller. CANCEL CULTURE. DRAGONS’ DEN. ANONYMOUS ACCOUNTS. You’ve heard the whispers. You’ve seen the headlines. Now, you’ll hear her side. From building a seven-figure beauty brand and landing on Dragon’s Den, to becoming the target of the viral NotMyBrowsByG account...
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13 – From Marketing Maven to Mission-Driven Founder: How Justine McDonald is Helping Women Reclaim Their Time, Confidence, and Dreams
The Exec Hotseat Podcast [Executive]
The Exec Hot Seat Podcast | Episode 13 Featuring: Justine McDonald, Founder of Goal Chasers & Stay at Home Legends In this 2nd episode of our RRC Polytech Alumni Series, Amanda Buhse and Lisa Thompson sit down with Justine McDonald - an RRC Polytech alum, former marketing manager, and the magnetic force behind Goal Chasers and Stay at Home Legends. What began with a viral planner and a chaotic post-conference breakdown has since evolved into a movement: helping women simplify their businesses, build success on their terms, and reclaim time, autonomy, and ambitio without burning out....
info_outlineIn this inspiring episode, hosts Lisa Thompson (BRD | Brand Revival & Design Inc.) and Amanda Buhse (Coal & Canary) welcome Jessica Dumas - a trailblazer in public speaking, speaker coaching, and leadership development. Jessica shares her powerful journey from overcoming personal doubts and imposter syndrome to becoming the first Indigenous woman to chair a chamber of commerce. With an impressive career that spans award-winning speaking engagements, a robust coaching practice, and hosting two dynamic podcasts, Jessica delivers actionable advice that both emerging and seasoned leaders can use to elevate their communication and confidence.
About Jessica Dumas:
Jessica is a professional speaker, speaker coach, and the host of both Speaking Up with Jessica Dumas on NCI FM and The Confidence and Communication Podcast. Among her accolades, she is a recipient of the Manitoba 150 Women Trailblazer Nellie McLung Foundation Award, has been recognized as one of Manitoba’s top 40 under 40, and has led transformative initiatives as chair of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. Her story, from growing up in a challenging neighborhood to taking the stage and inspiring others is a testament to resilience, authenticity, and the power of showing up even when fear looms.
In This Episode, Jessica Dumas Discusses:
Her Journey & Leadership:
• Becoming the first Indigenous woman to chair a chamber of commerce and the lessons learned along the way.
• The challenges of stepping into leadership roles and overcoming the “I don’t belong” mindset with consistent practice and courage.
Public Speaking Mastery:
• Techniques for transforming nervous energy into powerful, authentic presentations.
• Strategies such as deep breathing, visualization, and EFT tapping to calm nerves and maintain presence on stage.
• Tips to prepare for speaking engagements - knowing your default speech patterns and intentionally adjusting them to enhance clarity and engagement.
Money Manifestation & Mindset:
• Jessica’s unique take on money manifestation that involves trusting the process and staying committed without obsessing over numbers.
• Practical exercises to shift mindset, including the importance of inner work, journaling, and replacing limiting beliefs with empowering affirmations.
Networking & Connection:
• The art of effective networking by focusing more on genuine questions and building connections rather than self-promotion alone.
• How asking the right questions can flip the script from discomfort to meaningful engagement at events and board meetings.
Mentorship and Growth:
• The value of investing in yourself and learning from mentors, accessing professional coaching, and using feedback to continuously evolve.
• The role that overcoming personal challenges plays in shaping authentic leadership and entrepreneurial success.
Jessica’s Top Takeaways for Aspiring Leaders & Entrepreneurs:
- Trust Your Intuition: Follow your inner calling even when it defies conventional norms.
- Embrace Vulnerability: Sharing your fears and authentic self paves the way for genuine connection and growth.
- Leverage Professional Support: Don’t hesitate to work with experts (lawyers, accountants, therapists) to build a stable foundation for your endeavors.
Guest’s Links & Podcasts:
> Listen to The Confidence and Communication Podcast where Jessica dives deeper into her journey and shares actionable insights for speakers and leaders.
> Check out Speaking Up with Jessica Dumas on NCI FM for more leadership and public speaking wisdom.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsor:
A big shout-out to our 2025 presenting sponsor, RRC Polytech. Their support makes this conversation, and many more, possible!
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