Y.E.S! - Young Executives For Success

Annabel Aspler

Raised in Toronto, Annabel moved to Vancouver 6 years ago. With a background and professional accreditation in event and meeting planning, Annabel lends her skills volunteering for fundraising events thrown by the Parkinson's Society of British Columbia several times a year, including the annual national Superwalk fundraiser and their Gala Dinner. Annabel is currently working as a Convention Services Manager at the Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, where she has been for the past 2 years.

Amy Boyd

Amy’s professional experience spans more than ten years in the print/media and online retail industries. As a Senior Purchaser and a General Manager, Amy negotiated large supplier contracts for a leading media company and ran the day-to-day operations of an online business. She’s currently working on opening her own online Canadian retail store for new parents in the fall. Amy’s hobbies include photography, outdoor activities, and applying her skills in volunteer projects in the community.

Katrina Carroll-Foster

Katrina is currently the National Director of Marketing and Sales for Opus Hotel Vancouver and Montreal, Canada’s leading contemporary luxury boutique properties. Katrina started her career with Intrawest Resort Corporation, the world’s largest ski and summer resort operator in marketing and sales.

Katrina holds an honours degree from the University of Western Ontario in political science. Born in Washington, DC, Katrina currently lives in Vancouver. She is a former board member of Dress for Success, and is active in building the dynamic new Young Executives for Success. She has volunteered for UNICEF, and has conceived and executed a number of fundraisers. Katrina loves kayaking, skiing, and golf…and let’s not forget great fashion, food and wine.

Valerie Fernandez

Valerie Fernandez is the programs assistant with Dress for Success Vancouver. In the position she has established the first Dress for Success Career Centre in Canada, allowing clients access to, and support with, relevant computer applications. Valerie holds a degree from Simon Fraser University in Criminology and has previously volunteered with The Elizabeth Fry Society. In her free time Valerie likes to take on anything with a black diamond on her bike or board.

Michelle Neasmith

Michelle is a cardiovascular/allergy sales representative in the pharmaceutical industry. Her past experience as a registered nurse has helped tremendously in this new role. Michelle strongly believes in the importance of giving back to the community and feels Y.E.S! is a great way to help young individuals exploring the path to fulfillment and success.

Dorry Smith

Dorry Smith is an Epidemiologist at the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit located at BC Children's and Women's Health Centre. Past employment has included infectious disease epidemiology with MedMined Inc. and patient navigation with the American Cancer Society. In her free time, Dorry enjoys tennis, tap dancing, shopping and spending time with her husband and Wheaten Terrier, Benny.

Karen Treadgold

Born and raised in the Okanagan, Karen has lived in Vancouver, Ontario and Switzerland. The first 10 years of her working career was spent providing dental hygiene services in Vancouver and Zurich. On return from Europe, she worked for several years in the financial services industry with Freedom 55 Financial, where she had the satisfaction of working with professionals in the Dental and Fitness industries meeting their retirement and individual security needs. The motivation in providing financial security for her clients came from her passion for security, comfort, health and wellness.

Currently, Karen is an account executive for a leading software company. In her spare time she is pursuing her certification and training in the fitness industry.

Karen prides herself in her honest, outgoing and energetic nature that facilitates long-lasting relationships and is very excited to be involved in such a wonderful and worthwhile cause with such a great group of women.

Louise Weston

Louise is an Associate for Longview Communications, a Vancouver-based public relations firm specializing in corporate and financial communications. Louise’s current clients include Air Canada, CIBC and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.

Before joining Longview, Louise worked in PR in London and New York. She has an honours degree for Birmingham University, UK, and spent a year at the University of Los Angeles, California.

Louise is a Board Director of Dress for Success Vancouver and a graduate of Vancouver’s Leadership Vancouver program. Louise moved to Vancouver in 2005 and loves the west-coast lifestyle - you’ll find her on the slopes in the winter and paddling in a kayak in the summer.

Sara Hof

Sara is a Communications Officer at Transport Canada, a federal government department focusing on developing and administering policies, regulations and services for the best transportation system in Canada. Sara graduated from Simon Fraser University with a degree in Communications and Publishing.

In her free time, Sara loves to shop for bargains, and to wander around her hometown with her beloved iPod. She also enjoys volunteering as a shopper for Dress for Success.

Sarah Sharp

Sarah holds a degree in psychology and communications from Simon Fraser University. She is currently the National Coordinator of Data and Knowledge for Ray & Berndtson Canada, an international executive search firm.

Although born and raised in Vancouver, Sarah has also lived in the fast-paced East and the laid back South. She has previously volunteered with Scouts Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society. Sarah’s hobbies include travelling, swimming, softball and photography.

Karolyn Wootton

Karolyn is an Innovative Cultivator with Shervin Communications. Based in Burnaby, Shervin is a full-service graphic design and marketing studio working with clients such as HSBC Bank Canada, Fraser Health, Royal BC Museum and the BCIT Foundation. Before joining Shervin, Karolyn was part of the start up team and Art Director for 24 Hours Vancouver newspaper. She was previously the Assistant Art Director at The Calgary Sun primarily working with the marketing and advertising departments. Her past freelance design endeavors includes companies such as Preferred Alberta Liquor Stores, Air Miles, Hilton Vancouver Airport and Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel.

Karolyn is on a slowly-but-surely part-time pursuit for her BA degree in psychology. She can often be found dancing her heart out at Harbour School of Dance in a variety of jazz, ballet and lyrical dance classes.