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SIP Talks: Stories Inspire Passion
March 29 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
$70
Join the Canadian Federation of University Women Nelson & District, for a celebration of the collective spirit of Kootenay Women on Saturday, March 29th at Lakeside Prestige. Come hear how people find their passion and live it daily at SIP Talks: Stories Inspire Passion. All proceeds go toward our Scholarship Fund awarded to women at Selkirk College and LVR Secondary.
Seven local women will share their personal stories about what has inspired them to become the person they are today. There is nothing more exciting than meeting new people, sharing lived experience stories, and enjoying good food and beverage!
Speakers this year include:
• Katrine Conroy – first female to work at Celgar Pulp Mill, becoming a Power Engineer, an Early Childhood Educator, worked at Kootenay Family Place as an ECE and Executive Director, and as an instructor at Selkirk teaching ECE, was as elected as MLA since 2005 – recently retired MLA.
• Katrine Conroy – first female to work at Celgar Pulp Mill, becoming a Power Engineer, an Early Childhood Educator, worked at Kootenay Family Place as an ECE and Executive Director, and as an instructor at Selkirk teaching ECE, was as elected as MLA since 2005 – recently retired MLA.
• Cheryl Dowden – Executive Director at ANKORS, social justice advocate, community leader advocating for the vulnerable population, an avid traveler, outdoorsperson, and passionate about being a mom.
• Laura Landsberg – a rare vocalist who can cross all genres, highly respected member of the music community, 20 years vocal instructor at Selkirk College Contemporary Music & Technology Program, continues to perform in various musical projects.
• Slava Doval -a passionate, lifelong dance artist, choreographer and instructor. The founder and director of Dance Fusion, a Nelson-based dance school that has been in operation for sixteen years.
• Andrea Fox – Andrea is a certified nature-based therapist, environmental activist, outdoor educator, and wilderness guide. Fox received the 2024 Suzy Hamilton Legacy award for their passionate and dedicated work in protecting old growth forests and biodiversity. Andrea Fox founded Elemental Journeys and offers youth programs, primal skills workshops, adult wilderness retreats and one-on-one counselling. Fox brings curiosity and play to every exploration.
• Lena Horswill – community advocate & leader, originally from Malaysia, she immigrated to Canada at the age of 25 and began working with CUSO (an international development agency), former retired ED for Nelson Community Services and at present is Board Chair for Nelson City Police Board.
• Kate Armstrong – award-winning author of her memoir The Stone Frigate: The Royal Military College’s First Female Cadet Speaks Out, is passionate about writing and is currently pursuing a master’s in fine arts in Creative Writing at UBC, she is also an avid sailor/yachtsman and plans to race in the Atlantic.
The main goal of the event is to raise funds for the scholarships that we award to young women in our community who attend Selkirk College, and LV Rogers Secondary School in Nelson. Our club has a history of awarding scholarships for over 50 years.
Each ticket includes a glass of wine or other beverage, as well as an assortment of tapas and finger sandwiches.
Raffle tickets for some fabulous prizes will also be sold. Enter for your chance at a $400 cash prize, free night at the Prestige, a $200 Save-On grocery card, and $100 Kootenay Co-op True Local basket.
We thank our above mentioned sponsors along with our event sponsor this year, Fern Sabo with Spring Creative Inc.
We look forward to hosting you for a wonderful evening!
Doors open at 3:30pm, program begins at 4:00pm.
If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to us at nelsoncfuw@gmail.com.
Tickets are available at Otter Books or online at https://Siptalks2025.eventbrite.ca.
Complimentary tickets may be available, please inquire at nelsoncfuw@gmail.com
