In this edition of Women in Business, women were interviewed who are employed in typically male-dominated industries or in a position that was historically filled by a man.
These women share their stories of being underrepresented in their field and leadership roles 91裸聊视频� in the hope that their perseverance and success become the guiding light for the next generation of women in business, so they continue to break glass ceilings and meet their goals.
Women in Business shows who the movers and the shakers are in Kelowna and that there is always a space to share stories of successful women.
Renee Merrifield was in the development industry for two years before she learned it was 91裸聊视频渕ale-dominated.91裸聊视频�
After working as a consultant for development companies in the Okanagan in the late 1990s, Merrifield decided to go out on her own, starting Troika Management Corporation. She excitedly broke the news to one of her former clients, who gave her a less than enthusiastic reaction.
The CEO-turned-MLA explained, 91裸聊视频淗e looked at me, and he said, 91裸聊视频榊ou91裸聊视频檒l never be as good of a developer as I am.91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�
Not due to a lack of knowledge or initiative; she had both in droves. Rather, it was 91裸聊视频渂ecause you91裸聊视频檙e a woman,91裸聊视频� the man told her.
Merrifield conjured up the only response she could.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檒l be a better developer than you could ever be because I actually use the kitchens that I91裸聊视频檓 about to design.91裸聊视频�
Over the next two decades, Troika grew into one of Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 largest development firms, and the Women91裸聊视频檚 Executive Network named Merrifield among Canada91裸聊视频檚 top 100 most powerful women three times.
91裸聊视频淚 never let gender be a deterrent.91裸聊视频�
It91裸聊视频檚 a mantra Merrifield sticks to. If a financial institution demands a male cosigner on a loan application, she finds a different bank. If men control a business circle, she finds a way in.
And, it91裸聊视频檚 something she91裸聊视频檚 taking into her new role in politics 91裸聊视频� another historically male-dominated scene.
Elected as MLA for Kelowna-Mission in October 2020, Merrifield has been on the job for just more than four months. She91裸聊视频檚 taken a half-step back from Troika, still serving as the company91裸聊视频檚 CEO, but appointing a new president to handle day-to-day operations.
A fresh-face in politics, she sees similar barriers to those she vaulted in the development industry. Taking over from long-time politician Steve Thompson, who served the office for 11 years before his retirement, Merrifield has noticed differences in how she91裸聊视频檚 treated compared to her predecessor and even her long-tenured local counterparts in Norm Letnick and Ben Stewart.
91裸聊视频淭he first call 91裸聊视频� is to a male who has been there for the last 10, 15 years rather than the female who91裸聊视频檚 brand new,91裸聊视频� she said, citing similar circles present during her time as a developer.
91裸聊视频淩egardless of where you go, as much as we want diversity to be normal 91裸聊视频� things are moved forward through the relationship. Oftentimes, gender-based relationships are difficult to interrupt.91裸聊视频�
But Merrifield is no slouch. Again doing everything she can to break norms, she91裸聊视频檚 taken on one of the BC Liberal Party91裸聊视频檚 most prominent positions as health critic, and there are early musings about her vying for party leadership when the time comes.
91裸聊视频淚 try to be a part of conversations; I try to make sure I have a significant impact, but also that I91裸聊视频檓 championing other women and championing what it should look like in the future regardless of what diversity is necessary.
91裸聊视频淚 believe that91裸聊视频檚 all of our roles 91裸聊视频� men or women 91裸聊视频� to be that voice and to be those champions for the next generation.91裸聊视频�
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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