As we celebrate International Women’s Day, this year’s theme of “Accelerate Action” is a perfect fit for our team, our culture, and our values. We took a moment to hear from some of the incredible women in our organization, asking them to share their insights, inspirations, and advice.
Their stories highlight not only their personal journeys but also how they see the importance of action—big and small—in driving equity forward in our workplace and beyond.
Meg Beretta, Digital Associate
Hometown: Cambridge, Ontario
What does “Accelerate Action” mean to you?
” It means taking small, action focused steps to make gender equality a reality..”
Who inspires you?
“Dame Stephanie “Steve” Shirley, who founded one of the world’s first software companies in the 1960s, championed flexible jobs for women balancing careers in computers and having kids, and later, became a renowned philanthropist, particularly for children with disabilities, and the study of the Internet. She founded and funded the Oxford Internet Institute!”
Career Advice to Younger Self:
“Explore career options even more—and if life prevents you with a cool opportunity overseas, in another province, or doing something ‘weird’, take it while you can!”
Fun Fact:
“Women didn’t have the right in Canada to open their own credit card until 1974.”
Grace Buckel, Analyst
Hometown: Borden, Ontario
What does “Accelerate Action” mean to you?
“It means recognizing the unique privilege I hold as a consultant working on government healthcare initiatives and using that privilege to amplify the voices of women who are often left out of the conversation.”
Who inspires you?
“One woman who has always inspired me is Professor Mary Sweatman. Mary is an exceptional teacher who facilitates critical thinking for how systems are designed, who they are designed for, and what an inclusive and equitable future could look like.”
Career Advice to Younger Self:
“Never be afraid to advocate for what you deserve!”
Fun Fact:
“If my math is right, 70% of Davis Pier’s leadership team is made up of women — and that’s something to celebrate.”
Lara Buys, Analyst
Hometown: Mount Uniacke
What does “Accelerate Action” mean to you?
“It means actively working to accommodate diverse needs in the workplace – whether that is accommodating lifestyle needs, religious/cultural practices, different forms of communication, different workspaces/environment, etc.”
Who inspires you?
“I have always admired women who break the norm of what was expected/accepted before them.”
Career Advice to Younger Self:
“Accept that every new opportunity is a chance to learn and grow. Even the roles that feel like a step away from your purpose (work that means something and makes a difference) are a chance to learn a new skill or connect with new people that will help you find the right place in the long run.”
Shruti Deivanayagam, Analyst
Hometown: Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
What does “Accelerate Action” mean to you?
“It means seeing more women at Leadership, at workplace, as well as in the political landscape. Where women are not only given a fair shot but not judged every step of the way..”
Who inspires you?
“I am going to by the cliche of my ‘mom’! She is Vice Principal at a government school and taught Accountancy for 36 years.”
Career Advice to Younger Self:
“It’s okay to take a step back and reboot.”
Fun Fact:
“I am trained in Indian Classical Music. This was because my mom wanted to learn music and so needed to take me and my sister along and eventually convinced the music teacher to give us 3-person package discount!”
Zahra Dhubow, Analyst
Hometown: Born in Vancouver, raised in Ottawa
What does “Accelerate Action” mean to you?
“One meaningful way I’ve seen progress in supporting women in the workplace is by intentionally creating space for other voices to be heard so that everyone has equal opportunity to showcase their ideas, talents, and abilities!”
Who inspires you?
“All the women I hold in my life like my sisters, my mother, and my friends shape and inspire me. Most importantly, my niece motivates me to persevere so she can grow up in a world where equity is a priority.”
Career Advice to Younger Self:
“Be your true self no matter what. Sticking to who you are opens up the right doors!”
Fun Fact:
“The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell, which is inherited from your mother (a woman) and there’s something beautifully poetic about that!”
Jenna Levangie, Analyst
Hometown: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
What does “Accelerate Action” mean to you?
“It means moving the needle forward with intentional progress! I see it being actioned at Davis Pier every day when leadership provides opportunities for female leaders in our firm to showcase their skills, talents, and challenge the norm.”
What did you want to be when you grew up?
“A consultant, duh! Just kidding…I dreamed of being a professional singer or actress…but consulting turned out to be way more my style.”
Career Advice to Younger Self:
“Confidence can be hard to find, especially early on in your career. Trust in your abilities and know that your perspective is valuable — don’t shy away from speaking up and taking risks!”
Katie Newcombe, Director of People & Culture
Hometown: Waynesboro, Virginia
What does “Accelerate Action” mean to you?
“To me, it serves as a powerful reminder that we still have a long way to go in truly valuing women worldwide. We need women from all backgrounds and experiences to continue showcasing the immense value we bring to every space.”
What did you want to be when you grew up?
“A psychologist!”
Career Advice to Younger Self:
“Stop undervaluing yourself—especially as women, we can feel pressured to be agreeable or stay quiet. But we are here because our thoughts and perspectives matter. By not sharing them, we do a disservice not only to ourselves but also to those around us..”
Shaune MacKinlay, Chief of Staff and Director of Strategic Initiatives
Hometown: Halifax
What does “Accelerate Action” mean to you?
“Talking can be circular, action has direction. I am impressed by the Davis Pier bias toward action and the sheer volume of impressive work that is accomplished here by this diverse, talented team.”
Who inspires you?
“Michelle Obama – smart, accomplished, insightful, fierce, and the epitome of grace.”
Career Advice to Younger Self:
“You have time, use it.”
Career Advice to Younger Self:
“Don’t take yourself so seriously—you can grow and succeed while having fun along the way.”
Raquel Rosas, Associate
Hometown: Lisboa (Lisbon), Portugal
What does “Accelerate Action” mean to you?
“It reflects the need for a shift from passive acknowledgment of gender issues to active, strategic interventions to foster an inclusive and equitable work environment.”
Career Advice to Younger Self:
“Don’t doubt yourself or diminish your capabilities—you got this.”
Fun Fact:
“In my country, it’s standard for children to take their father’s last name. However, my last name (Rosas, or Roses in English) has a unique twist—it originated from a woman. My grandfather never met his father, so he was given his mother’s last name instead. Right now, I’m the last woman in my family to carry this matrilineal last name, as all other family members with this last name are men.”
Nathalie Vogel, Associate
Hometown: Atlin, BC
What does “Accelerate Action” mean to you?
“Accelerate Action means more celebration and acknowledgement of women in leadership positions and more transparency around growth, development and compensation discrepancies between male and female staff. At Davis Pier this shows up as more women are promoted, and in the women that are already in leadership positions.”
Who inspires you?
“My grandma ‘Bunky’ inspires me daily. She had a successful career as an OT, raised 5 kids as a single mom, and continues to have a zest for life, travelling, learning new instruments, making pottering and kayaking even in her 90’s.”
Career Advice to Younger Self:
“You can continue to change your mind a million times until you find what you love.”
Amandah Woods, Associate
Hometown: Mayfield, PEI
What does “Accelerate Action” mean to you?
“It means to actually do something instead of talking in circles about doing something. I see it all the time with our project work helping clients actually implement after years of consultations and/or studies. When we say we will be doing something by x date, we do it.”
Who inspires you?
“Because I am in the middle of it, all the women with young children. Watching them kick butt every day, being superstars at the office, and still being an involved parent is something I’m working on. It’s hard, and they make it look almost effortless!”
Career Advice to Younger Self:
“Don’t worry as much about the degree subject and rely more on your soft skills to excel. Take the leaps even if you aren’t sure, you’ve got the full skillset!”
Fun Fact:
“I got into Mensa two days after giving birth to my son (took the exam 30 weeks pregnant!)”
Celebrating the Women of Davis Pier
We know that true equity comes from action—from amplifying women’s voices, to creating opportunities for meaningful leadership and development. International Women’s Day is both a celebration and a call to keep pushing forward, ensuring that our workplace is one where everyone can thrive.
We are proud to work alongside so many brilliant, compassionate, and innovative women who make our team stronger every day. We recommit to accelerating action—not just on International Women’s Day, but every single day.
