View in browser Hi Reader, It feels good to sit down and write the very first Backyard Gossip of 2026. Our travels to Belgium were really special. If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, especially when living between countries, it’s this: time together has to be quality time. We organize our visits so we can truly be present, and we love sharing experiences rather than rushing from place to place. So that’s exactly what we did. We shared moments with friends and family, went to a...
8 days ago • 1 min read
View in browser Hi Reader, Last week, I shared how Black Friday overwhelm pushed me into a much-needed moment of reflection, a pause to reconnect with my values and how I want to show up. Well… that reflection didn’t stop there. A few days later, I had a conversation with dear friends about letting go, and someone shared something I had heard before but never really felt until now: 2025 is a Year Nine. A year of completion. 2026 is a Year One. A fresh start. Now, I’m not an expert in...
29 days ago • 1 min read
View in browser Hi Reader, Last week, you didn’t hear from me.Not because I forgot.Not because I didn’t have something to say. But because I felt overwhelmed, the kind of overwhelmed that sneaks up quietly. Black Friday and Cyber Monday took over my inbox.Hundreds of emails, deals, countdowns, pressure, noise. And something about it pulled me into a pause. We’re living in a world that invites us to care about sustainability, minimalism, and slowing down, yet at the same time bombards us with...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
View in browser Hi Reader, On one of my morning walks this week, I came across a rock with a quote painted on it: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” W. James And this inspired today's email because the way you prioritize makes a huge difference in how you handle deadlines. Because the quickest path to overwhelm isn’t a full schedule… It’s a schedule where everything feels equally important. And the past months reminded me of that in a very real way. With the start of a new...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
View in browser Hi Reader, If I had to describe the past ten days in one word, it would be: conversations. Between🎓 MBA team assignments🎤 planning the Build Your Personal Brand event🧭 Career Studio projects📚 French classes🎒 new semester chaos🌿 coaching calls…and regular life on top of it all, it’s been a week full of communication. But not just communication with others. This week reminded me how much of leadership starts with the conversations we have with ourselves. Let me share a moment I...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
View in browser Hi Reader, Last week, I promised I’d walk you through some stories and tips about planning. So, let’s start with a confession: I used to tell myself a very convincing lie… 👉 “I work better under pressure.” It sounded good. It even felt true at times.But here’s the thing... it was rubbish 💩And today, I’ll tell you why it’s time to ditch that belief once and for all. When you’re working solo, you might get away with it. You can leave things to the last minute, ride the...
2 months ago • 2 min read
View in browser Hi Reader, Vancouver Island University recently hosted the BC MBA Games 2025, and the energy was incredible. Hundreds of MBA students from across the province came together to compete, collaborate, and connect. I had the privilege of being part of the organizing committee, a group that worked quietly behind the scenes for months to make it all happen. It was inspiring to be there, to feel the buzz of so many driven students, but it also reminded me of something that reaches...
2 months ago • 1 min read
View in browser Hi Reader, How has your week been? The weather in this part of the world has been a bit chilly lately, and yes, we’ve had our share of rain too ☔️ Perfect days to stay inside, read a book, and be cozy (I'm really good at doing that 😃). It made me think back to our first summer here in Canada, when we spent so many moments out sailing. If there’s one thing sailing has taught me, it’s that you rarely go in a straight line. The wind isn’t always in your favour. You adjust your...
3 months ago • 1 min read
View in browser Hi Reader, This past week has been filled with conversations, organizing committees, team meetings, new projects… but also a simple conversation. We often think transformation comes from big events or dramatic breakthroughs ⛓️💥 But more often, it begins with a simple conversation (and a nice latte that goes with it ☕️)! The other day, I was chatting with a friend about life, you know, one of those unplanned, heart-to-heart talks that seem to happen when you least expect them....
3 months ago • 1 min read