Trans Canada Stories

This episode we’re featuring an interview with Terri McDowell (She/Her), who has built a career working in a traditionally male dominated industry. As an award-winning trans woman, who rose to the C-Suite level on her own terms, Terri reflects on her growth both professionally and personally.
Terri is a Senior Tax Partner with EY: Ernst Young. Globally, EY has a presence in 183 countries and has almost 450,000 employees based around the globe. Firstly, we are NOT talking tax on this episode.

What can employers can do to create a professional services firm where people feel safe to show-up as their authentic self everyday?

Cyn first met Terri in 2022, at the National 2SLGBTQIA+ Chamber of Commerce Awards, where Terri won Business Leader of the Year. Terri is Partner/Principal at EY in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and her recognition as Business Leader of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce underscores the significance of representation and visibility for marginalized communities in leadership positions, serving as a role model for others.

During this interview, you’ll hear Terri's insights on transitioning while building her career and moving from surviving to thriving.

Our conversation highlights several key Topics:

1. Key principle for anchoring a corporate business inclusion strategy.
2. Balancing Professional and Community Engagement.
3. Inclusive Leadership: Terri's experiences as a trans woman in various professional settings and creating welcoming work environments for all employees, regardless of gender identity or expression.
4. nuances of cultural dNA and trans inclusion.
5. Career Development and Diversity of Experience.
6. Building Allyships and the importance of finding common ground.

Show Notes:
Connect with Terri on LinkedIn.
The 2SLGBTQIA+ Chamber of Commerce
The Tax Foundation

Today's TD Connected Community Moment:
Be a guest. Tell us who you'd like to hear on an upcoming episode. Share with us the trans-forward topics most important to you. We would love to hear from you and it's easy to engage. You will NOT be added to any emailing lists; infact, participation is anonymous! Share with us here.
#TD

For more information on Simply Good Form, follow this link: https://www.simplygoodform.com/

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This podcast is created by Simply Good Form, with production assistance and editing from Podstarter.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm

Trans Canada Stories is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.

Welcome to Trans Canada Stories!

In this episode, hosts Emma (she/her) and Cynthia (she/her) talk about the reason behind this podcast, and how they came to know each other. The two also have a conversation on the subject of transitioning as a process, the importance of being able to access gender affirming care, and the role of the queer community as a support resource.

Emma shares a beautiful story about her own transition, recalling how the experience drew her closer to not only her community, but to her mother as well.

Later in the show, Emma and Cyn speak with Felix Vandergrift (He/Him). Felix is a researcher and works in governmental relations. He is an active advocate for TGNB rights, access to gender affirming healthcare, supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, harm reduction and human rights.

Felix recently underwent top surgery in Dartmouth thanks to the plastics team at the QEII and is continuing to push for more access to better gender affirming care for all TGNB folks in the province.

Felix's Literature Review
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w93LegmDGp-NjYUpMIq96g_mhMe6gF_WK-7cMnkCMzY/edit

TD Connected Community Moment
Trans Canada Stories are your stories, and we want to know what you want to hear. Follow this link to fill out our Google Doc form and let us know what you want from this podcast!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5FM151Ud0q-I3V_EoDii5c600DVf-a-_Y9BYf1dd366cdsw/viewform

For more information on Simply Good Form, follow this link: https://www.simplygoodform.com/

Find us on:

• Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SimplyGoodForm/)
• Twitter (@simplygoodform)
• Instagram (@simplygoodform)
• LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/)

This podcast is created by Simply Good Form, with production assistance and editing from Podstarter.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm

Trans Canada Stories is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.

Hosts: Emma Stanley (She/Her) and Cyn Sweeney (She/Her)
Producer: Connor Sampson (He/Him) podstarter.io

Join us for an exciting journey in Episode 5 of Trans Canada Stories, titled 'Equitable Horizons: Conversations on Workplace Inclusion'! In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome B Adair (he/they), a fresh addition to the SGF Inclusion team. B shares their inspiring journey from navigating the challenging anti-trans climate in Alberta to embracing new horizons on the East Coast of Canada.

Get ready for an engaging discussion as we delve into topics ranging from beachcombing adventures to the vital concept of privilege, and why equity work is beneficial for everyone. Plus, we tackle burning questions about inclusive forms and the imperative to redefine professionalism in the workplace.

But wait, there's more! We absolutely adore hearing from our listeners, and during our TD Connected Community Moment, we extend an invitation for you to send in your questions. Your queries might just be featured in our next episode of Trans Canada Stories!

Let's embark on this enlightening journey together! 🎙️✨

TD Connected Community Moment
Don't miss out—share your questions with us right here: https://forms.gle/e4mUyfaQEwWRftC77
We'll include answers in an upcoming episode!

For more information on Simply Good Form, follow this link: https://www.simplygoodform.com/

Find us on:

• Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SimplyGoodForm/)
• Twitter (@simplygoodform)
• Instagram (@simplygoodform)
• LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/)

This podcast is created by Simply Good Form, with production assistance and editing from Podstarter.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm

Trans Canada Stories is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.

Hosts: Emma Stanley (She/Her) and Cyn Sweeney (She/Her)

In anticipation of Shelley Thompson's novel Roar hitting shelves, Emma and Cyn take the opportunity to learn more about the process behind the publication of this fiercely anticipated novel. This episode, we're taking a peek into the world of sensitivity reading, and the sorts of insights this process gives to authors looking to properly represent marginalized communities in their works of fiction.

Emma and Cyn are joined by Ronnie Ali, a Registered Psychotherapist, Diversity and Wellness Consultant in the arts and entertainment production, a Trauma-Informed Practice Specialist with Challenge Accepted, and Clinical Supervisor at the Toronto Institute for Relational Psychotherapy. Due to these exceptional qualifications and her insightful nature, Ronnie was chosen to be a sensitivity reader for Roar, and worked closely with Shelley Thompson to deliver a narrative that felt respectful, gripping, and authentic to the trans experience.

Outside of her work as a sensitivity reader, Ronnie focuses on ending cycles of violence by addressing the roots of oppression and discrimination through research, psychoeducation, social programming, mindfulness training, and consultation services. The majority of the clients at her practice are trans and gender non-conforming. Ronnie identifies as a trans woman of colour and an immigrant settler in Turtle Island.

Order your copy of Shelley Thompson's Roar
Follow this link to order from the publisher: https://nimbus.ca/store/roar.html

TD Connected Community Moment
Here are a couple of book recommendations from our guest, Ronnie. Both are written by trans BIPOC femmes. Check them out:

• From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom
  https://arsenalpulp.com/News/2020/LISTEN-Julie-Andrews-reads-from-From-the-Stars-in-the-Sky-to-the-Fish-in-the-Sea-by-Kai-Cheng-Thom-for-Julie-s-Library
• Zom-Fam by Kama La Mackerel
  https://metonymypress.com/shop/books/zom-fam-la-mackerel/

For more information on Simply Good Form, follow this link: https://www.simplygoodform.com/

Find us on:

• Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SimplyGoodForm/)
• Twitter (@simplygoodform)
• Instagram (@simplygoodform)
• LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/)

This podcast is created by Simply Good Form, with production assistance and editing from Podstarter.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm

Trans Canada Stories is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.

Hosts: Emma Stanley (She/Her) and Cyn Sweeney (She/Her)
Producer: Connor Sampson (He/Him) podstarter.io

Few Webcomics have been as prolific and long-running as Assigned Male, the brainchild of trans Québécois cartoonist Sophie Labelle. First releasing in October of 2014, Assigned Male portrays life through the eyes of a trans middle schooler named Stephie who alternately makes light of, and chafes under the realities of growing up a transgender child in a cisgender world. The webcomic series is still ongoing.

In 2017, Labelle first squared off against the rising tide of anti-trans and fringe-right haters, when a book reading for her new comic, Dating Tips for Trans and Queer Weirdos, was cancelled under threats of violence. During this time, Labelle received death threats and was doxxed, which would ultimately lead to her resettling with her partner in Finland, where she lives today. In the wake of these events, however, Labelle's audience expanded rapidly across Canada and the world. Today, she has more readers and supporters than ever before.

To see Sophie's work, or to purchase one of her books, visit her website at https://www.serioustransvibes.com/

TD Connected Community Moment
For a chance to win a signed copy of one of Sophie Labelle's books, follow this link and fill out the form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiXNtHEfun9GeOwTQs_vnf7ahZurKtjfkIu9VTfUxE0pIbkA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Contest runs until January 6.

For more information on Simply Good Form, follow this link: https://www.simplygoodform.com/

Find us on:

• Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SimplyGoodForm/)
• Twitter (@simplygoodform)
• Instagram (@simplygoodform)
• LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/)

This podcast is created by Simply Good Form, with production assistance and editing from Podstarter.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm

Trans Canada Stories is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.

Hosts: Emma Stanley (She/Her) and Cyn Sweeney (She/Her)
Producer: Connor Sampson (He/Him) podstarter.io