Growth Work: The Professional and Personal

05/09/24 • 37 min

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:

Key principle for anchoring a corporate business inclusion strategy.
Balancing Professional and Community Engagement.
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.
nuances of cultural dNA and trans inclusion.
Career Development and Diversity of Experience.
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/

Get Social:
Creators & Guests

Cyn Sweeney - Host
Emma Stanley - Host
Terri McDowell - Guest
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SimplyGoodForm/)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm
Trans Canada Stories is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.
Check out the gender affirming children's story, based on a true story, 'The Pink Balloon'. Available on Amazon.
For more information on Simply Good Form, follow this link: https://www.simplygoodform.com/

Trans Canada Stories is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.

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

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:

Key principle for anchoring a corporate business inclusion strategy.
Balancing Professional and Community Engagement.
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.
nuances of cultural dNA and trans inclusion.
Career Development and Diversity of Experience.
Building Allyships and the importance of finding common ground.

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

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

Get Social:
Creators & Guests

Cyn Sweeney - Host
Emma Stanley - Host
Terri McDowell - Guest
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SimplyGoodForm/)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm
Trans Canada Stories is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.
Check out the gender affirming children's story, based on a true story, 'The Pink Balloon'. Available on Amazon.
For more information on Simply Good Form, follow this link: https://www.simplygoodform.com/

Trans Canada Stories is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.

Previous Episode

Equitable Horizons: Conversations on Workplace Inclusion

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/

Get Social:
Creators & Guests

SGF Inclusion - Producer
Cyn Sweeney - Host
Emma Stanley - Host
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SimplyGoodForm/)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm
Trans Canada Stories is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.
Check out the gender affirming children's story, based on a true story, 'The Pink Balloon'. Available on Amazon.
For more information on Simply Good Form, follow this link: https://www.simplygoodform.com/
Trans Canada Stories is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.

Next Episode

AccessAbility Week and Toilet Talk with Michelle Mahoney

Trans Canada Stories is about sharing trans stories and celebrating trans people and allies, from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
In episode 7 'AccessAbility Week and Toilet Talk', we’re shaking it up a little, in the spirit of celebrating equity and inclusion.

This week is National AccessAbility Week!

The theme of this year's Accessibility Week is Forward Together: AccessAbility and Inclusion for All.
It runs nationally from Sunday, May 26 to Saturday, June 1, 2024, to celebrate:

the valuable contributions and leadership of persons with disabilities in Canada
the work of allies, organizations and communities that are removing barriers
ongoing efforts to become a more accessible and disability inclusive Canada

Physical accessibility is a major component of inclusion work, but we always have to consider less obvious barriers to creating welcoming environments. Today, we’ve called in an expert, and she’s unstoppable when it comes to her valuable contributions and leadership, advocating for accessibility, life and laughter.

Michelle Mahoney was born with a condition that limited mobility in her arms, hands, and knees, and she was born with clubbed feet and a dislocated hip. The doctors told her parents she would probably never walk.

Flash forward to 1995 ... when Michelle graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with what she likes to refer to as a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Independence. After working at Dalhousie University for 23 years, Michelle now sits on the Board of Directors for Easter Seals Nova Scotia, and Easter Seals Board of Canada as the Nova Scotia representative.
She is also the Accessibility Officer at University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Michelle is an avid surfer, enjoys downhill skiing, and waterskiing, and enjoys spending time with her husband, family, friends, and her dog, Gus and in this episode we're talking about accessibility both visible and invisible and the inequities of needing to pee.

Show Notes:
Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn.
Thank you to TD Bank Group for making stories like these possible.
Red Shirt Day: https://redshirtday.org/about-us/
Easter Seals Nova Scotia: https://easterseals.ns.ca/
Easter Seals Canada: https://easterseals.ca/en/
Today's TD Connected Community Moment:

Red Shirt Day:
https://www.facebook.com/share/tbhVf9YZLzRpfiEV/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Red Shirt Day of Action for Access Ability and Inclusion is a day when people across Canada come together and wear red to create a visible display of solidarity: to show their support for disabled people and their families, celebrate the achievements of disabled Canadians, and to pledge their commitment to help create a fully accessible and inclusive society.

Red Shirt Day is an Easter Seals initiative and was first celebrated in 2019. It takes place on the Wednesday of National Access Ability Week each year.

Anyone can take part in Red Shirt Day. Put on your favourite red shirt, take some photos and make a pledge to help improve accessibility and inclusion in your community. Then post your photos and your pledge on social media with the hashtags.
#RedShirtDay
#RedForAccessAbility
Other great Red Shirt Day Resources for kids:

Kids Inclusive: Kids Corner: A resource designed to help children understand different abilities through games, stories, and activities.

The Rick Hansen Foundation: School Program: Offers lesson plans, toolkits, and activities for educators and parents to promote inclusion and accessibility.
PBS Kids: Disability Awareness: Tips and resources for teaching children about disabilities and promoting inclusivity.
Book List: Children's Books About Disabilities: A collection of children's books that highlight different disabilities and promote empathy and understanding.

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