On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, CREW hosted its Annual Meeting & June Luncheon featuring Joelle Tomlinson, a journalist, inspiring public speaker, and mental health advocate. The event was hosted at the Boston Harbor Hotel.
Annual meeting business introduced both new board members and a CREW Network Delegate for election. As Shelly Gouin’s last act as CREW’s 2024-2025 President, she reflected on the strength of the organization, its strategic plan, the vast opportunities that lie ahead for its members, and then handed the baton to incoming President, Kate Carter, Shareholder and Director at Dain Torpy.
As Kate prepared to introduce
Joelle Tomlinson, she shed light on her path to Presidency – from Programs Committee, Luncheons, Dine Arounds, and the Board. She cited that the power of connection, volunteering, supporting and believing in each other is limitless and encouraged everyone to lean in, you will get more than you can ever give.
Joelle Tomlinson is an accomplished storyteller with a personal journey rooted in difference, challenge, pivots, and pain but also love, support, deep transformation, and the quiet reinvention that often follows life’s loudest moments. We learned that:
- Change isn’t something we get to schedule. It arrives — often uninvited — and challenges us to either bend or break.
- Resiliency is not rare – it’s embedded in how women lead every single day. From maternity leave to micro-aggressions, from glass ceilings to bodily autonomy and global pandemics – women have been building resilience muscle in every chapter of their lives.
- Curiosity is a superpower and tool. Harnessing this superpower helped Joelle become the youngest black female news anchor in Western Canada. Curiosity creates new possibilities.
- With any opposition you face, simply ask yourself “will this help you or hurt you?” We need to begin seeing “failure” as redirection, not rejection.
- Strengthen your circle, a strong support system isn’t optional. Chose wisely.
- Embrace discomfort – if it scares, you GOOD. That’s where growth happens. Don’t panic. Pause. Then Plan. And remember to breathe.
The conversation was an inspiring call to action to all that attended reminding us that we can thrive through change and that resilience is not about having all the answers. It’s about getting up, moving, and recognizing that when we bounce forward instead of back, we grow stronger and stronger. CREW Boston is so thankful to Joelle for sharing her inspiring story and encourages everyone to
follow her to stay inspired, empowered, and strengthen your circle!
