Mentor Spotlight: Kim Conroy, Career Centre

Name:  Kim Conroy

How long have you been a mentor with DFS Vancouver? Since 2006 (with some time off in 2012).  Started with Saturday group and now with Thursday TDPWG group.

What is the best thing about being a mentor here? Any memorable moments? The best thing about being a mentor is making connections with women that I would never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.   The diversity of the women I have worked with is amazing to me.  I am humbled by the stories I hear and truly inspired by the strength and courage I see and hear about.  Even though our life experiences may have been different, I believe that the opportunity to connect and acknowledge that we are not alone on this journey can offer insight and support to us all.  I am very grateful for the lessons I have learned about myself through all my experiences with DFS, but mostly that compassion and connection enable us all to develop courage and a stronger sense of belonging.

What do you do with your time when not volunteering at DFS Vancouver?  Right now, I am in my own period of transition, so I spend a lot of time reading and writing.  I am an avid journal writer and have also recently started a blog.  I am also passionate about photography, a relatively new interest, and I have taken a number of workshops in Santa Fe and Vancouver to improve my skills and to connect with other enthusiasts.

Who is your style icon? Don’t really have a style icon, but people who inspire me to live a more authentic life include Brene Brown, Phillip Moffitt and kd lang.

Dream vacation?  An opportunity to learn about a place and the people who live there – and also to make some great photographs!  That is really energizing, whether it is close to home or around the world.

What is your motto? I'll leave you with a quote from Brene Brown: "Empathy is simply listening, holding space, withholding judgement, emotionally connecting and communicating that incredibly healing message 'You're not alone'".

Client Spotlight: Linda Leadley, 2012 Professional Women's Group Graduate

Name: Linda Leadley

Where do you live? Burnaby, BC


When did you first get introduced to Dress for Success Vancouver?  May of 2004 through a work program that I was involved in at the time.


What has been your most important lesson learned from the PWG program?  Self-marketing for employment is about more than an outfit.


What is your occupation? Currently I am finishing an Accounting and Payroll course to add payroll to my skills as Bookkeeper.

Who is your hero? Many different types of “hero’s” came to mind for this question but my romantic hero would be Hugh Grant.

Dream vacation? Driving through and around North America.

What is your motto?  Show up and do your best.

Employee Spotlight: Christina Florencio, Marketing & Sponsorship Manager

Name: Christina Florencio

What is your role? Marketing & Sponsorship Manager since Novemeber 2012

Volunteer since: 2009

What is the best thing about working here? Working with inspiring people: my co-workers and board members, the volunteers, our donors and sponsors and most of all, our clients. I see the most powerful transformations everyday. It is so rewarding.

Can you share a memorable moment? My most memorable moment was my first shift as a make up artist and I applied make up on a client that was trying to change her life around. She was a crystal meth addict for over 20 years and her face lit up the moment she saw herself in the mirror. It was such an empowering moment for the both of us.

What do you do with your time outside of the 9-5 with DFS Vancouver? I dance with a Filipino Cultural Dance group and I enjoy dancing Flamenco. You can also find me walking/biking the seawall or enjoying a delicious meal at a neighbourhood hole in the wall or at the newest resto in town, usually paired with a big glass of wine or craft beer.

Who is your style icon? Jennifer Lopez

My dream vacation would be... Bora Bora, French Polynesia

My motto is: A girl's gotta eat