HerJourney Podcast

Jackie Toner’s leap from academia to woodturning and entrepreneurship began as a creative escape and became a full-time career. As the founder of Woods Woman Woodworking, she designs and crafts handmade kitchenware and art pieces while mentoring young women entering the trades. In this episode, Jackie talks about turning uncertainty into opportunity, building a business from scratch, and leading a...

Anna Rosina is part of a new generation redefining what it means to work in skilled trades and manufacturing. As a machinist in training at Conestoga College and FBT Machine Shop in St. Catharines, she’s already mastering the precision work of 5-axis CNC machining — cutting components to tolerances finer than a human hair. Her journey began with high school robotics, where early exposure to hands-...

Carrie O'Donnell’s story is proof that it’s never too late to start over. After decades in automotive manufacturing, she entered the skilled trades at 45 and became a Red Seal plumber by 49. Today, she works at the Stellantis Windsor Assembly Plant, one of the few women among 500 tradespeople keeping Canada’s auto industry running. In this episode, Carrie reflects on changing the perception of man...

Courtney Rupp’s career in manufacturing and quality assurance spans welding, fabrication, and leadership. Now the Quality Assurance Lead at Tooketree in Baysville, Ontario, she helped implement CSA certification and wrote the company’s quality manual. Her story reflects a life built on adaptability, skill, and persistence. In this episode, Courtney shares how she transitioned from pharmacy technic...

Laura Potje has been shaping the future of welding and manufacturing education for over 40 years. From her early days welding forestry equipment and uranium refineries to her current role as an instructor at Conestoga College, Laura’s seen the trades evolve — and she’s helped drive that change. In this episode, she reflects on her journey through the welding industry, the value of mentorship, and...

Sally Morse is the founder and CEO of Spectra Supply Inc., a Calgary-based manufacturer creating safety equipment and PPE designed specifically for women in trades and manufacturing. With a background in psychology and business, she’s challenging the “one-size-fits-all” approach to workplace safety. In this episode, Sally shares how inclusive design can save lives, the business case for equity, an...

Daron Bougie found her calling in carpentry and construction after joining an Indigenous women’s program that introduced her to hands-on work. Today, she’s a carpentry apprentice at Tooketree Passive Homes, helping build energy-efficient homes across Ontario. Her path into the skilled trades reflects persistence, community, and redefining what a career in construction can look like for women. In t...

Natasha Henderson’s path through manufacturing and operations leadership is built on teamwork, resilience, and breaking through fear. From playing Division 1 softball to managing production teams in the aerospace and aquaculture sectors, she’s learned that confidence and connection go hand in hand. Now an operations leader at Industrial Plankton in Victoria, BC, Natasha supports sustainable aquacu...