AWL Alumni Spotlight
Kelly Canada, Manager, Adjacent Propulsion Services
Rolls-Royce Corporation
“AWL gave me the permission to feel and understand my emotions so I could make sure I was spending my time on the things most important to me.”
Meet Kelly Canada
We asked Kelly some questions to help us all get to know her better. Here’s what she had to say...
I feel like I am fulfilling my purpose when I am:
Learning, growing and giving.
My favorite way to spend an afternoon by myself is:
Recharging through reflection, exercise, audiobooks and planning new vacations and experiences.
To me, leadership is:
Not about being the best. Leadership is about making everyone else better.
The legacy that I want to leave is:
Making people feel loved and respected.
The values/behaviors that are most important to me are:
Trust, authenticity and compassion.
How I would like to impact the world right now is:
Being mindful and present, serving with gratitude, love and kindness. This health crisis has revealed how thankful and thoughtful we are for others. Gratitiude has become my solid ground and thoughtful acts of kindness have helped me navigate through this time.
Describe the six months you spent in the Bloombase experience for Advanced Women Leaders (AWL)?
The AWL experience was transformational. The learning experience was unlike anything I’ve been through in the past and, when it came time, I didn’t want it to end. I am so thankful for the experience, as I live my life differently now. It allowed me to explore and understand my true passion and the areas of my life that needed improvement - inside and outside of work.
Describe the benefits of the AWL Experience?
Before AWL, I was exhausted trying to do everything, and AWL gave me the permission to feel and understand my emotions so I could make sure I was spending my time on the things most important to me. It was the first time in many years I focused on ME! I scheduled doctor’s appointments, made healthier choices and removed the heavy burdens that were weighing me down. I’ve lived a more fulfilling life these past five years as a result.
Describe the benefits of being a part of the post AWL community?
When I joined AWL, I was at a point in my life when I thought I didn’t need to make any more connections or friends. However, I am so thankful, I was wrong. The Bloombase team and AWL Alumni are now my close friends, peers, mentors and people I trust. We’ve helped each other through some of the toughest times - from cancer treatments, job loses or struggling through the impacts of COVID. This amazing group of leaders provides so much support and advice and Bloombase provides the space for us to be authentic with each other.
What did you get out of the executive coaching sessions?
With the help of my executive coach, I was able to find clarity in my true identity which resulted in a new level of peace and confidence. This clarity enabled me to enlighten my passion for authenticity, the desire to pursue the truth of who I am over the life-draining feelings I was subscribed to. Understanding and rejecting these untruths made me stronger and more focused on who I am, which resulted in being intentional with how I spend my time and who I spent my time with.
What is the greatest roi for this investment you made in yourself?
AWL was a reinvention. It was a process of changing my thoughts by setting new visions and priorities. I learned to trust the process and stop seeking validation which resulted in a more fulfilling and meaningful life.