Leanne Nicolle

Leanne has spent many years as a sales and marketing executive in both Canada and the United States. She recently founded UBUNTU Marketing, an agency of like-minded collaborators who are committed to bringing humanness into corporations and brands through executive coaching, employee engagement and consumer/client communications. She has worked with a variety of non-profit organizations and charities, building fundraising initiatives and strategies.

Leanne has spent time in Africa and has learned the art of UBUNTU through her interactions with the women and children of this continent. She is a long standing volunteer with Sheena’s Place, a centre for those affected by eating disorders and regularly speaks in the school system on self esteem and body image. Her passions come together on this unique project.

Jane Shaw

Jane is a PR executive who has brought a unique approach and fresh thinking on the PR front to big brands such as GAP, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Nike. She was instrumental in bringing various Nike Foundation Projects to Canada, led the 2008-2010 NIKE Olympic initiative and strategic philanthropic programmes benefiting charities such as the AIDS Committee of Toronto, Boys and Girls’ clubs of Canada, and the HUMAN Race among many others.

Jane spent time in Honduras building schools with Habitat for Humanity. Her passion for girl’s strength and leadership through sport shines through in all that she does and is invaluable to the project.

Marnie McBean

Motivational Mentor

Marnie McBean is a three time Olympic Rowing Champion, who with her rowing partner Kathleen Heddle is Canada's most successful Summer Olympian. McBean and Heddle won gold in both the Pair and Eight oared events in Barcelona 1992, and added another gold and bronze in the Double and Quad events in Atlanta 1996. She has a total of 12 World and Olympic medals and was the World Cup Champion in the single in 1994. A graduate of Honors Kinesiology at the University of Western Ontario, she has been presented with 3 honorary doctorates, the Governor Generals Meritorious Service Medal and is a member of Canada's Sport Hall of Fame.

Marnie is currently working as a Manager of Olympic Preparation with the Canadian Olympic Committee where she works with all athletes, Summer and Winter, to maintain their 'swagger'(!) and achieve their potential in the Olympic Environment.

Marnie has a similar role with Girl Impact - as a motivational mentor for the whole group she works with the GI's to support their confidence and the natural ebbs and flows that surround believing in big goals.

Marnie has previously been to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro and is very excited to share in the journey again with the Girl Impact group.