in the mind of... anne-marie

We sat down with our fabulous and creative graphic designer, Anne-Marie Leong, and asked her to share her story with us. Thank you for all of your hard work AM- we're so glad to have you on the team!! my name: Anne-Marie Gar Wai Leong

my company: Maïse Design

my graduate: Emily Carr University

childhood ambition: being a dreamer of dreams

fondest memory: waking up to the smell of mom’s homemade French toast

retreat: camping with a whole bunch from the youth organization that I volunteer at

wildest dream: traveling the world while discovering cultures and myself

proudest moment: seeing the youth from an organization that I volunteer at graduate… from middle school to high school and now as they enter university pursuing their career is my proudest moment. I love seeing the people around me succeed and going farther than where I have

award: Applied Arts magazine, student packaging award category 2007

biggest challenge: balancing work and play

keeps me up at night: a great cup of tea or coffee and seeing the formation of the project come into completion

how I give back: helping out the people around me and the people that require my help as much as possible… whether it is design related or just manual labor, I enjoy spending time with people

perfect day: on a breezy warm day, enjoying a glass of wine or coffee out by the harbor with either friends or family

first job: waitressing at a restaurant

favourite quote: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. - Jim Elliot

inspiration: new experiences and meeting people, but most importantly my family

In the mind of...marica

My first blog. Ever. You’d think this would be easier since it’s supposed to be an introduction to me and how my YWiB story started – and I’m great at talking about myself, ask…well, anyone. It all started at a late night JDC West 2008 meeting – it was going so late because we were all trying to select our ‘team song’. NJ Thompson pulled me aside and told me that I had to be at a very exciting information/idea meeting the following week.

So I went.

And that was it, I was in.

I believe so strongly in the vision of YWiB and the dream of empowering women everywhere with the tools to achieve success in whatever it is that they wish to accomplish. I know that much of my personal growth is attributed to YWiB – the lessons from both working on the team and from participating in events.

My favourite YWiB memories are from working on the Connect! Tradeshow last year. The five Tradeshow Girls decided the best working meetings were best left for sleepovers – and we had many. I believe that the friendships and relationships that have developed and grown through YWiB are just as valuable as the lessons learned from attending events.

Facing the big question marks in life with women in the same situations is just a part of what YWiB is about and what this blog will be about.

Chat again next week!