The Women Behind Spark

THE WOMEN BEHIND SPARK

Suzanne Young

HR Management Consultant | Self Employed

Suzanne Young grew up in Chetwynd, B.C. and, aside from a few years to attend post-secondary school, has proudly spent her time living and working in Northeastern B.C. With Bachelor’s Degrees in both Education and Commerce combined with both CPHR and SHRM-SCP designations, she has over 20 years of diverse industry experience in Human Resources Management. Suzanne believes in the rich opportunities available for individuals in the North and encourages embracing diversity, communicating with transparency, and facilitating positive change in every organization she works with. When not at her day job, if she isn’t volunteering her time with Spark or undertaking some wildly challenging costuming construction project, she can be found spending as much quality time as possible with her husband and two energetic boys (and her equally energetic Standard Poodle).

Jeleena Cawley

Coordinator – HSER Field Operations | Pacific Canbriam Energy

Jeleena Cawley is a lifelong Northerner and dedicated Health, Safety, Environment, and Regulatory (HSER) professional in the Energy Industry. With a passion for both people safety and human connection, Jeleena thrives in collaborative environments where teams come together to achieve common goals. She is deeply committed to providing valuable resources to her community and is particularly enthusiastic about supporting Women in Leadership; helping Women build confidence and grow in their careers.Jeleena enjoys golfing with her family and friends, and hiking with her energetic – very vocal – Corgi.

Carolynn Oliver

Senior Policy Analyst | Employment and Social Development Canada

Carolynn Oliver is a dynamic leader with a proven track record of driving results and fostering innovation in diverse organizational settings. With a diverse background spanning from government agencies to financial institutions, Carolynn brings a wealth of experience in strategic planning, risk management, and operational excellence. With a Master of Business Administration and specialized certifications in risk management and program evaluation, she combines academic rigor with practical expertise. Carolynn is a passionate advocate for continuous learning, and she eagerly embraced the opportunity to contribute her expertise to the planning and execution of the Spark Women’s Leadership Conference. With a deep-seated belief in the power of education and empowerment, she is dedicated to crafting a transformative conference experience for women in the peace region. Carolynn has been a resident of Northeastern BC for over 10 years and when she has some downtime, she enjoys spending it with her husband and her fun-loving Lab.

Jennifer Lefley

Accounts Receivable | SureLine Projects Inc.

Jennifer Lefley, born in Zimbabwe, is a dynamic professional with a strong foundation in business administration, earning her Bachelor of Business Administration from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Jennifer is also the co-owner of BI LeanWorks, where she helps businesses enhance processes, streamline operations, and gain valuable insights through data. A Certified Credit Specialist through the Credit Institute of Canada, Jennifer specializes in credit management, process optimization, and operational excellence. Her Lean Agile Greenbelt Certification and recent Scrum Master certification equip her to lead Agile teams, foster collaboration, and deliver high-quality results in dynamic environments. Outside of work, Jennifer is a passionate marathon runner who exemplifies resilience, discipline, and a commitment to achieving ambitious goals—qualities she brings to every aspect of her professional and personal life.

Catharine Dragojevich

Mortgage Specialist | RBC Royal Bank | Royal Bank of Canada

Catharine Dragojevich moved to Fort St. John in 1994. She is a mother of two and actively engages with her community to help continue its’ growth and development. Catharine has 20 + years in the financial industry and is currently working as a Mortgage Specialist with Royal Bank of Canada.

Megan Troyer

Partner | Via CFO

Megan Troyer is a leader, passionate about bringing dignity, hope and vision to people and organizations through education and relationships. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant who has spent almost 20 years of her career providing financial leadership in the energy industry. Megan was raised in Fort St John, and as a partner in Via CFO, provides her unique expertise to many local businesses, her contribution to building her community. She believes leadership requires clarity and accountability but not at the expense of kindness. In 2019 Megan became a Certified Facilitator for the Dare to Lead™ curriculum under the instruction of Brené Brown. In her spare time, Megan provides leadership for a variety of community and nonprofit organizations, including North Peace 4-H, CPA Financial Literacy, Rising Above FSJ, FSJ Hospital Foundation, and Trades 4 Life International. Megan loves gardening, cooking, and travelling with her husband Steve.

Whitney Armstrong

Digital Marketing Manager | Moose Media

Whitney Armstrong was born and raised in Fort St. John and currently works as the Digital Marketing Manager for Moose Media. With over seven years of marketing experience, an Administrative Assistant Certificate, and a Digital Marketing Strategy Certificate from Harvard Business School Online, she brings creativity, strategy, and heart to every project she takes on. Throughout her career, Whitney has had the privilege of working directly with more than 20 local businesses, many of them women-owned, and supporting countless others through consulting, content creation, and community work. These experiences strengthened her passion for helping women in the North thrive, knowing firsthand how powerful it is when women support women. This belief is at the core of Spark. For Whitney, Spark is not just an event, but a commitment to building community, confidence, and collaboration among northern women. Outside of work, Whitney enjoys laughing with her husband, diving into her photography, and spending time with her beloved fur baby, Rupert.

DeeAnn Pruys

Business Analyst | Troyer Ventures Ltd.

DeeAnn Pruys is an Administrative Professional based in Fort St. John, where she has lived for the past 14 years. A Payroll Compliance Professional certified through the National Payroll Institute, she brings over a decade of experience in the oilfield industry. With 10+ years at Troyer Ventures Ltd, DeeAnn is known for her attention to detail and mentors new employees to support their success. Passionate about giving back, she contributes her expertise and compassion through Spark. Outside of work, DeeAnn loves time with her family and watching her young son grow.

Estefania Albornoz

Marketing and Communications Strategist | Community Builder

Originally from Colombia, Estefania holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Journalism, a Master’s Degree in Neuromarketing, and a Certificate in Business Management. She has built her career across private, government, and nonprofit sectors, developing experience in fundraising, digital strategy, content development, and public relations. With more than a decade of work in strategic communications, digital marketing and community engagement, Estefania helps organizations share meaningful stories, strengthen their visibility, and build lasting connections. Since moving to Fort St. John in 2023, she has become an active part of the community, contributing her skills to initiatives that support social causes, local growth and leadership. Outside of her projects, she enjoys travelling and taking part in community activities. She also loves studying and considers herself a bit of a nerd, with a constant curiosity that drives her work and sparks new ideas.

Karen Thierson

Owner/Marketing Designer, Branding Specialist & Social Media Manager | Indigo Designs

Karen Thierson is an award-winning designer and branding specialist known for crafting strategic, visually compelling marketing solutions for businesses, organizations, and individuals across Canada. In 2007, Karen took a leap of faith and founded Indigo Designs, a creative studio built on the belief that strong brands tell powerful stories. Since then, her work has been recognized with eight National Marketing Awards and two Provincial Awards for excellence in design and communication. Karen has proudly lent her creative direction, marketing expertise, and signature “theme weaving” skills to the Spark Women’s Leadership Conference since 2015, helping shape its visual identity year after year. In addition to her design work, she manages social media and digital branding for several internationally renowned artists, blending creativity with audience engagement on a global stage. When she’s not designing or dreaming up big ideas, Karen can be found at live concerts or enjoying downtime with her husband and her dog, Ollie.