Her Story
HER STORY is an initiative dedicated to celebrating Women’s Rights Month by featuring guest speakers who will share their success stories. These inspiring women will recount their journeys in Canada, the challenges they have overcome, and the support they found through their perseverance.
The goal of this campaign is to provide reassurance to women currently going through difficult times. They will discover that they are not alone and that there are various support groups they can turn to in times of need.
Sonia Czarski
Sonia is a member of the Dress for Success Montreal Board of Directors, as well as the general manager of the Montreal Training Center and Bombardier at CAE. Her journey is remarkable, and she was deeply impacted by a move to Canada at a young age. This week, in honor of the launch of Her Story, Sonia is sharing the deep reasons that drive her to be actively involved with this organization.
Don’t miss this inspiring series, sign up now!
Sandra Rouphael
Key Strategies for Building a Sense of Belonging (french)
Wednesday, March 19, at 12 p.m.
”During my presentation, I will share three key pieces of advice that have significantly contributed to my sense of belonging in Quebec:
- Leverage Your Community of Origin
- Ask Questions and Seek Clarification
- Engage with the Quebec Community
I will elaborate on how these strategies have helped me embrace Quebec as my home and country.”
Sandra Rouphael is a seasoned professional with over 12 years of experience in various roles at CAE. Currently, she serves as the Director of Business Performance and Air Traffic Services Training Operations for Civil Aviation. Sandra‘s performance team is dedicated to identifying opportunities, optimizing operational and financial performance through continuous improvement, and implementing better processes. They focus on establishing stronger commitments from teams and operationalizing strategies for the short, medium, and long term. Notably, Sandra initiated a new air traffic services training business for CAE, launching the first Ab Initio training for NAV CANADA students.
Born in Cyprus and raised in Lebanon, Sandra immigrated to Canada at the age of 16. She holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and a master’s degree in engineering data mining. At 25, she began her management career by leading a team of 100 unionized men in manufacturing operations at CAE. She has since held four additional leadership positions, each with increasing responsibilities and broader mandates.
Sandra has been actively involved in community service since her teenage years. She has volunteered for the Canadian Red Cross, participated in the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge, and made her 20th blood donation, continuing to donate regularly.
Sandra is a young woman eager to learn, grow professionally, and enhance her leadership qualities. She is also committed to personal growth as a citizen and mother. She believes in coaching and developing others by sharing her experiences and actively participating in the Professional Women Network and the mentoring program within CAE.
Araz Toukmahji
Journey of Resilience: Embracing Change and Building Community (french)
Wednesday, March 26, at 7 p.m.
In this session, Araz Toukmahji will share her journey of resilience and adaptation, highlighting key strategies such as leveraging one’s community of origin, asking questions, and engaging with the local community. She will discuss her experiences moving from Syria to Dubai and then to Canada, emphasizing the importance of building connections, staying curious, and embracing challenges to create a sense of belonging and success in a new environment.
Araz Toukmahji Born in Latakia, Syria, of Armenian origin, Araz Toukmahji grew up in Dubai, UAE, and has been residing in Montreal, Quebec, for the past 26 years. She serves as Manager for the Pediatric and Adult Clinical Research group at the Centre for Innovative Medicine within the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, recognized as leading global recruiter and pioneer in gene therapy trials with first patient enrollment.
Araz holds a Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology from Concordia University and a Graduate Diploma in Healthcare Management from McGill University. Her career has been dedicated to the scientific and healthcare domains, where she has excelled in various leadership roles, managing diverse teams and advancing innovative projects.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Araz is deeply involved in her community. She actively volunteers with several non-profit and executive committees within the Armenian Community of Montreal, organizing fundraisers and supporting cultural and educational initiatives. She also serves as a Youth Ambassador for The Armenian Prelacy of Canada, contributing to the enrichment and empowerment of Armenian youth.
Linda Raynier
A Quiet Achiever's Journey to Authentic Confidence (english)
Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 7 p.m.
”I’ll share my story as a child of refugees born in Canada, where, as an introverted but determined little girl, I struggled with self-doubt and insecurities that played a pivotal role in defining my career journey. I’ll also offer insights and lessons on how embracing your authentic self can pave the way to a fulfilling and confident career.”
Linda Raynier is a career strategist, speaker, and creator of the Stand Out & Get Hired program, which has helped over 4,000 mid-level professionals accelerate their careers and achieve leadership roles. With nearly 1 million subscribers on YouTube, Linda’s actionable insights on executive presence, communication, and career advancement have resonated with a global audience.
Linda’s story has been featured in CPA Pivot Magazine as a “Strategist for Success” and her expertise has been mentioned in Huffington Post, NY Post, and Forbes. As a speaker and trainer, she has led impactful sessions for corporate teams, inspiring quiet achievers to articulate their value with clarity and confidence.
Linda is a soon to be published author, continuing her mission to help professionals turn inwards, eliminate fear-based beliefs, and lead with authentic confidence.
Luiza Staniec
Dare, Learn, Evolve: Keys to Thriving Through Change (french)
Wednesday, March 12th, at 7 p.m.
- Fully Immerse Yourself in the Unknown Step out of your comfort zone to grow and integrate more quickly into a new environment.
- Embrace the present and commit to it fully. Embrace Continuous Growth Fear of making the wrong choice is natural, but every experience, whether positive or negative, is a learning opportunity. Dare to try, learn, and adjust along the way.
- Surround Yourself with the Right People Building a strong support network makes integration easier and gives meaning to both personal and professional journeys.
