-Story and photography by Lia Crowe

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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Late one afternoon on a hillside east above Kelowna, I drove down a long driveway flanked by acres and acres of cherry trees loaded with almost-ripe, pink fruit. At the end of the drive, the land opened out onto a beautiful home and sweeping lawns perched on a precipice with incredible views of the Okanagan Valley and lake B次元官网网址� the blue-grey clouds billowing up over the hills and rays of yellow sunshine cutting through like swords.

Stepping out of my car, I felt a sudden sense of peace created both by the land and the smiling face of Renee Wasylyk, who greeted me at the door. We sat in her elegant living room, complete with a grand piano, to chat career, life, style and where they all intersect.

Renee is the CEO of B次元官网网址� but what does that really mean?

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 the external face of the company and I have a role and responsibility to lead in terms of strategic planning. I also take a lot of responsibility for the cultural aspects of the company, our brand and reputation, the health of our employees and what weB次元官网网址檙e doing to support them as people and not just as B次元官网网址榩roductivity measures.B次元官网网址� For me, that last part is a real focus. Outside of that IB次元官网网址檓 also the front face of the development arm, pushing projects forward. IB次元官网网址檓 not someone who sleeps B次元官网网址� [I get] three to four hours per night B次元官网网址� and IB次元官网网址檓 not tired.B次元官网网址�

As I reflect on that (being a person who canB次元官网网址檛 function with less than eight hours of sleep), Renee admits to working 80-100 hours a week, adding that the joke around the office is, B次元官网网址淩enee works 20 hours per weekB次元官网网址�while on vacation.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 believe in work/life balance; I believe in work/life integration. ItB次元官网网址檚 about gaining fulfillment from all the aspects of the job and not needing to have separation. I do a lot of fun things B次元官网网址� I volunteer on boards, I get to be active, go to gala events B次元官网网址� some might see that as work but I see it as fun. Women will continue to be overwhelmed [trying to obtain work/life balance] until we reframe it, choose another perspective.B次元官网网址�

Within this perspective, I wonder which aspect of her work fills her cup the most. B次元官网网址淚t is two things. One, I am a huge people person B次元官网网址� being around people really energizes me B次元官网网址� but the real juice in what I do would be the creative process. I love looking at a new piece of land and imaging what is going to go on here. What is it going to look like? How is it going to feel? How can people connect, how can a family play in the street, or how can they garden? For me, that process of imagination, bringing vision to life is absolutely one of the most awe-inspiring things I can do.B次元官网网址�

Moving on to the lighter side of life, style, Renee says she went through a style transformation in her early 30s.

B次元官网网址淚 wanted to stop dressing like a man, to be feminine and bring that to the boardroom. So IB次元官网网址檓 okay wearing a dress; I will always show respect by wearing a blazer when appropriate to respect the audience and to show up with a certain level of decorum. But having said that, I am very feminine. I will wear a suit with ruffles or lace details. I love when things move or flow and have a certain elegance to them.B次元官网网址�

Outside of work, Renee says, sheB次元官网网址檚 most passionate about her three children. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 one of those working moms that has some guilt, so I perhaps overcompensate for that by being really present in their lives. I asked my kids what do I do really well as a mother and they said B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址榶ou give us wings and then you let us fly.B次元官网网址� If I accomplish nothing more as a mother than that, I will have succeeded.B次元官网网址�

What one quality would she like to pass down to her children?

B次元官网网址淧assion. I always sayB次元官网网址� donB次元官网网址檛 follow your passion, follow opportunity and bring your passion. And with that you will be successful.B次元官网网址�

Fashion

Uniform: Dresses or anything black.

All time favourite piece: blouse.

Favourite pair of shoes: strappy sandals.

Favourite Daybag:

Favourite jewelry piece or designer: Semi-Precious Multi-Stone & 18K Yellow Gold Five-Strand Bracelet by Jaipur Collection.

Beauty

Necessary indulgence: Good skin care line.

Scent: Light Blue or LB次元官网网址橧mperatrice.

Must have hair product: .

Beauty secret: B次元官网网址淚 use coconut oil for moisturizer.B次元官网网址�

Style Inspirations

Favourite Artist: .

Piece of art: Tearful Encounter by Thomas Barbey.

Favourite Fashion Designer: B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址淏eautiful and practical.B次元官网网址�

TV show character that inspires your style: Robin Wright in House of Cards or Kerry Washington on Scandal.

Life

Favourite local restaurant: or .

Favourite Cocktail/Wine: French 75 or an Old Fashioned.

Album on current rotation: If You Leave by .

Flower: Gerbera Daisy.

Favourite city to visit: New York or London.

Favourite Hotel: B次元官网网址淚 am a 驳颈谤濒.B次元官网网址�

Favourite App: B次元官网网址淚 wish I could give my phone away!B次元官网网址�

Favourite place in the whole world: Island of Capri: B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 where to look if you canB次元官网网址檛 find me.B次元官网网址�

Reading Material

Fave print magazine: Elle or Glamour.

Fave style Blog: and .

Coffee table Book: by Brandon Stanton and Atlas of World Architecture by Sebastian Markus and Michelle Galindo.

Last great read: The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith by Gabrielle Bernstein.

Book currently reading: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

Favourite book of all time: B次元官网网址淚mpossible for me to pick just one!B次元官网网址�