Jessica Gutierrez spent a decade building the systems that are supposed to support people at work. Enablement at SAP, training programs for 5,000 partners at JOEY, learning strategy at Vancity, and a seat on the leadership team at The Learning Network. She is a certified Mental Health First Aider, a Prosci Change Management Practitioner, and has over 100 hours of facilitation, mentoring, and coaching behind her.

In April 2026 her son Nathan was born and died. She went back to work, and found out what those systems look like from the other side.

Today she is the founder of Calm-hearted, a pregnancy and infant loss platform offering writing, practical support, remembrance, and workplace guidance. It has three front doors: one for grieving parents, one for the family and friends around them, and one for the employers trying to get it right.

In this episode we get into the leadership decisions she got wrong, the difference between being liked and being trusted, what she learned about what people actually need from the person leading them, her six kinds of workplace readiness, and the one nobody talks about.

Takeaways:

• Jessica Gutierrez has spent her career building learning and enablement programs at SAP, JOEY, Vancity, and The Learning Network.
• Being liked and being trusted are different things, and the gap between them shows up long before a crisis does.
• Culture is not created by a crisis. It is revealed by one, and what gets built on ordinary days determines what holds.
• Bereavement readiness does not require managers to become grief experts. It requires them to have decided certain things in advance.
• Repair readiness, knowing what to do after your organization has already handled something badly, is the piece most workplaces never consider.
• A grieving employee should not become the project manager of their workplace’s response.
• Returning to work is an administrative milestone, not a recovery one, and treating the two as the same is where good intentions most often fail.

Chapters:

1:26 Early Career

10:37 Personal Experiences

17:22 Experiences in HR Systems

28:25 Repair Readiness

37:42 Calm-Hearted

45:51 Closing Remarks

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

Calm-hearted, support for parents, family and friends, and workplaces: https://www.calmhearted.ca/

Calm-hearted at work: https://www.calmhearted.ca/workplaces

Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagutierrez-calmhearted/

Workplace resources and notes on this episode, coming soon: https://www.calmhearted.ca/post/eh-list

Please note: this episode discusses pregnancy and infant loss. Calm-hearted offers lived-experience and educational support, not crisis care, medical advice, or counselling. For immediate help, call or text 988, dial 211 for community resources, or call 911 in an emergency.

🎙️ The Eh List brings you founders, CEOs, and leaders from across Canada sharing the real stories behind how they got there.

Our discussion today centres on mentorship, storytelling, and what it actually means to lead. I had the distinct privilege of conversing with Sam Thiara, Adjunct Professor at SFU's Beedie School of Business and founder of Ignite the Dream Coaching and Consulting, whose career began with 86 rejection letters and a job as a hospital janitor before spanning ICBC, the Vancouver Olympic Bid, and 22 years at Simon Fraser University.

Throughout our dialogue, we examined why leadership is determined not by title or position but by whether others choose to follow, and why Sam draws a firm distinction between transactional networking and genuine relationship building. We further explored the frameworks he has developed over roughly 5,500 one-on-one conversations, including his CARE model, the practice of intentional pausing, and the anchor points that guide his decisions.

Sam's insights offer a grounded counterpoint to conventional career advice, reminding us that the journey itself, rather than the destination, is where the meaningful work occurs.

Takeaways:

• Sam Thiara has mentored thousands of students and professionals over 26 years with the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade's Leaders of Tomorrow program.
• Leadership is a lifestyle rather than a position, and it is the people around you who determine whether you have earned the title.
• Being overlooked early in his career shaped a lasting commitment to giving anyone, from high school students to CEOs, his time and attention.
• Understanding who you are must precede deciding what you want to do, as the latter tends to materialize once the former is clear.
• Intentional pausing and non-negotiable anchor points provide direction when opportunities and setbacks arrive unexpectedly.
• Organizations frequently falter by treating people as secondary to process, overlooking the strengths individuals naturally bring.
• A single blank puzzle piece, given to more than 5,000 people worldwide, serves as a reminder that no one is meant to navigate the journey alone.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Sam's coaching: https://www.sam-thiara.com/coaching/

Greater Vancouver Board of Trade: https://www.boardoftrade.com/

Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sthiara/

Our discussion today centres on the profound transformations occurring within the realm of product management, propelled by advancements in artificial intelligence. I had the distinct privilege of conversing with Brian Yan Muk, a product manager at Apply Digital, whose extensive experience encompasses leadership roles at renowned organizations such as AT&T, PGE, Moderna, and the NFL.

Throughout our dialogue, we delved into the intricacies of leadership in both small and large organizational contexts, emphasizing the importance of empathy in decision-making processes. Furthermore, we explored the implications of AI on product development and the evolving expectations of leadership in today's digital landscape.

Brian's insights not only illuminate the path forward for aspiring leaders but also underscore the necessity of adaptability and continuous learning in an ever-changing environment.

Note: The views shared in this episode are Brian's own and don't represent the views of Apply Digital.

Takeaways:

• Brian Yan Muk has led product teams in prestigious organizations, demonstrating significant leadership skills.
• The essence of effective leadership lies in empathy and understanding team dynamics and individual contributions.
• AI is reshaping business processes by automating tasks, thus requiring leaders to adapt their methods accordingly.
• Successful product development hinges on clear communication and stakeholder involvement throughout the process.
• Effective leadership necessitates decisiveness, even if it involves making unpopular decisions for the greater good.
• Continuous curiosity and experimentation are crucial for adapting to the rapidly changing technological landscape.

Links referenced in this episode:

• www.applydigital.com
• www.sfu.ca
• www.enactus.org
• www.linkedin.com/in/brianyanmuk

Episode Description

In this episode, we sit down with Aaren Terrett, a Vancouver-based business leader, to talk about the lessons he picked up building Traction on Demand and taking it through its acquisition by Salesforce. Aaron walks us through that growth story, from a small team to nearly 1,900 employees and $190 million in revenue, and what it actually took to get there.

He shares why culture was never an afterthought for him but a driving force, one that pushed innovation while still putting the people behind it first. Aaron also talks about what he's building now with Vistera, a platform aimed at making professional services more efficient and accessible for small and medium-sized businesses. By combining technology with a network of vetted experts, Vistera is looking to give businesses tailored, cost-effective support and change how professional services work in Canada.

Key Takeaways:

• Culture was central to Traction on Demand's growth, especially through its acquisition by Salesforce.
• Scaling from a small business to a large enterprise brings its own set of leadership challenges.
• Professional services are shifting, and technology plus new delivery models are key to keeping up.
• Vistera gives small and medium-sized businesses faster, more affordable access to expert help.
• Building a strong culture means understanding what different employees actually need.
• Outcome-based pricing creates more sustainable, value-driven client relationships.

Links referenced in this episode:

• www.vistera.ai
• Vistera

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Parr to discuss what it takes to build and lead a successful boutique law firm. Drawing from his years of experience, Steve shares insights on the importance of proactive estate planning and why having key legal documents in place before they’re needed can provide peace of mind for clients and their families.

Steve also reflects on his own career journey, from environmental initiatives to entrepreneurship and eventually founding his own corporate law practice. Along the way, he discusses the lessons he’s learned about leadership, personal growth, and building a business centered around strong relationships.

The conversation explores the role of team culture in professional services, highlighting how empathy, trust, and high ethical standards can strengthen both internal collaboration and client experiences. Through Steve’s experiences, we examine how intentional leadership, strategic planning, and meaningful connections can contribute to long-term success for both professionals and the people they serve.

Key Takeaways

• Proactive estate planning helps clients and their families avoid unnecessary stress and uncertainty in the future.
• Entrepreneurship challenged Steve to grow both personally and professionally, reinforcing the importance of adaptability.
• Strong teams are built on trust, collaboration, and shared values, which ultimately lead to better client outcomes.
• Self-awareness and personal development play an important role in making sound decisions, especially during challenging situations.
• Building a trusted network of professionals creates more value for clients and improves overall service delivery.
• Responsiveness, attentiveness, and genuine relationship-building are key factors in creating exceptional client experiences.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Parr Business Law
• linkedin.com/in/steveaparr

This discussion explores Sanaz Lafuente's journey as an engineering leader within Vancouver’s tech community. She reflects on her early ambition to pursue physics and how her path ultimately evolved toward engineering and leadership. Throughout the conversation, she underscores the importance of building strong relationships and maintaining an effective network, both of which have played a key role in her career development.

The episode also examines how management styles in the tech industry are evolving alongside rapid technological change, with a growing emphasis on communication and adaptability. Overall, it offers a thoughtful perspective on professional growth, leadership, and the importance of interpersonal connections in shaping a successful career in tech.

Takeaways:

• In the dynamic landscape of technology, the shift from hardware to software engineering reflects the relevance of software across diverse industries, demonstrating its expansive applicability beyond traditional boundaries.
• Building relationships and networking are indispensable skills that significantly influence career progression, as evidenced by personal experiences shared during the episode.
• Effective leadership in engineering requires a shift from technical oversight to fostering an environment that encourages team autonomy and proactive ownership among team members.
• Navigating the complexities of larger organizations necessitates a keen understanding of influence and decision-making dynamics, highlighting the importance of collaboration across various levels of expertise.
• Emphasizing communication skills over purely technical abilities when hiring engineers can enhance team cohesion and project outcomes, reflecting a changing landscape in technical recruitment.
• Parenting not only cultivates empathy but also fosters a heightened sense of responsibility, shaping leadership approaches in the workplace and influencing team dynamics.

The conversation focuses on the experiences of George Anderson, MLA for Nanaimo-Lantzville, and his journey into public service at a young age. From studying law to working across different roles in government, he shares how those experiences have shaped his perspective on leadership and community.

We explore the challenges and opportunities he sees in today’s landscape, along with his belief that strong communities are built when diverse voices are included and heard.

At its core, this episode is a reminder that leadership and progress depend on people being engaged, stepping up, and playing an active role in shaping the future.

Takeaways:

• George Anderson began his political career at the young age of 20, reflecting a remarkable achievement in local governance.
• With a background in law and public service, Anderson has advocated for community representation and environmental considerations in his political decisions.
• He emphasizes the importance of transportation infrastructure as a means of ensuring equal opportunities for citizens across British Columbia.
• The discussion highlights the need for government policies that prioritize the welfare of citizens, particularly in areas such as healthcare and housing affordability.
• Anderson's experiences in both the private and public sectors allow him to approach governance with a comprehensive understanding of economic and social dynamics.
• The podcast concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage actively in their communities, reinforcing that change begins with individual involvement.

This episode of the podcast focuses on the journey of Bedad Jamshidi, a marketing connector who left a secure engineering role at Telus to pursue entrepreneurship. In our conversation, we explore how his combination of technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills has helped him build meaningful relationships and support business growth. Bedad shares the moment he realized his strength in connecting with people, which ultimately led him to shift his career toward collaboration and relationship-building. We also discuss the challenges and rewards of launching his own marketing venture while still maintaining a corporate role. Overall, Bedad’s story highlights the importance of self-awareness and the impact that genuine relationships can have in both personal and professional life.

Takeaways:

1. The discussion illustrates the intriguing transition from a secure engineering career to the entrepreneurial landscape, highlighting the significance of personal growth and adaptability.
2. Bedad's unique blend of technical acumen and interpersonal skills underscores the value of connecting deeply with others in a business context.
3. The podcast emphasizes the importance of overcoming fear and embracing uncertainty as fundamental components of the entrepreneurial journey.
4. A central theme involves the necessity of introspection and self-awareness, which Bedad credits for his ongoing personal and professional development.
5. The conversation reveals how cultivating a robust network can yield unexpected opportunities and support throughout one's career endeavors.
6. Leadership is framed as an opportunity to coach and empower others, highlighting the shift towards empathy and understanding in modern business dynamics.

Links referenced in this episode:

1. cjammarketing.com