Meet Our NLOWE Staff
With advisors across the Province,
business advice is never too far away.
Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs
Staff Members
Supporting women business owners with insightful advice, training events, and ample opportunities to grow their business.
Jennifer Bessell
Chief Executive Officer
Fun Fact:
Jennifer loves to study wine and one day plans to complete the training to become a sommelier. Her dream vacation is to do an extensive tour of wineries in France!
Business Tip:
“Don’t be afraid to fail. Often what feels like failure today is simply a lesson that needs to be learned in order to achieve greater success tomorrow.”
E-mail: jbessell@nlowe.org
Carolyn Wakeham
Director of Programming & Evaluation
Fun Fact:
Carolyn has met 10 actors from the UK soap opera Coronation Street.
Business Tip:
“Cash-flow is the heart of your business. Understand it so you can properly manage it.”
E-mail: cwakeham@nlowe.org
Judy Raske
Office Manager
Fun Fact:
Judy loves to scrapbook and saves everything from her trips for her albums, including a hot dog wrapper from the San Francisco 49ers.
Business Tip:
“Keep your business information up-to-date online and in any membership directories in which you are listed so you don’t miss out on potential business opportunities.”
E-mail: jraske@nlowe.org
Denise Cornick
Business Growth Advisor, Avalon
Fun Fact:
When Denise lived in Montreal, Leonard Cohen was her neighbor. One Sunday morning, she found herself drinking coffee in the park while he ate ice cream in his bedroom slippers right next to her!
Business Tip:
“Small opportunities are often the beginning of great achievements.”
E-mail: dcornick@nlowe.org
Paula Flood
Business Growth Advisor, Eastern
Fun Fact:
Paula currently rides a Harley Davidson Road King, earning her the nickname ‘Road Queen’.
Business Tip:
“Commit to excelling at customer service.”
E-mail: pflood@nlowe.org
Lindsay Mercer
Business Start-Up Advisor, Central
Fun Fact:
Lindsay is a summer person and loves to spend time outdoors swimming, reading a good book, or roasting marshmallows around the fire with family and friends.
Business Tip:
“Make sure you have a business plan. Your business plan will help you map out where you want your business to go, how to get there, and what you will need to help you succeed.”
E-mail: lmercer@nlowe.org
Betsy Saunders
Business Growth Advisor, Central
Fun Fact:
Betsy is an avid gardener and recently started her first “onion and garlic” garden. She can’t wait to cook up a nice dinner with what she has grown.
Business Tip:
“Use the people around you; build your networks and relationships. If you have a question then ask; if you don’t know something then say ‘I don’t know’, because someone has that answer for you.”
E-mail: bsaunders@nlowe.org
Betty Morris
Business Start-Up Advisor, Labrador
Fun Fact:
Betty enjoys the outdoors, going to the cabin, fishing and berry picking. Betty loves berry picking so much that she has even carried her baby in his car seat (with a fly screen over it) up into the hills to pick berries while the baby slept.
Business Tip:
“If you dream about starting your own business doing something that you love, then go for it. Live your dream and have no regrets.”
E-mail: bmorris@nlowe.org
Carla May
Business Growth Advisor, Western & Labrador
Fun Fact:
Carla’s very first summer job was working for her brothers at their hot dog stand enterprise when she was 14 years old.
Business Tip:
“Take every opportunity to meet and network with other business owners to share challenges and successes, together we’re better.”
E-mail: cmay@nlowe.org
Business Start-Up Advisor, Avalon
Position Currently Vacant
For any inquiries please contact: info@nlowe.org
Deborah Youden
Export Consultant (Contracted)
Fun Fact:
Deborah loves playing tennis and hopes that one day she will get to Wimbledon…as a spectator.
Business Tip:
“Be open to the world but stay concentrated on your business niche.”
E-mail: dyouden@nlowe.org
Sarah Flynn
Project Coordinator
Fun Fact:
Sarah loves to run! Her last big race was a half-marathon through the streets of Chicago.
Business Tip:
People will return to a business for good customer service!
E-mail: sflynn@nlowe.org
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Position Currently Vacant
For any inquiries please contact, Krista Hazlie at khazlie@nlowe.org
Janice Sheppard
Finance Consultant
Fun Fact:
Janice loves to travel and cruising is one of her favourite types of vacation. She got the cruising bug after winning a 5-day Western Carribbean cruise in 2017. It was a memorable trip and she looks forward to lots of travel again in the future!
Business Tip:
“Don’t be afraid to seek help and advice when needed, and ask for customer feedback. The knowledge you obtain to help you grow and enhance your business is invaluable.”
E-mail: jsheppard@nlowe.org
HELPING WOMEN SUCCEED IN BUSINESS
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