February.24.2018

VP Message: Get to know your next BPW Saskatoon President

Krista Martens
Vice President, BPW Saskatoon

I was looking for a fun and relaxed way to introduce myself to each of you. Since a coffee date with 60+ ladies may be hard to arrange, I came up with the idea of answering a list of fun question to tell you a bit more about who I am & what I’ll bring to BPW over the next couple of years.

1. What is a life motto or philosophy you live by?
Be intentional with your words and listen more than you speak.

2. What’s your biggest dream for BPW?
My biggest dream would be to create an environment where our members feel supported in all they do both professionally and personally.

3. Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader & why?
I’d have to say a huge influencer, and even though I don’t know her personally, would be Brene Brown. She’s articulate, insightful, kindhearted and shows vulnerability. All qualities I believe a leader must possess.

4. Describe your first car?
It was a cherry red Chevy Monza. Go google it! I bought it with cash from a family friend and proceeded to drive that car all over the place. Didn’t look like much but got me from point A to point B.

5. What is one of your guilty pleasure?
80’s hairbands. I’m a big music fan and have always had a soft spot for the the big hair, power ballads and outfits of the 80’s.

6. How did you meet your husband?
We met when my music teacher, who lived in Tugaske (for those who might know this quaint little town) asked him to play guitar on a piece of music I was performing. It took him almost 6 months after that to work up the courage to ask me out. That was in Grade 9…we’ve been together since then.

7. What tops your bucket list?
These days travel seems to be topping the list. Greece, Italy, England, Scotland all top the wish list. My family ancestors comes from Scotland and Wales so I’d love a trip to see those areas.

8. What is the biggest challenge facing BPW today?
In my view, our biggest challenge is member engagement. Our organization has one of the largest BPW memberships in the country but we also have the same 20-25 people actively volunteering. With any volunteer organization you have this delicate balance of asking for volunteers but finding a way of not continually asking for them to give more. Reality is that this is not a new issue, just one I feel very strongly that we can improve upon.

9. What one accomplishment are you most proud of?
Running my business for the last 10 years. I think I’ve learnt more in the last 5 years than I ever have. Every day I learn something new and that is exciting to me!

10. Who’s one of the Celebrities on your Freebie List?
How can you do one of these lists without at least one item attached to Friends hey? Well I’d say the top of my list would have to be Channing Tatum and given then a certain BPW Board member happened to be in the same room as him last year, I’d say that may be as close as I will get.

11. What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
I recently enrolled in a 10 month immersion program for women where I’m digging deeper into my own self discovery. I believe as a leader, I need to know my own strengths and by doing so I’ll then have the tools to help other women discover theirs.

12. What books are you currently reading?
I have 3 on the go. Feminine Genius by LiYanna Silver, Get Rich Lucky Bitch by Denise Duffield Thomas and Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver.

13. What are you most thankful for today?
Flexibility in my life. It’s the spring break week from school so I’ve doing the dance of Mom and Entrepreneur. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Krista Martens
Vice President, BPW Saskatoon

Find out more about Krista in her BPW Saskatoon Member Profile. Or, come hear her speak live as part of the panel discussion following LUNAFEST on March 7, 2018.