In this episode of DRVN, Sara Nathanson shares how her early years in sports taught her leadership values that now guide her approach to creating a people-first culture at Aritzia. From driven athlete to empowered leader, Sara Nathanson’s journey to Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Aritzia is all about determination, teamwork, and leading with purpose.

Sara reflects on her career path, sharing stories of both challenges and triumphs that shaped her leadership philosophy. She provides listeners with actionable strategies for creating inclusive workplaces and emphasizes the critical role of relationships in driving success. This episode offers rich insights into leadership, team dynamics, and the art of cultivating a positive organizational culture, making it a must-listen for those looking to inspire and lead effectively.

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WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT

00:00 - Introduction: Anne’s admiration for Sarah

03:00 - Building Confidence: Family and sports influences

04:00 - Family Influence: How Sarah’s upbringing instilled resilience

08:15 - Starting Out at Aritzia: Sarah’s career progression

11:20 - Career Milestones at Aritzia: From part-time role to VP

15:30 - A People-First Approach: Why genuine connection matters

18:30 - Empowering Others: Building an inclusive culture at Aritzia

20:45 - Work-Life Balance: Reflections on family and motherhood

25:10 - Personal Life & Balance: Juggling career and motherhood

27:00 - Advice for Career Pivoting: Navigating professional growth

29:45 - Tips for Career Transitions: How to make a pivot confidently

32:15 - Embracing Authenticity: Sarah’s thoughts on self-worth

36:00 - Final Reflection: Finding value in one’s unique path

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MENTIONED

People:

• Brian Hill – Founder of Aritzia, discussed as part of Aritzia’s history and Sarah’s professional journey.
• Jennifer Wong – CEO of Aritzia, mentioned as a significant influence and supporter in Sarah’s career.
• Pippa Morgan – Head of Retail at Aritzia, referenced as a mentor who values team input and collaboration.
• Jeanette Gichan – Sarah’s former colleague at Aritzia who helped her get her first job at the company.
• Sarah’s Family Members – Frequent mentions of Sarah’s husband, son (Freddie), three older brothers, younger sister, and parents, who were all influential in her upbringing and character development.

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HOST LOOK

Top: FRAME

Jeans: Denim Forum (ARITZIA)

Shoes: Ilse Jacobsen

In this episode of DRVN - The Podcast, Kiara LeBlanc, co-founder and CEO of Lifted Movement, takes us through her inspiring journey of redefining fitness for the modern home. After experiencing a life-changing ski accident that led to knee surgery, Kiara reevaluated what wellness truly meant.

Alongside her mother, Kate Ross LeBlanc, she created Lifted Movement—a brand dedicated to merging aesthetically pleasing design with functional fitness equipment. Kiara discusses how their mission is to eliminate movement procrastination by making fitness a seamless part of daily life.

This episode highlights Kiara's insights on entrepreneurship, resilience, and the importance of accessibility in wellness. She also shares her vision for the future of Lifted Movement, including exciting educational initiatives aimed at empowering individuals to embrace movement in their everyday routines.

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Visit DRVN Website

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WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT

0:00 – Introduction and Welcome

2:30 – Finding Your Voice in a Family Business

6:00 – Kiara’s Wellness and Movement Journey

13:00 – The Inspiration Behind Lifted Movement

20:00 – The Shift to Functional Fitness

25:00 – Working with Family at Saje

30:00 – Entrepreneurship and Risk Management

36:00 – Product Development for Lifted Movement

45:00 – Vision for the Future of Lifted

50:00 – Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

MENTIONED

People:

Kate LeBlanc – Kiara’s mother and co-founder of Lifted Movement, also a co-founder of Saje Natural Wellness.

Behnad Honarbakhsh – Global thought leader in rehabilitation, injury prevention, and performance enhancement, collaborating with Lifted Movement for educational content.

Jean-Pierre LeBlanc – Co-founder of Saje Natural Wellness, mentioned in relation to his passion for the brand and his work ethic.

Books:

Zero to One by Peter Thiel – Kiara references this book in the context of entrepreneurship and business strategy, noting its focus on identifying secrets that great businesses possess.

Built to Move by Kelly Starrett and Juliet Starrett – Kiara mentioned this book in the context of movement, discussing the idea of limiting sitting time to less than six hours a day.

CONCEPTS/IDEAS REFERENCED

Top Grading – A system Kiara references during her time working at Saje, used to evaluate employee performance based on culture and proficiency.

Functional Movement – The core concept behind Lifted Movement, focusing on movement that supports real-life activities and physical health.

Peppermint Halo – A popular product from Saje Natural Wellness, which Kiara’s father was particularly passionate about.

Movement Cart – Part of Lifted Movement’s collection, inspired by the design of a bar cart, allowing users to store their fitness equipment in a stylish and accessible way.

In this episode of DRVN, Marie Khouri, a renowned sculptor, shares her incredible journey from Egypt to Canada and how her life's challenges have shaped her as an artist. She discusses her experiences growing up in Lebanon during the war, losing her father, and how immigrating to Canada changed her life. Marie delves into her diverse career path, which includes working as an interpreter and in finance before finding her true passion in sculpture. Through her work, she has expressed her deepest emotions, using art as a form of therapy and self-discovery. The conversation explores how sculpting became an outlet for processing loss, resilience, and the power of vulnerability in creative expression. Marie also highlights the art scene in Vancouver, the importance of public art, and her ongoing projects, including her upcoming exhibition in Egypt at the foot of the pyramids.

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Marie Khouri Website: https://www.mariekhouri.com

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DRVN Website: https://www.drvn.agency

Watch episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@drvn.agency?si=deZOoaUWTBJAHHvi

Welcome to DRVN, a podcast of elevating stories to inspire lives. Hosted by Anne Riesling, globally recognized athlete, entrepreneur, and founder of DRVN - The Agency. This is a space dedicated to diving deep into the stories that have shaped us into who we are today.

In a refreshing, story-telling format, Anne creates an open environment by sharing the relatable moments she deals with as a multifaceted woman, and invites her guests to do the same. Together they try to work through life’s challenges to provide solutions, explanations, and the reassurance that comes with building a community of driven humans.

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