In this engaging conversation, Sheldon Levy reflects on his extensive career in education, sharing insights on leadership, the importance of critical thinking, and the impact of mentorship. He discusses his journey from a lower middle-class background to becoming a prominent figure in Canadian education, emphasizing the significance of taking risks and building community. Throughout the dialogue, Levy highlights the lessons learned from influential figures in his life and the impo...

In this episode, Kirstyn DeVries reflects on her personal journey, exploring themes of change, purpose, and resilience. She shares insights from her life experiences, including her upbringing, career, and personal challenges, and how these have shaped her current outlook and podcasting journey. Kirstyn emphasizes the importance of adapting to change and finding one's purpose through choice and self-awareness. Takeaways Change is a constant and embracing it leads to growth.Purpose is grounded ...

A Veteran's Journey of Discipline, Disruption, and Driving Change in Tech and Beyond Join this inspiring conversation with Tony Margiotta, Vetran, and Head of UK Business 3S Money, exploring his journey from a military career to becoming a prominent figure in the FinTech community. Discover the lessons learned, the importance of community, and the power of discipline and purpose. Bio: Today our guest’s story is a compelling blueprint for discipline, global leadership, and reinvention—please j...

Justin Fogarty, co-founder of Talk A Mile, discusses his journey from a tech career to founding a nonprofit focused on fostering conversations between students and police trainees. The conversation explores the impact of movement on dialogue, the challenges of scaling a nonprofit, and the importance of curiosity and active listening in education and community building. Bio: Justin and his family are based on the west coast of the United States, in Portland Oregon where he lives with his wife ...

Alex Staniforth is a record-breaking adventurer, ultra-runner, author, and charity founder from Chester who is no stranger to overcoming challenges. By the age of nineteen, he had already survived the two biggest disasters in Mount Everest history. Yet his greatest obstacles have been closer to home: living with mental ill health, epilepsy, a stammer, and bullying. Alex is the author of Icefall and Another Peak, and the founder of the mental health charity Mind Over Mountains. His endurance f...

Bev founded Churchill & Partners in 2018, specialising in Intelligent Retail Strategy for World-Class Developments, creating and cultivating value for world-class clients through innovative commercial and creative strategies tailored for Retail, Dining, and Entertainment destinations. Bev draws on deep expertise gained from 25 years in retail and real estate, including transformative roles at Selfridges and Covent Garden, where she significantly contributed to shaping two of London’s most...

Mark Busse is a Canadian brand strategist, leadership coach, facilitator, and professional instigator who helps leaders turn purpose into performance. A flâneur at heart, he’s known for designing the conversations that build brands—blending strategy, facilitation, and coaching to align story, culture, and execution. As co-founder of Industrial Brand, Mark led AEC firms to differentiate beyond “prettymaking”; today he partners with founders, creative leads, and civic organisations to sharpen p...

In this episode of "Pace & Purpose," host Kirstyn DeVries sits down with Drew Dugan, founder of DVLP Music, to explore his transformative journey from addiction to entrepreneurship. Drew shares insights on personal development, the power of music, and the importance of embracing one's true self. Tune in to discover how Drew's experiences have shaped his mission to inspire and educate others. Drew Dugan is a music producer, educator, and founder of DVLP Academy, a cutting-edge ...

Kathy is a 2 time Olympian, competed at 21 world championships including a team bronze medal and several individual top 10 finishes. Kathy was a 5 x NCAA champion while competing at the University of Wisconsin and multiple time British and Canadian national champion. Kathy had coached for over 25 years starting as a volunteer coach at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and then at Stanford University. She currently coaches post-collegiate athletes with Run Boulder Athletic Club in Bou...

Nicholas Turco is a professional mountain runner and international human rights advocate whose career bridges athletics, law, and social impact. Ranked among the top 30 mountain runners in the world, Nicholas has competed on the Golden Trail World Series and represented brands like Salomon and INOV8. But his influence extends beyond the trails. As a Savit Scholar at the University of Colorado Boulder, Nicholas envisioned and spearheaded the university’s first NCAA scholarship program to...

Alex Kolodkin is the founder and CEO of Set Scouter, a film locations marketplace that simplifies commercial and film production scouting across North America. Founded in Toronto, the company is backed by investors from Silicon Valley and Canada - and continues to set the industry standard for sourcing sets of all kinds, from small indie films, TV series, and cinematic blockbusters. Set Scouter serves thousands of major brands and agencies, including Google, Walmart, Disney, and McDonal...

Kim Rowell is the Managing Editor of News Production at ITN and passionate advocate for amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities through storytelling, a commitment that has defined her career over the past two decades. With an impressive portfolio that spans major broadcasters, independent production companies, and publishers, Kim has established herself as a leading figure in the realm of creative content. Her work is not only recognised for its artistic merit but al...

Valerie Fox is an expert in building thriving entrepreneurial communities, both locally and globally, by fostering partnerships and embracing intentional diversity. Based in Toronto, Canada, she’s perhaps best known as the co-founder and former Executive Director of the DMZ, a leading innovation hub. More recently, she founded The Pivotal Point, where she’s helping grow community-based incubators worldwide through coaching, mentoring, and co-creation. With over 30 years of experie...

Amritpal Ghatora is a British-born Indian distance runner, coach, and inclusive community builder based in London. Amrit is the UK community and marketing manager for TrackSmith, shaping vibrant grassroots runs like speed workouts on the track and the famous TrackSmith Sunday Church of the Long Run. He has completed an astounding 29 marathons to date and is a proud six star finisher of the Abbott World Marathon majors. Amrit ran his first marathon in London back in 2008 with a tim...

Rosemary is an entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience in wealth & tax advisory where she has been recognised with multiple awards and repeatedly in industry media for her business standards and quality of service. Just a decade into her advisory career, Rosemary managed $220M in assets under management for her clients. She is a published author of Practicing Hospitality: The Art and Science of Hosting in Your Home. She is an advocate of women, and lives by the philosophy...

Chantal Epp is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, 2x World Champion Cheerleader, and founder of ClicknClear, a music rights tech and licensing company solving copyright infringement issues across choreographed sports and performing arts worldwide. ClicknClear was awarded a United Nations Innovation Award from the World Intellectual Property Organization, and Chantal has previously been featured in the Financial Times, named as one of the 50 Most Inspiring Women in Tech in the UK. ...

Lydia is a UK-based artist whose work embodies the power of athleticism and movement with a focus on the representation of women through figurative painting, printmaking, and drawing. She is particularly interested in how women have influenced the trajectory of Art. Lydia holds an MFA in Painting from the Slade School of Fine Art at University College London and a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from Goldsmiths College, University of London. She is also a fine art tutor at Open College of...

Franke is a Partner and CEO of Anomaly, an internationally awarded creative marketing and advertising agency (named the “#1 Advertising Agency of the Year” in 2017 and 2022). His current client list includes brands like: Amazon Ads, Albertsons, Bud Light, Celsius, Chevy, Diageo, Ferrero, Google Shopping, Starbucks, and Target. Franke joined Anomaly 18 years ago starting in the New York office as a junior account person with the ability to span the traditional world and the digita...

Natasha Wodak is a professional runner, 20 time Canadian national team member, Olympian and Canadian women's record holder in the marathon at (2:23:12). Natasha is a 2 time olympian in (2016 in the 10,000m) and (2020 in the marathon) She has been making a full time career in the sport of running for over 8 years and is a beacon of inspiration to athletes around the globe. Her journey has taken her from school races at the age of 7 to a professional career into her 30s and 40s. She...

Welcome to Pace & Purpose, a podcast hosted by Kirstyn DeVries—global connector, growth strategist, and distance runner. In this podcast, you’ll hear from founders, leaders, and athletes who’ve gone all in, hit setbacks, recalibrated—and come back sharper, more grounded, and driven to succeed. These are conversations about bold pivots, relentless ambition, and the mindset shifts behind sustained performance, setting you on the course to your highest potential. Because whether you’re leadi...