6th Annual Cranbrook Chamber Women’s Conference

Chasing Balance & Choosing Self

This year’s theme, “Chasing Balance & Choosing Self,” encouraged participants to reconnect with themselves, establish healthy boundaries, and prioritize the practices and habits that support overall wellness.

The conference emphasized the importance of balance in today’s fast-paced environment and created space for women to reflect on how they can better support themselves both personally and professionally.

Event Highlights

Attendees enjoyed:

  • Inspiring workshops led by engaging local speakers
  • Meaningful networking and connection opportunities
  • Practical tools and strategies to support wellness and growth
  • Delicious food and refreshments throughout the day
  • A supportive and empowering atmosphere designed to encourage self-investment and reflection

The conference welcomed women from a variety of professional backgrounds, all united by a shared desire to pursue balance, personal growth, and community connection.

Calling all professional women from Cranbrook – The 6th Annual Cranbrook Chamber Women’s Conference returns May 8th at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort for a day dedicated to connection, reflection, and personal growth.

Join us as we delve into this year’s theme, “Chasing Balance & Choosing Self”. This conference is about reconnecting with yourself, respecting boundaries, and making space for what fuels your well-being. 

Expect delicious food, engaging workshops with inspiring local speakers, and walk away with practical tools to support both your personal and professional life. 

This event is open to all women who are ready to invest in themselves.

If you are chasing balance in our busy life, this will be a day well spent.  

 

Meet the Presenters

Lanna van der Velden

Lanna is the founder of Elevated Perspective Ltd and a mental fitness educator specializing in practical tools that strengthen emotional regulation, clarity, and self-leadership.

Drawing from both lived experience and neuroscience-informed training, she helps women move toward grounded confidence and intentional choice.

Her work blends insight with embodied practice, giving participants tools they can use immediately in everyday life.

Lynnette Wray

Lynnette Wray is originally from Alberta and has been very proud to call Cranbrook home for the past thirty years.

Dedicating her career to the non-profit field, Lynnette has worked with a variety of organizations throughout the East Kootenay region, including her current role, starting in 2017, as the Executive Director of the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies.

Lynnette is active in the community, as a member and past president (2020-2021) of Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary and a board member

of StellerVista Credit Union (2016 to present), including serving as Board Chair for the past four years. Lynnette has a B.A. in Psychology as well as an M.Ed. in Adult, Community, and Higher Education. She is an Accredited Canadian Credit Union Director and has earned her ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. In 2022, Lynnette was elected to Cranbrook City Council, earning the highest number of votes of any candidate.

Lynnette, along with her husband Ross, keeps busy with their teenagers’ activities, plays women’s hockey, and entertains the family corgi. Lynnette believes in the power of community and seeks opportunities to create lasting positive impact.

Dr. Greg Andreas

Dr. Greg Andreas is a family physician who has served the Cranbrook community for more than 17 years, bringing a compassionate, story-centered approach to patient care. Originally from a mining town in Springs, South Africa, his early experiences shaped a practical, problem-solving path into medicine and rural practice. After moving to Canada, he and his wife spent seven years working in Peguis, Manitoba, where community connections and First Nations culture deepened his belief that great care begins with understanding a person’s life story.

In Cranbrook, Dr. Andreas has become a leader

in family medicine, palliative care, and team-based health care. A pivotal experience caring for a dying patient reinforced his commitment to asking what matters most to people, not just treating illness. Today, he co-leads the Curiosity, Frailty & Palliative Care regional project, helping expand compassionate, person-centered care across the East Kootenay while continuing to support patients and families in Cranbrook.

Dr. Lori Wik

Dr. Lori Wik is a general internal medicine specialist who has become a key leader in healthcare in Cranbrook and across the East Kootenay. Born in nearby Kimberley and married to a Cranbrook local, she returned to the community 13 years ago after completing her medical training in Edmonton to build both her career and family life. In Cranbrook, Dr. Wik provides acute and ICU care at the hospital while also supporting patients in the community alongside family physicians. She has helped launch several innovative programs, including the Heart Function Program—now serving more than 800 patients across the region—and a Respiratory Clinic focused on COPD and asthma care. Dr. Wik also co-leads the Curiosity, Frailty & Palliative Care project. Through her clinical care, leadership, and commitment to compassionate medicine, Dr. Wik continues to strengthen patient-centered healthcare in Cranbrook.

Therapeutic Paws of Canada™ is a registered charity offering free therapy pet visitations. Currently over 500 volunteers across Canada donate more than 100,000 hours of time annually to the various programs offered.

Therapeutic Paws of Canada™ (TPOC) is a volunteer-based organization that provides therapy dog/cat visitation programs for senior’s, children, and youth.

The facility staff tell us that therapy pets impact the daily lives of many by helping to reduce stress, improve communication for those who struggle, lower blood pressure, and improve an individual’s emotional state.

Our call to action of “Paws With Love To Share” enhances the quality of life and health through the animal/human bond.

Participant info

Your name

Section 1: Overall Experience

1. Overall, how would you rate this conference?(Required)
2. Did the conference meet your expectations?(Required)

Section 2: Presenters

The Chamber thoughtfully curated a panel of speakers and guests who we felt would inspire, connect/relate, and leave a lasting impact while offering meaningful takeaways and plenty of food for thought. Please rate how well each presenter reached the above-mentioned Chamber goals.
4. Lanna van der Velden: Chasing Balance Starts Within: Learning to Say Yes to Yourself(Required)
5. Lynnette Wray: Sharing Our Stories – Creating Balance and Defining Self(Required)
6. Dr. Greg Andreas & Dr. Lori Wik: What Matters Most to You? A Curious Approach to Uncertainties(Required)
7. Therapeutic Paws of Canada(Required)
8. Wind down with Karen McAllister(Required)

Section 3: Networking Activities & Slido

9. Morning icebreaker activity: The river rock/bright gem icebreaker activity was designed to help break the ice at your table, foster a sense of shared experience, and encourage reflection on the conference’s content. How effective was it?(Required)
10. Pairing networking activity: The Famous Women Quotes activity was designed to help you connect with someone you may not have already known, spark conversation and meaningful interaction with fellow conference attendees, and pair you up for the following presentation. How effective was it?(Required)
12. Did you make meaningful connections during the conference?(Required)
13. The goal of using Slido was to introduce a new tool for engagement in large groups, help gauge the energy in the room, and create opportunities for sharing, connection, and vulnerability among attendees. How did you feel about using Slido?(Required)

Section 4: Women's Conference 2027

15. How likely are you to attend this conference again next year?(Required)
16. How likely are you to recommend this conference to a friend or colleague?(Required)
17. What topics would you be most interested in hearing about at next year’s Women’s Conference? Check all that apply:

Section 5: Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce

19. Did you learn anything new about the work of the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce?(Required)
20. Are you interested in volunteering with the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce?(Required)

Section 6: Impact & Takeaways

22. Did this conference leave you feeling (check all that apply):
23. Have you taken any action or made any changes as a result of attending the conference?(Required)

Section 7: Final Comment & Consent

25. Do you consent to the Chamber using your feedback in follow-up marketing efforts and to help promote next year’s event?(Required)