A WOMAN OF FIRSTS

• Established, Fairy Godmother Foundation, 2006
• Launched the Fairy Godmother Project, 2003 - 2007
• Established the bi-annual London Women’s Business Conference, 1995 – 2007
• Launched the first Women’s Showcase in London, 1986 – 1992
• Created the first Charity Bachelor Auction, 1989 - 1991
• Established the first Taste of London, 1990
• Established the first annual London Business Women’s Directory,1989 - 2007
• Created the first Women’s Tradeshow in English Canada, Halifax, 1983 - 1992
• Became Canada’s youngest Certified Graphoanalyst, 1972 - present
• Became Canada’s youngest Forensic Document Examiner, 1974 - present
• Became Canada’s first Graphoanalyst in radio, television, & newspaper, 1972 - 1985

CAREER

Founder/Producer, Fairy Godmother Project, London, November 2003 - 2009
• Launched the Fairy Godmother Project by donating $500 to five women who were commissioned to do something wonderful for a needy person, organization, or event.
• Three years later, conference attendees have contributed and distributed $8200, which has materialized into over $125,000 in funds, products and services. Ten more projects are now in progress and will be reported at the Conference in 2007. The motto: ‘One person CAN make a difference!’

Founder/Organizer, The London Women’s Business Conference, 1995 to 2009
• Established to facilitate business, professional and corporate women in London to educate, inspire excellence and promote lasting business connections which benefit the women and the community.
• Conference speakers are women in our community. They present themselves and their achievements and inspire attendees to set and attain their own goals.
• Over 30,000 women have attended the bi-annual event.

Founder/Publisher, The London Business Women’s Directory, 1989 to 2009
• Annually published, The Women’s Business Directory has become London's foremost resource for working women, helping to maintain connections and to find products, services and information they need, while supporting each other.
• Manage a database of 2500 top level business, professional & corporate women in London and area.

Founder/Producer, The Women’s Showcase, London, 1985 - 1991
• After a move from Halifax so her children could attend university, recognized that London had no event for women, so established the Women’s Showcase – a three-day event which included seminars, displays, fashion, education, and networking opportunities for all women. There was something for everyone - those with small children, working, retired, married or single women.

Founder/Producer, Canadian Women’s Exhibition, Halifax, 1983 - 1984
• Established the first trade show for women in English Canada. It included displays, educational seminars, demonstrations, fashion, entertainment, and networking. Those two shows became the basis for a Women’s Show that continued for years after our move to London in 1985.

Certified Graphoanlyst & Forensic Document Examiner, 1972 - 2009
• Certified Graphoanalyst, first in Canada to practice full time in the profession.
• Forensic Document Examiner, 1974 - 2007.
• Newspaper columnist, a column that quickly became the most popular in the Ottawa Journal and Dartmouth Free Press. ‘You and Your Handwriting’ columns continued to run for several years in the Halifax Herald, Montreal Star, the Toronto Sun, and guest columns throughout the country in various newspapers. The focus was always to educate people about their own personalities and talents.
• Television broadcaster - weekly programs on CFPL TV London and CJCH Halifax
• Radio broadcaster, daily radio shows on CFPL radio London and CJCH radio Halifax.
• Media guest throughout North America, on television, radio and newspaper specials.
• Conference presenter across the country, teaching handwriting analysis as a way to understand personality and character, and as a document examiner.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Bachelor of Arts, Honours Anthropology, University of Western Ontario, 1993 Studied and graduated while raising three children on her own

Forensic Document Examiner, World Association of Document Examiners, 1974

Certified Graphoanalyst, International Graphoanalysis Society, 1972

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Breast Cancer Society – 2 years
Cross Cultural Learner's Centre – 3 years
London Women for Afghani Women – 3 years
Volunteer Fundraiser, Numerous local non profit organizations – 17 years
London host to international young women students – 20 years
Volunteer, Brass Roots Musical Performers, 4 years
Teacher volunteer of ESL to Vietnamese following fall of Saigon, 1974-1976
Personal community projects for the elderly, and individuals in need – 1993 - 2008

Conference Comments

“Thank you for your dedication, perseverance, tenacity & professionalism in being a supporter and advocate of women and the many roles we play. You touch my heart in a special way” Marilyn Harris, March of Dimes

“I cannot express my gratitude and appreciation to be welcomed into a learning experience and a day of warmth and comfort that only women can give, share and appreciate. Thank you!” Carmela Ianni, Quixtar Corporation

“… wonderful opportunity to network with so many women in business…” London Battered Women’s Advocacy Centre

“…thoroughly enjoyed the Women’s Conference….guest speakers were a source of inspiration… networking opportunities were beneficial… and most of all the camaraderie” and “I gained a wealth of valuable information from all the speakers..presentations on attitudinal management and client service especially beneficial” Dr. Sayeeda Hosein, Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic.

“…purpose was to network with other business women and educate myself….definitely a worthwhile day…impressed with the calibre of speakers and organization of the event” Virginia Jamieson, Brantford

“…speakers played a crucial role by telling stories of problems and successes. I had fallen prey to ..tunnel vision and have taken measures towards remedying that tendency..” Jane Atkinson-White

“…a superb job of organizing… loved the marketing theme and all the speakers.” Cindy Palajac

“…far exceeded my expectations…made valuable business contacts and gleaned all the marketing information for immediate use..” Beverley Maranger, Stratford

“congratulations…informative and enjoyable Women’s Conference. As a Team Performance Specialist, I noticed your team worked well together. You must be an excellent leader to inspire such teamwork in your group” Barb Halle (Smith)

“I could feel the warmth and empowerment as soon as I entered the room! I found myself wanting to surround myself with women like you and other inspiring presenters and guests” Mary Turner, St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital

“It is kind of you to honor the women you know. Recognizing events and support of your peers is a very great thing. We do not honor women enough. In turn, we honor you” Marg Petznick, Sutton Realty

“I was thrilled by the level of participation and the sheer energy that a group of women can generate when in one room together” Cindy Henry, Workplace Safety & Insurance Board

“…the most wonderful conference experience I’ve had in a long time!” Ginny Poon

“Thank you for bringing together so many role models for young women” Jennifer Murray

“…awesome & motivational atmosphere…” Tracey White

“… (the conference) is a demonstration of the gentle power of women” Francie Stewart

“This day is a great opportunity to share our dreams with others and to be lifted up by the strength and spirit of many women”, Francine Slee

“Thank you for your dedication, perseverance, tenacity and professionalism in being a supporter and advocate of women and the many roles we play. You touch my heart in a special way.” ~ Marilyn Harris, March of Dimes

“I cannot express my gratitude and appreciation to be welcomed into a learning experience and a day of warmth and comfort that only women can give, share and appreciate. Thank you!” ~ Carmela Ianni, Quixtar Corporation

“…purpose was to network with other business women and educate myself; definitely a worthwhile day. I was impressed with the calibre of speakers and organization of the event.” ~ Virginia Jamieson, Brantford

“I could feel the warmth and empowerment as soon as I entered the room! I found myself wanting to surround myself with women like you and other inspiring presenters and guests.” ~ Mary Turner, St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital

“It is kind of you to honour the women you know. Recognizing events and support of your peers is a very great thing. We do not honour women enough. In turn, we honour you.” ~ Marg Petznick, Sutton Realty

“I was thrilled by the level of participation and the sheer energy that a group of women can generate when in one room together.” ~ Cindy Henry, Workplace Safety & Insurance Board

“Thank you for bringing together so many role models for young women.”
~ Jennifer Murray

“Diann is a quiet leader who doesn't make a huge statement about her accomplishments and passion for women's issues. She just does it. Her strong commitment to making a difference in women's lives has spanned a 20 year period. Specifically the past few years with the Fairy Godmother projects, it is like magic observing the process. To see young and young at heart women take the challenge to make a difference in their community is like being invited into someone's living room to share an intimate moment.

Each women's conference has taken on a new level of enthusiasm and energy in challenging women to pursue an avenue little or big that will help, change, develop understanding or simply feel good with the fairy godmother money. Diann is clearly an influential leader to inspiring women to share their talents, their fears and their futures together.” Gayle White-Malloy, Dovetail Inc.

1. Diann is recognized as a pioneer in self development and having the insight to surround herself with grounded, energetic, professional, respected and highly motivated successful women who support each other in business, personally, spiritually and guide each other through success and troublesome challenges when needed.

2. Diann is generous, of herself and shares her inner strength to those who need of it occasionally or continuously.

3. In the 80's Diann was new to London and researched our market to find what was needed to help recognize women of all groups, generations, races, religions and careers. She was instrumental in instilling confidence, perseverance, tenacity and highlighting the priority of family first and always and still being able to competently and successfully compete in what was then 'a man's world'.

4. As a role model one word comes to mind TENACITY and one survival quote "Be true to yourself" first, and you will be able to take care of everyone else in your heart (my personal belief). Marilyn Harris, CHRP, Placement and Training Coordinator, Job Finding Club Instructor/Job Developer, ONTARIO MARCH OF DIMES, South West Region

Statement of Merit: M. Diann Vail, By Kathy Smith

Diann Vail merits recognition as a Woman of Excellence. Diann is the President of The Women’s Conference and Directory, a huge achievement for one woman.

Achievements

For more than 20 years, Diann has worked tirelessly to promote and support London and area working women. More than 30,000 women have attended the networking and training events organized by Diann to foster valuable connections inspiring excellence and promoting lasting business relationships. Diann has also published and distributed over 70,000 copies of The London Women’s Directory, the foremost print resource for London and area business women.

Contribution to the Development of Individuals

Thousands of women have praised Diann’s efforts and for being a source of inspiration and motivation. Below is a sampling of some of the heartfelt remarks that have been documented at the end of each showcase, conference and/or workshop.

Contribution to the Community

As a social entrepreneur, Diann Vail saw no conflict between her interest in being in business and the call to service. She initiated and organized many new projects to raise funds for non-profit organizations.

Most recently, she has established The Fairy Godmother Foundation. A portion of the profits from The Women’s Conferences (together with the donations collected at the Conference) are used to launch new community initiatives to improve the quality of life for those in our community and beyond. Over 61 projects have been started since its inception. One project raised money to assist the GoGo Grannies in South Africa who are raising their grandchildren because their parents have died of AIDS.

As a volunteer, Diann has been involved with her church and several organizations over the years.

Other Outstanding Characteristics

In November 2006, Diann Vail was the recipient of “The Leading Women Building Communities Award,” by the Honourable Sandra Pupatello, Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues for exceptional community leadership improving the lives of women and girls in Ontario. As a role model, Diann has inspired mothers to run a business from their home in order to have maximum involvement with their children.

“So much of what I do relies strongly on the types of inter-dependent relationships I created over 30 years ago as an entrepreneur and sole parent provider for my family. I remember back then, when child support was seldom enforced and women had few, if any, community resources. A few of us – mothers of young children – banded together to help each other. We became stronger because we could draw on resources beyond our own.

Inter-dependence became my mantra; a philosophy whereby people rely on each other, and share their knowledge and experience for mutual benefit. This is how my adult life began. The concept applies equally to business and to raising children and this vision has been and remains very much a part of my entire life.” ~ Diann Vail