From Conversation to Impact: Kari Kylo at the Women in Business Panel
Kari Kylo, SOMA’s Founder and Managing Director, was one of the inspiring speakers at the North Vancouver Chamber’s Women in Business event. She was joined by a lineup of dynamic women, including Mariana Freitas, Emily Kerr, and Maryam Nani.
The event opened on a powerful note with a keynote address from Kim Stegeman-Lowe, who shared a moving reflection on being placed in high-risk situations as a woman and expected to “clean up the mess.” She emphasized the need to create more equitable opportunities, ones that don’t rely on proving capability under worst-case circumstances, but instead foster supportive and inclusive pathways to success.
Patrick Stafford-Smith, CEO of the North Vancouver Chamber, welcomed attendees before moderator Kimberly Knook introduced the panelists and guided a thoughtful discussion. The conversation explored the challenges of being a woman in business, scaling teams and organizations, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
When asked to share her advice, Kari emphasized the importance of taking agency in your career. She encouraged building meaningful connections through networking—whether over coffee chats or walks—and going beyond initial introductions to nurture those relationships and make a lasting impression. As she shared, “If you’re wanting to do something whether it’s changing your career or starting something new, don’t wait for the perfect time, because there will never be one. It’s about starting today and building momentum. You’ll learn along the way.”
Reflecting on her 30 years of experience in Communications, Kari also highlighted SOMA PR’s values as a B Corp certified agency. She underscored the importance of being intentional about client selection, focusing on organizations driving impact particularly in the tech and climate space “to create meaningful, strategic change.”
Kari also spoke to the importance of trust in leadership, emphasizing that growth doesn’t come from doing more or working harder, but from doing the right work with the right team.
