About WomenSpeakUp

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At WomenSpeakUp, we started as a vision of our founder, Richard Clost, to create an organization where women would  find a place of belonging, get the support, encouragement and guidance to become anything they want to be . He wanted to create a place where women would  know that they have a voice and that they matter! Together with his wife, Halcian who felt a calling to help women like herself show up more confidently and assertively, they have created unique programs to advance the personal growth and development of women. Drawing on the values of their Christian faith, with the contributions of an amazing and dedicated  team,  and with hard work, determination, and incredible community support, Women Speak Up has grown into the organization we are today. 

DeArthie Bell is a visionary leader and life coach with over three decades of corporate experience. Her career has been defined by a steadfast commitment to personal and professional growth, consistently championing the development of individuals and teams to help them thrive. DeArthie has a natural ability to inspire others, fostering environments where purpose and potential converge.

In 2020, DeArthie launched Coaching with DeArthie, a platform designed to extend her reach and empower a global audience. Through engaging workshops, webinars, mastermind classes, and podcast appearances, she shares her insights and expertise to spark transformation in others.

Whether facilitating training sessions, delivering motivational talks, or coaching individuals one-on-one, DeArthie is dedicated to helping people embrace their potential, step into their purpose, and make a lasting impact. Her depth of experience and passion for meaningful change make her a trusted voice and an exceptional partner for organizations committed to growth and empowerment.

 Guy Serge Bodo is an event strategist and communications expert with over 16 years of  experience leading high-impact projects across West Africa and, more recently, in Canada. With  a career rooted in meticulous event execution, stakeholder engagement, and communication  strategy, Guy Serge has built a reputation for transforming ideas into memorable experiences for  corporations, governments, and communities alike.  As the founder and director of JO COM, an event communication agency in Côte d’Ivoire, he  led numerous corporate and institutional events—from large-scale conferences to product  launches—delivering seamless execution and measurable results. His leadership extended to  managing complex budgets, negotiating with diverse partners, and developing communication  plans that amplified sponsor visibility and audience engagement.  Earlier in his career, Guy Serge served as Senior Communication Officer at the Government  Information and Communication Center, where he played a pivotal role in organizing landmark  events like the International Conference on the Emergence of Africa, bringing together heads of  state and global economic leaders.  Now based in Ottawa, Guy Serge continues to apply his expertise through volunteer roles  supporting local organizations like Women Speak Up, combining his passion for social impact  with his flair for event planning and community outreach. His recent completion of the Canadian  Job Market Integration Program at La Cité marks a new chapter in his journey, as he expands his  professional footprint in North America.  A bilingual communicator—fluent in French with intermediate English proficiency—Guy Serge  is driven by a deep commitment to excellence, collaboration, and purposeful engagement.  Whether leading teams, building partnerships, or bringing visions to life, he remains a trusted  force in the fields of event management and strategic communication 

Chimankpa Vivian Udoji is a lawyer called to the Nigerian Bar Association in 2022 and has since been practicing as an advocate for women empowerment and development.

She has a passion for women's empowerment which has reflected in her contributions in various non governmental organizations focused on giving women voices and a community where they will feel welcomed. She has through various foundations she is involved with in Nigeria developed and implemented advocacy campaigns promoting women's rights and activism. Through her professional influence in the legal field, she has been able to collaborate with government stakeholders to inform policy decisions and promote gender equality.

Vannesa Cardona is a dedicated advocate for gender equity, social justice, and community empowerment with extensive experience in social media strategy, event coordination and frontline support for victims of crime. She brings a multidisciplinary lens to her work, combining creative communications, community-based research, and crisis response to uplift and support those most impacted by violence and systemic barriers.

Her background includes providing direct support to survivors of gender-based violence, managing volunteer teams during community events, and developing strategic digital content to raise awareness and engagement. Throughout her career, she has contributed to research projects, supported crisis intervention efforts, and built capacity within community programs to enhance their effectiveness and reach.