SMLS alumnae return to campus, sharing the gift of mentorship and career inspiration

Each of the alumna who returned to the school for this Career Panel has taken a unique trajectory in their career, but all had inspiring and motivating stories to share with our students who are eagerly preparing for their next steps.

 

This most recent Career Panel featured:

 

Effie Bouras holds degrees in planning, engineering, and architecture, with over 15 years of professional experience. In addition to her practice, she has served as an adjunct professor for several years, instructing courses in planning, architecture, and structural design.  Her doctoral dissertation in Urban Planning, which was the first dissertation in North America on the topic of Landscape Urbanism, critically examined modern urban development processes, specifically addressing some of the most pressing challenges of the 20th century, such as deindustrialization, and proposing cross-disciplinary solutions to address these issues through case studies of significant urban projects- Downsview Park in Toronto, the High Line, and Fresh Kills in New York. She has also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University’s Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, where her research focused on assessing seismic vulnerability and risk mitigation strategies for non-structural components in post-critical buildings, particularly hospitals in the Montreal area. During her time at McGill, she created the exhibit "Considering the Quake," which premiered at the Design Exchange in Toronto and was later showcased at the American Institute of Architects’ Center for Architecture in New York City, and named one of the top Events to watch for the year by Interior Design and Frame Magazine.

Bisma is a Serial Entrepreneur, on-air Dessert & Entertainment Expert (Marilyn Denis Show), mental health ambassador, and nationally ranked athlete. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bisma has offered free consulting services to small-business to help them pivot their operations, and has launched 9 new BIPOC businesses during this time.

Bisma owns The Bhatti Group of Companies Inc. which include her dessert & event planning companies (Café B, B's Truly Couture Cupcakes©, The Cupcake Café©, The Cupcake Truck©, and The Cupcake Chalet©), Upper Right Management (her consulting and branding firm), Lennon (a gender-free kids clothing company), the Pop-Up Series, #MentalHealthMondays, and her most recent series entitled #BismasBrides.

Bisma has successfully branded herself as the only Life Stylist© in the world, offering image consulting & brand management throughout North America and Europe, with offices in Toronto and Vancouver. Her most recent endeavors include the role of "Dessert & Entertaining Expert" on the Marilyn Denis show, and media training for professional athletes and other TV personalities. Bisma continues to launch new companies and pop-up concepts while investing in a number of Canadian start-ups. She routinely speaks at conferences, schools, and on podcasts about entrepreneurship, mental health, and female empowerment.

Last year Bisma created the Bisma M. Bhatti Trust for Young Entrepreneurs, a fund dedicated to providing tools and resources to young entrepreneurs across Canada. She is also a member of the Search & Rescue Association of Canada, President of the SMLS Alumnae Association, and former member of the Junior National Equestrian Team, Ireland.

Abbie is a seasoned real estate professional with a passion for pushing boundaries and creating unforgettable experiences. Rooted in the vibrant communities of Burlington and Oakville, Abbie's journey from St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School to earning an Honours double degree at the University of Laurier and a post-grad in Business at Ryerson University has been marked by a commitment to excellence.

Abbie's success story began in downtown Toronto, where she not only received an Award for Excellence for her leadership at a prominent corporation but also honed her skills in overseeing dynamic teams. It was during this time that Abbie discovered her calling for real estate, a passion she transformed into a flourishing career.

In her inaugural year, Abbie achieved remarkable success by selling multi-million dollar properties, earning accolades, and securing a prestigious award for commissions earned. However, what truly sets Abbie apart is her innovative approach to real estate marketing.

Abbie firmly believes in going beyond traditional methods and has pioneered extensive marketing campaigns that capture the essence of each property. Collaborating with some of the best photographers and videographers in the country, she ensures the creation of remarkable show-stopping marketing videos. One of her notable creations, a video featuring a ballerina gracefully moving through a luxury listing, exemplifies her dedication to creating immersive and memorable experiences for potential buyers. Abbie's commitment to storytelling extends to other viral videos, including a captivating "day in the life" at a home in Ancaster and videos that skillfully convey the warmth and feeling of various properties.

Her marketing arsenal includes door knocking, cold calling, meticulously crafted mailers, strategically placed magazine and newspaper ads, and much more. Abbie understands that selling a home is not just about showcasing its features but creating an emotional connection with prospective buyers.