Frank

Each year, in honour of International Women’s Month, Dayna Lapkovsky, CEO of Frank Women’s Leadership, opens dedicated time in her calendar for ambitious women across industries and entrepreneurial paths.

What began as a simple gesture has become an annual initiative. Over the past few years, she’s had the privilege of supporting incredible women as they navigate pivotal moments in their careers.

The frank Hotline is back.
It’s a dedicated opportunity to book a 1:1 frank-talk: a focused, strategic conversation designed to bring clarity, confidence, and forward motion.

Whether you need a sounding board, a blind-spot check or space to talk through your next bold move, this is your time. Bring the real question. Leave with actionable insight.

DM to secure one of 5 frank Hotline calls.

Join us for Cookies & Conversation with Chef Jo Notkin!
We’re rolling up our sleeves for a cozy cookie-baking workshop led by the incredible Chef Jo Notkin. She’ll share her go-to tips for perfect cookies while we mix, bake, snack, and chat.

Jo is a fellow frankie, owner of Maison Zoe Ford, and starred on The Food Network Canada’s Top Chef (contestant) and Wall of Bakers (judge).

Date: Thursday January 29 @7:30pm

This event includes a give-what-you-can contribution in support of The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation. Every amount makes a difference and helps brighten the lives of children and families in our community.

We hope you’ll join us for something sweet—both in the kitchen and in spirit!

As we look ahead into 2026, I wanted to share a simple exercise designed for real progress, not pressure.

This isn’t a traditional vision board focused on big end goals. Instead, it’s a Vision Board Bingo card built around small, intentional actions across five areas that matter deeply to women in leadership: capacity, money, joy, relationships, and career.

Each square is meant to capture something you can do (without waiting for permission) that moves you closer to the life and leadership you want to be practicing this year.

I recommend filling out a card for each quarter, so you can plot your path forward. As you fill it in, resist the urge to be impressive. Be honest.
If something feels too big, make it smaller. Momentum comes from completion.

By the end of this exercise, you won’t have a list of goals. You’ll have a set of actions your future self will thank you for.

👉 How to Use Your Vision Board Bingo Card:
1. Each square should contain one small, specific action.
2. Avoid end goals (e.g. “get a promotion” / “make more money”). Instead, focus on what you can do to get you there.
3. Choose actions that feel slightly stretchy but realistic.
4. When you complete a square, mark it and notice the momentum.
5. The center heart is to be filled in with an unexpected win.

I would love to know what’s on your board!

Something new is coming to frank… 👀
We’ve been working on something special — a new way for ambitious women to reconnect, grow & get more from the frank experience in 2026.

Fresh conversations. New skills. Smart women. Big energy.

More details are coming soon, so stay tuned — this is going to be fun!

MEET OUR FRANK MEMBERS // Ashley Milbury

Ashley Milbury is the Youth Programs Manager with Minerva BC, a non-profit committed to empowering women and girls with the essential knowledge and skills to unlock their full leadership potential. With nearly 20 years working in nonprofit, she is passionate about creating spaces where people can meaningfully connect and explore how to step into their fullest, most confident selves. Originally from Nova Scotia, Ashley’s work with Minerva is based in British Columbia, and she lives in the Plateau in Montreal with her husband and kitty, Kitty. Ashley loves connecting with nature, going to dance classes, and is getting into weightlifting.

WORDS TO LIVE BY //
“Do what you’re doing.” It’s a simple phrase, but I return to it often as a reminder to stay present and grounded. Our full presence is one of the most meaningful gifts we can offer—to people, to our work, and to ourselves. When life feels overwhelming, these words help me remember that I’m capable of handling a lot when I take things one step at a time.

FRANK EXPERIENCE // It’s such a joy connecting with the brilliant, supportive women of frank! This has been an immensely valuable space for learning, working through challenges, and charting a vision for the future. It’s a lot of fun, too!

INTERESTED IN THE FRANK COMMUNITY? //
DM for details about our upcoming women’s leadership cohort.

Join us on Tuesday, September 16th at 12:30-1:15 PM ET for frank Speed Brain-Dating, an exclusive frank community event where you will meet members from other cohorts in a rapid fire brain-date set up.

Grab your lunch and Zoom in to connect with some amazing like-minded, ambitious women!

Who says leadership development has to happen in a boardroom? At , we made a splash 🌊taking their leadership learning poolside!

This retreat gave their team the chance to reconnect, recharge, and sharpen their collaborative skills, exploring creative ways to communicate and synergize in a fun, engaging environment. The results? Connected, energized leaders ready to bring fresh ideas and stronger teamwork back to the office.

We love designing unique, immersive leadership experiences that go beyond conventional workshops.
💡 Interested in something different for your team? Let’s create a leadership experience that your people will remember.

MEET OUR FRANK MEMBERS //
Originally from the Dominican Republic, Ysimer Gonzalez began her career in Supply Chain and Operations before moving to Canada. She has spent the last 17 years leading teams and transforming complex systems. Ysimer is a TEDx speaker, mom of two daughters, and the founder of The Ez Way, a program she created through Altamira Consulting to help founders grow with clarity, structure, and sustainability. Her purpose is to help entrepreneurs and small businesses grow, without burning out the people behind the work.

WORDS TO LIVE BY //
“You don’t need more hours. You need more of you focused on what actually matters.” Ysimer lives by this principle by managing her energy, not just her time, so she can lead, build, and parent with intention.

FRANK EXPERIENCE //
“Being part of the frank community has been such a gift. Every session feels like a mix of real talk, growth, and genuine connection with women who truly get it. I’ve learned, shared, and stretched myself in ways I didn’t expect. And it’s already shaping how I show up as a leader and as myself.”

INTERESTED IN THE FRANK COMMUNITY? //
DM for details about our upcoming women’s leadership cohort.

Last week, frank had the joy of hosting the July edition of the Frank Million Dollar Network Dinner, an intimate event with 9 other incredible female leaders from different backgrounds and industries.

What started with introductions quickly turned into honest, unfiltered conversations about what it means to lead at work, at home and in our communities. We spoke about ambition, burnout, boundaries and how to hold space for each other in meaningful ways. The trust built around that table was instant and the connection ran deep.

There’s something powerful about breaking bread with other ambitious women. It reminds us that we’re not alone in our questions, our drive, or our desire for something more real.

If this kind of space speaks to you, send a message. We’re already planning the next one and would love to have you join us.

MEET OUR FRANK MEMBERS
Melissa Balinsky is a highly adaptable marketing leader with over 20 years in the medical field across the US and Canada, specializing in market research and strategy. Fueled by a passion for data-informed decision-making and a commitment to lifelong learning, she thrives on leveraging insights to drive innovative approaches and product evolution, often with a furry supervisor nearby!

Her words to live by: Know your stuff. Act with integrity. That’s how you earn the right to be bold and bring people with you.

Her frank experience: frank is a network of sharp women who cut through the noise. Being part of it has sharpened my focus, revealing stronger options. My biggest takeaway: collective experience clarifies the path forward.

Want to know if frank women’s leadership is right for you? DM to book a chat!

We rise higher when we rise together ✨
Thrilled to launch RISE, frank-talk.com’s newest women’s leadership cohort, with this powerhouse group of women who are ready to step into their next level of influence, clarity, and confidence.

RISE isn’t just a name. It’s a philosophy. We believe that when women share experience-based feedback, hold space for each other’s growth, and invest in honest, forward-focused community, real acceleration happens — professionally and personally.

✨ Exchange lived wisdom, not just advice
✨ Leverage reflection, challenge, and accountability to fuel clarity
✨ Empower bold moves, not just safe ones

This group is already showing up with fire, generosity, and ambition. The ripple effect of women rising together? It’s real, and it’s powerful.

To the women of RISE: let’s go. You were built for this.