Sophia Wealth Academy 2026 –
Communicate with Courage, Clarity and Confidence
About the Event
Sophia Wealth Academy is a one day event that educates, empowers and emboldens participants to take the next step on their financial journey.
Mastering communication is one of the most valuable investments you can make in yourself. It shapes your relationships, your work, your confidence and the way you move through the world. When you communicate well, everything else becomes easier.
We are hard wired to avoid difficult situations. It is common to be afraid of conflict. But if we avoid crucial, difficult situations — with our spouse, children, colleagues, employers — we will limit our growth personally, relationally and financially.
Hosted by Tracy Theemes, Sophia Financial Group and led by mediators and conflict resolution experts Donna Soules and Dr Saghar Shahidi-Birjandian, this workshop offers practical tools to help you communicate with clarity, purpose, and ease. You will learn to embrace conflict and have those difficult conversations necessary on your path to success.
Just like a strong financial plan, strong communication skills create long term stability, healthier relationships, and a more fulfilling life.
DATE: May 23, 2026
TIME: 8:30am – 5:00pm
LOCATION: 5185 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC
COST: $199 (General Admission)
We are pleased to offer a Pay What You Can option if $199 is out of reach!
What to Expect
This workshop is designed to help you:
- Communicate with clarity and assertiveness
- Understand conflict and learn to resolve differences
- Strengthen relationships with colleagues, clients, family, and friend
- Listen in a way that builds trust and connection
- Express ideas with confidence and authenticity
- Navigate challenging conversations with calm and positivity
These are practical skills you can use immediately—and they continue to grow in value over time.
What You’ll Experience
This highly interactive event brings a warm, engaging, and deeply human approach to communication. Our communications facilitators will focus on connection, understanding, and the power of being fully present with others.
- Interactive exercises
- Real life examples
- Simple frameworks you can apply right away
- A supportive, encouraging environment
You’ll leave with tools that make communication feel more confident, more effective, and more aligned with who you are.
Who Should Attend
If you interact with people, this workshop will benefit you.
Event Program
Sophia Wealth Academy will provide you with the knowledge, wisdom and support you need to reach your financial goals.
Meet the Speakers
Our speakers bring a unique set of skills and wisdom to our SWA community. From meditation, to executing a full body tackle, embodying vulnerability or investment acumen, you will be in for a day of experiences and profound transformation guided by gifted leaders and teachers.
Donna Soules
Donna Soules is one of Canada’s most respected mediators, with more than three decades of experience in conflict resolution across diverse populations. She has served on the Attorney General’s Mediation Roster, was a senior trainer with the Justice Institute of BC, and a long-time instructor in the Criminology Department at Vancouver Island University.
Donna holds a Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution from Antioch University and completed Conflict Resolution certification at the Justice Institute of BC. She brings together rigorous mediation training and extensive counselling experience in her work with individuals, organizations, and communities.
Donna is the author of Understanding Conflict: Bridging Theory and Practice and is the proud recipient of the 2024 Susanna Jani Award for Excellence in Mediation in British Columbia.
Dr. Saghar Shahidi-Birjandian
Dr. Saghar Shahidi-Birjandian holds a PhD in Politics and International Studies from the University of London and a MSc in Global Affairs (International Law and Human Rights) from New York University.
As the founding partner of Mediated Solutions Inc, she provides culturally informed mediation and conflict-resolution services in complex and high-stakes contexts. Her practice spans intercultural and identity-based disputes, workplace and civil matters, intergroup conflict, and mediated policy and strategy development with organizations.
As a scholar-practitioner, she has contributed to research and documentation initiatives related to Iran, Canada, and Uganda. Her work appears in Genocide Studies and Prevention and Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, and she is co‑editor of Intergenerational Survivors of Genocide and Mass Atrocities.
Tracy Theemes
Tracy Theemes is a financial advisor and co-founder of Sophia Financial Group, an investment advisory firm that works with high net worth clients while devoting a day each week to pro bono clients who do not have access to needed financial advice and support.
For 15 years, she has spearheaded, “Sophia Wealth Academy” a one day education event and fundraiser for Dress For Success. She is the co-host of “Wise Money Moves,” an often humorous and always engaging podcast about managing money, relationships and power.
Tracy holds an M.A. in Counselling Psychology and did her Doctoral work in child psychology at UBC. She is a Certified Financial Planner, insurance licensed and a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute. She received the UBC Education Alumni 100 award for her community leadership in promoting financial literacy and has been nominated for the YWCA Woman of Distinction award in Business and the Professions and the BIV Influential Women in Business award.
Tracy was awarded the International Alliance of Women Global 100 Award for her work in empowering women through education. Her book “The Financially Empowered Woman” won the Bronze prize for the Living Now awards for finance and economics and the Axiom Gold medal in the category of personal finance.
Grow your money.
Increase your confidence. Use your power.
About Dress for Success
The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools necessary to help them thrive in work and in life.
We believe community starts with sharing. All proceeds from Sophia Wealth Academy will be donated to Dress for Success, a registered charity that matches women with a wardrobe stylist, professional mentors and career advisors.
2025 Wealth Academy Gallery
Thank you to Belle Ancell Photography for capturing this empowering event and all the inspiring people who came together to support one another!
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors
We are so grateful to our key event sponsors. Their generous support made this day of empowerment possible.
Thank You to Our 2025 In-Kind Sponsor
Your generous contribution provides the services and support that make this event truly special.
Thank you to our 2025 door prize donors
Your generosity brings even more value to our event!
