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FEATURE
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Passion, leadership, and inspiring others:
The superpowers of Anandie Talfie Women of colour often face intersecting forms of discrimination based on both gender and race, and despite this, we are seeing more women of colour use their talents to make a difference in our current chaotic society. As a creative writer at the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, I am now conscious of the fact that uplifting community is the starting point in creating a defining narrative. History demonstrates that success stories that have yet to be written lie among overlooked people, and it is the beauty of our Woman Empowered Feature. This edition, I want to introduce a woman who is a tenacious go-getter, known for her relentless pursuit of success, and her willingness to tackle even the most daunting challenges. One of her pursuits is uplifting other women and breaking down barriers and challenging preconceived notions about what is achievable. Through mentorship, networking, and mutual support, she has navigated and overcame challenges in her field, paving the way for greater inclusivity. Now more than ever, seeing women of colour in positions of influence and leadership is crucial for breaking down stereotypes and challenging societal norms. Our Woman Empowered knows that by uplifting and supporting one another, women of colour can contribute to increased representation in various fields, inspiring the next generation and paving the way for greater diversity. She purposefully acknowledges other women’s achievements and supports their goals building: confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of agency that has led to the personal and collective growth of the women she works with. Anandie Talfie is invested in uplifting women who may not have the same opportunities as others. Historically, the wine industry has been criticized for its lack of representation of people of colour, both in terms of employment and ownership. Despite this fact, Anandie has diligently worked her way up the ranks and is the only woman of colour holding the Regional Retail Manager position at Andrew Peller Limited, one of the leading producers and marketers of quality wines in Canada. The company owns and operates vineyards and wineries in key wine-producing regions, including: the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario and the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. Committed to connecting with the community this remarkable woman takes every opportunity to let others know they can aspire a fulfilling career in whatever industry they choose. It is my honour to share the story of the one and only Anandie Talfie. She was born in Georgetown Guyana in 1979 to parents of Guyanese and St Lucian descent. Coming to Canada at a young age, she quickly encountered culture clash and had to learn how to navigate Canada, and still incorporate the teachings and customs of her parents’ background. Growing up she was the oldest of three siblings and started
working at the age of 15. Being the oldest child to immigrant parents is never an easy task; everyone in the household is getting used to a completely new way of living, and often newcomers arrive here and have to start their lives over. Anandie is no stranger to hardship and taking on challenges in her life. Watching first-hand the struggles her parents had to endure to cultivate a life for her was the beginning of her ambitions to do more and create opportunities not just for herself, but for others as well. Earlier on in her life Anandie showed leadership qualities worthy of promotion and advancement. With an adventurous spirit, she has always approached challenges as thrilling opportunities to learn and excel, never hesitating to push boundaries. Anandie worked full time through university to support herself, and this is where her passion for people began to flourish. Working for Pegabo (a luxury brand shoe company that was associated with their parent company The Aldo Group), she was promoted from Assistant Store Manager to store manager at the young age of 19. She studied at the University of Windsor with a major in Marketing, and a minor in Psychology. Anandie has always had a vested interest in people, and her career has reflected her love for people in all aspects. Boasting a successful and happy career with Andrew Peller, she started there 15 years ago as a Store Manager, but she knew she wanted more. With a willingness to challenge herself with new projects, and a desire to build new skills, she was handed new roles, and when opportunities arose, she volunteered to do more, constantly growing whenever possible. So, when she was offered the role of Regional Manager, she relished the chance to master new skills and pass on her knowledge to others. Overseeing dozens of store locations and communicating with staff and customers, she has found herself in a position that feeds her love of helping others and building more positive experiences for all who come into contact with her work. Success is not wasted on Anandie Talfie; she uses her accomplishments to build up others. She boasts a confident humility; she is sure of her talents and capabilities but is always willing to learn more. These traits allow her to meet others and aid them in cultivating their success stories. Anandie has championed programs of inclusion throughout Andrew Peller Limited with the desire to see more diversity among the positions held in the company. Although substantial advancements have been made in these programs, there is still work to do to build the equality that needs to be seen in the wine industry. Though this is a daunting task, Anandie takes it in stride, meeting all challenges with a beautiful attitude. She continues to work with the people and for the people to help them rise as high as possible.
Challenges arise wherever ambition is present, and this woman breathes purpose. Anandie’s indomitable spirit is a driving force behind her extraordinary ability to confront challenges headlong, demonstrating strength and determination. During her tremendous rise, she has faced the stigma of ageism; as a young woman overseeing employees who are much older than her, there are times when she has felt that her position is overlooked. However, she has overcome these roadblocks with a willingness to evolve and let those around her realize she is here to help everyone win. She has become a positive role model in her industry, setting an example for colleagues, and demonstrating the power of collaboration, support, and resilience in the face of adversity. To cultivate lasting success, passion is a necessary ingredient. Anandie has always held a love for people, a passion for helping others and an ambition that always pushes her further. All these elements combined create a unique individual, but she is also bathed in selflessness. Her position and influence are used as a platform to inspire others to improve themselves, and through networking and outreach, she creates relationships, allowing for open spaces to come together. She desires to help build people beyond their expectations and works tirelessly to do this at every level in her career. While many people want to amplify themselves, Anandie desires to improve herself and then use what she knows to uplift others. That trait is in itself a superpower, one that few people possess, but seen amongst those who go on to change the world. As a bold trailblazer, Anandie fearlessly embraces challenges, paving the way for innovative solutions and breakthroughs. Anandie; your dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence have not gone unnoticed. Your innovative approach, attention to detail, and tireless work ethic have truly set a benchmark for excellence. It’s evident that your passion for what you do is contagious, inspiring those around you to strive for greatness as well. Thank you for your exceptional contributions and for consistently going above and beyond. Your dedication is truly inspiring, and we as a community look forward to witnessing your continued success in all your future endeavors.
Photo Credit: Derrel Ho-Shing
Written by Adrian Reece Toronto Caribbean News
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