Kyra Oakey: Finding Wellness Through Community

Sometimes, the most meaningful opportunities begin with a simple decision to get involved. While studying at university, Kyra Oakey was looking for an opportunity to build connections beyond campus and contribute to a community of women supporting one another. She found that opportunity through the Women in Leadership Foundation’s (WIL) Emerging Leaders Placement Project (ELPP), where she came across a LinkedIn posting for the WIL Wellness Program.

Since joining WIL Wellness in January 2026, Kyra has helped pilot monthly online Wellness Sessions and WIL Wellness Walks. Through this experience, she has discovered how small, sustainable habits, meaningful connections, and showing up for yourself can make a difference in both personal wellbeing and leadership.

We spoke with Kyra about her volunteer journey, what wellness means to her, and the lessons she hopes to share with other youth.

1. How did you get involved with Women in Leadership, and what is your role with WIL Wellness?

I joined the Emerging Leaders Placement Project in December 2025 after finding a LinkedIn posting for the WIL Wellness Program. I was looking for something to volunteer with that would continue beyond graduation. I wanted to build a community I could stay connected with after university, and I thought this would be an amazing opportunity.

I applied for the Program Coordinator position and interviewed with Heather and Jaelynn, who had previously been part of ELPP. They explained the Women in Leadership Foundation and Heather’s vision for the WIL Wellness pilot program. It was an amazing interview, and I was excited to get involved in rolling out the new program.

I started in January, working with Heather and Richelle. It's a small team, and it has been the best experience. We've been piloting an online Wellness Session each month with different speakers, along with a WIL Wellness Walk on the last Sunday of every month. The walks are low-pressure opportunities to get outdoors, meet people, and spend time together. It has been such an amazing experience so far.

2. What is one moment or accomplishment from your volunteer experience that makes you especially proud?

One moment that stands out is our second Wellness Session in February. Heather, Richelle, and I introduced ourselves during the live session, and I helped monitor the chat and respond when participants had questions.

It was a daunting experience at first because I didn't know many of the people attending. But after I introduced myself, several participants reached out to me on LinkedIn, and I made some really great connections.

It's been so special to see those same participants come to our wellness walks and join other sessions throughout the year.

3. What is one skill or lesson you've gained through this program?

One of the biggest lessons I've learned, which has been different from my academic and internship experiences, is the importance of showing up even when you're not ready.

There were a couple of months during the winter when I was feeling under the weather or unmotivated. Every time I showed up for a WIL Wellness Walk, though, I left feeling so much better, more motivated, and ready to take on the week.

Being around other women, hearing about their lives, and meeting new people helped me feel more energized. The walks are calming, and it's nice to connect with people while getting outdoors. Every single time, I looked back and I was so grateful that I showed up.

4. Volunteering can come with challenges, too. What's one challenge you've faced, and what helped you work through it?

At the beginning of the project, I was also completing an internship. I had to learn how to prioritize my time, balance my responsibilities, and be present for scheduled calls and check-ins.

That can be challenging when you're working, volunteering, and managing other commitments. A work call might come in, or a meeting might run late, making it difficult to balance everything at once.

What I learned is to communicate and give notice when something comes up. The women at WIL have been very accommodating, and being open about my availability has made a big difference.

5. How has your idea of what makes a great leader changed through this experience?

Before joining the program, I thought a great leader needed to be extremely confident and outspoken. Through volunteering and listening to the speakers in our Wellness Sessions, I've learned that leadership can look very different from one person to another.

Being confident in yourself doesn't necessarily mean being the loudest person in the room. It also means knowing yourself: understanding your schedule, recognizing when you function best, knowing when you have too much on your plate, and being able to delegate or ask for help when needed.

I've also learned how important it is to take care of yourself before reaching burnout. Whether that means taking 10 minutes to meditate, going for a walk, or scheduling a workout when you have the most energy, understanding what works for you can help you show up more effectively for yourself and others.

6. Has working on WIL Wellness changed any of your own habits, priorities, or ideas about wellbeing?

One of the most useful things I've taken away came from an early Wellness Session Heather facilitated on nutrition. She shared a simple approach to meal prepping: prepare your proteins and vegetables, then mix and match them throughout the week.

I've continued using this method because it takes away the stress of figuring out what to make for a healthy meal every day. It's also especially helpful because I live alone and sometimes end up preparing more food than I need. Prepping proteins and freezing portions makes it easier to plan ahead.

I wrote the method down during that first session, and it's genuinely changed how I approach food and nourishing myself. It reminded me that wellness doesn't have to involve a complicated routine.

7. WIL Wellness explores 12 wellness pillars throughout the year. Which pillar resonates with you most right now, and why?

Financial wellness has really resonated with me since graduating from university. I'm thinking a lot about my future, living on my own, and working full-time, so budgeting and saving have become more important.

I've been figuring out how to manage my finances in a way that supports my wellbeing rather than adding stress. Looking at everything logically, planning ahead, and figuring out how to save have helped me feel calmer and more excited about the future.

Feeling prepared and having a plan can make a difference in how we approach what's ahead.

8. How have you learned to recognize when your wellbeing needs more attention?

Something I've started doing this year is writing down what's on my mind. I've realized that a lot of my anxiety comes from overthinking and procrastination. When I have too many tasks to think about, they can start to feel overwhelming, even before I've begun working on them.

I now try to write down everything I need to do and what's on my mind each week. I also keep a small notepad by my bed so I can jot things down if they come to mind while I'm trying to fall asleep. Even though I'm not taking on the action right away, having everything written down has really helped.

Writing things down helps me visualize what I actually need to do that day and what can wait. I can ask myself whether something is truly a priority or whether I'm feeling anxious about it. Sometimes, a task only takes five minutes, and getting it done brings a real sense of relief.

It's helped me organize my thoughts instead of carrying everything around in my head.

9. What does a realistic and sustainable approach to wellness look like for women navigating busy lives?

I think it's important to get back to the basics. Wellness can feel overwhelming, especially on social media, where so many influencers, supplements, and routines suggest everything we need to do to be healthy and have a clear mind.

For me, getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night is one of the most important things I can do to feel my best. I also try to get outside for a walk, whether that's 10 minutes or 40 minutes. It doesn't have to happen a set number of times each week to be worthwhile.

I've also learned to pay attention to when I have the most energy. I'm more energized in the evening, so that's when I try to schedule workouts a couple of times a week. Trying to follow a routine that doesn't suit your energy levels can make it difficult to maintain and may lead to burnout. Know how your body works and what you need, and start at the very basics.

I've also learned how important community is to wellness. So many women are going through similar things at different stages of their lives. Sometimes you might feel alone, but there is a strong community within WIL and the WIL Wellness program.

We're working to build those connections across Victoria, Vancouver, and WIL chapters, bringing together people who are there to listen, talk, and share experiences. Connecting with women who have been where you are can help you feel supported.

10. What would you say to another young person who wants to volunteer but isn't sure where or how to begin?

I started volunteering in my second year of university, and I remember feeling nervous and scared to take that first step. But once I did, I found that volunteering gave me a sense of purpose outside of academics and introduced me to a community I wanted to remain part of.

WIL is an amazing place to start because there's a place for people with different interests, experiences, and goals. There are people who can help you build your résumé, find an area where you can thrive, explore your interests, and connect with others who work in fields you're curious about.

I also love that the foundation brings together people from different backgrounds and walks of life. You never know who you'll meet or what opportunities those connections might lead to.

I'd encourage anyone who's interested in volunteering to give it a try. You don't need to have everything figured out before you begin. Taking that first step can lead to a sense of purpose, new relationships, and opportunities you might not have expected.

Kyra's Takeaway: Wellness is Stronger Together

For Kyra, the biggest lesson has been that you don't need to feel ready to begin, and you don't need to do it alone. Whether it's attending a wellness session, joining a walk, or introducing yourself to someone new, small steps can lead to meaningful relationships and lasting support.

Kyra hopes to see WIL Wellness continue growing across Victoria, Vancouver, and WIL chapters across Canada, creating more opportunities for women to connect and support one another. Her experience is a reminder that wellness doesn't have to be a journey we take alone. By sharing experiences, building relationships, and making space for one another, we can create communities where women feel encouraged to care for themselves and continue growing as leaders.