Sonia Beeksma
Sonia Beeksma is a traffic anchor and segment reporter for CTV Morning Live in Vancouver.
The award-winning broadcaster joined CTV Vancouver in 2016, but her career started in 2009 after completing the Broadcasting and Performing Arts program at Columbia Academy and the journalism program at BCIT.
It was her internship at eTalk Toronto that not only fuelled her interest in the entertainment world but introduced her to the hard work it takes to be in media.
She soon returned to Vancouver and worked as a news reporter and anchor for both TALK-1200 (RJ AM) and news station CKNW 980.
Her radio days were numbered as she was snatched by Global Television to become the weekend weather specialist and feature story reporter. Her performance was not only noticed by her colleagues and competitors but also by the BC Association of Broadcasters whom would soon award Sonia with Broadcaster of Tomorrow award.
She then joined CTV Morning Live as a traffic specialist and entertainment/fashion reporter. Sonia is described as an incredibly versatile broadcaster having hosted entertainment stories, fashion, community and feature stories.
She is very active in the community and emcees a variety of charitable events.
When she’s not in front of the green screen, Sonia’s world is her 8-year-old daughter. And when she does have some spare time, she likes to weight train and get outside for fresh air.
3 words to describe Nature?
Liberating. Calming. Intriguing
3 things Nature taught you?
Constant confirmation that there is a God (Creator)
Us humans are such a small part of the equation on this earth
To slow down and be present
3 most treasured Nature spots?
Crescent beach (local)
Sunshine Coast hikes (around BC)
Road to Hana in Maui
When you look at the ocean, it makes you feel...?
Overwhelmed with peace
When you see a forest, it makes you feel...?
Comforted and a little indecisive if I want to dive in and see what wildlife awaits.
When you see a volcano, it makes you feel...?
Powerless
When you see a sunrise or sunset, it makes you feel...?
Invigorated, sunset means I get a good night’s sleep, sunrise means I have the entire day ahead of me to accomplish so much!
When you hear thunder, it makes you feel...?
Utter fear, that is some force that would make the hair on my back (if I had any) stand up.. lol
When you hear the wind howling, it makes you feel...?
Very refreshed, makes me feel like the air is cleaning itself out. In my field when there’s an air quality advisory in effect, you need that wind to come and blow out the bad air. So when that happens, we all take a deep breath in and say, fresh air!
Are you an Ocean, Mountain, Forest, or Desert person?
Definitely an Ocean and Mountain person. By the ocean in the summer and on the mountain in winter.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is Nature to your well-being?
10. Nature teaches us so much, it helps us slow down, it not only cleans our lungs but I think it’s healing to our soul and spirit.
Share with us a childhood nature memory?
I grew up in New Delhi where it rarely rained, so when it did 3 or 4 times a year, all the kids would come out and play cricket in the rain. Memories I will cherish forever.
Tina Wells
Tina Wells is the CEO and founder of Buzz Marketing Group, a marketing agency that creates strategies for clients within the beauty, entertainment, fashion, financial, and lifestyle sectors. For more than two decades, Tina has connected thousands of influencers and consumers to brand clients. Since founding her company, she’s developed and managed 30,000 “buzzSpotters” and 7,000 “momSpotters” –influencer and research networks for her clients that include Dell, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and American Eagle Outfitters.
Tina sits on the board of the Young Entrepreneurs Council, the United Nations Foundation’s Global Entrepreneurs Council (emeritus), and the Council of Emeritus Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. She currently chairs the Programs, Marketing, and Business Development committee of The Franklin Institute where she also serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
She is a member of the 2017 Class of Henry Crown Fellows within the Aspen Global Leadership Network at the Aspen Institute and the Academic Director (Practicum) of Wharton’s Leadership in the Business World program at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2018, Wells also joined the board of THINX. Her list of honors includes The Girl Scouts’ Woman of Distinction, Cosmopolitan’s Fun Fearless Phenom Award, Essence’s 40 Under 40, Billboard’s 30 Under 30, Inc’s 30 Under 30, and Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business.
Wells is the author of the best-selling tween fiction series Mackenzie Blue and the marketing handbook Chasing Youth Culture And Getting It Right. Wells’ writing has appeared in the Huffington Post,he Journal of the American College of Radiology, Inc, Black Enterprise, Media Post, and Retail Merchandiser Magazine.
3 words to describe Nature?
Peaceful. Vibrant. Majestic.
3 things Nature taught you?
That there is something much bigger than me and any problem I think I might have. Also, there’s a rhythm to the world and things continue to move in their cycles and serve their purpose.
3 most treasured Nature spots?
Lancaster, PA - where I’m from. Gorgeous pastures, rolling hills, absolutely stunning.
Maasai Mara, Kenya - my first safari and trip to Africa, the most beautiful place I’ve ever been
Tuscany, Italy - my brother has lived here for almost 10 years with his wife. I visit often and fall in love all over again each time.
When you look at the ocean, it makes you feel...?
Calm. Just hearing the ocean calms me.
When you see a forest, it makes you feel...?
Safe and secure. I also feel in awe at the enormity of it all.
When you see a volcano, it makes you feel...?
Awestruck...but a little helpless and scared too.
When you see a sunrise or sunset, it makes you feel...?
Happy. A sunrise or sunset is an instant mood booster for me.
When you hear thunder, it makes you feel...?
Curious.
When you hear the wind howling, it makes you feel...?
Scared by the power of it.
Are you an Ocean, Mountain, Forest, or Desert person?
Mountain, for sure!
On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is Nature to your well-being?
9. When I purchased my home 11 years ago I planted some trees that are now enormous. Just seeing them every single day, in every season makes me feel so happy.
Share with us a childhood nature memory?
I’m the eldest of six children, and growing up my dad would take all of the kids in the neighborhood on nature hikes and trips to the park. I grew up in the part of southern New Jersey that is known for its farms. I still live there and see deer almost every night. Those park trips with all of my siblings and our friends were the best.