Today’s guest is a lifelong adventurer whose passion for exploration and connecting with people across cultures has taken her around the globe. 

After achieving top honors like the Girl Guides' Gold Cord and competing nationally in synchronized swimming, she earned a nursing degree and embarked on a trailblazing career. She held executive roles at healthcare organizations across Canada and abroad, becoming one of the country's first female hospital CEOs. But the call of the world remained. 

Her journey began in her youth when a set of books called Lands and People sparked her imagination about visiting distant nations. In her late 50s, she resigned from her job, put her treasures in storage, and pursued her travel dreams full-time. Her solo exploits spanned 23 years, 187 countries and territories, and all seven continents. 

Her adventures included tracking gorillas in Uganda, deep sea diving, and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. She worked for the World Health Organization and the United Nations and co-founded the Panama Hospice and Respite Foundation.

Now 87, she has captured her remarkable life story in her book "Ants in My Pants: One Woman’s Unexpected Adventures Across Seven Continents." Her adventures were fueled by an insatiable curiosity about humanity—the beauty, diversity, and personal connections that come from opening ourselves to other cultures.

She’s an author and inspiring world citizen whose global experiences touched countless lives.

Please join me in welcoming Joyce Perrin. 

Joyce Perrin shares her extraordinary journey from a pioneering female hospital CEO to a globe-trotting adventurer, highlighting her passion for leadership and cultural empathy.

In this episode, we discuss:

🌍 Leadership in Healthcare: Joyce pursued a leadership role at a hospital, enrolling in courses despite juggling a busy family life. She became the first female CEO of a hospital in Canada in 1959 and went back to school for a master's in health administration in her late thirties.

🌍 Global Adventures: In her late fifties, Joyce challenged herself with travel, working in Saudi Arabia and cruising around South America. She's explored 187 countries and territories, engaging deeply with local communities and showing empathy and respect.

🌍 Giving Back: Joyce's travels were not just for personal fulfillment. In Zimbabwe, she bought and donated supplies to a family she stayed with. She co-founded the Panama Hospice and Respite Foundation and worked with the World Health Organization and the United Nations.

🌍 Storytelling & Leadership: Joyce's memoir captures her vivid experiences, from tracking gorillas in Uganda to escaping danger in Yemen. She believes in leadership as nurturing growth and harmonizing diverse teams, demonstrated through her lifelong blend of adventure and empathy.

Listen in to discover why Joyce Perrin's remarkable journey is a masterclass in balancing leadership, adventure, and cultural respect!

Links

• Joyce Perrin on LinkedIn.


• www.joyceperrin.com

Books mentioned in this episode:

• 
  “Ants in My Pants: One Woman’s Unexpected Adventures Across Seven Continents” by Joyce Perrin

On the Schmooze is a podcast that features interviews with talented professionals who have overcome challenges to achieve success. I ask probing questions, and guests share untold stories about their leadership journey and how they built and sustained their professional network.

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