From the time she was in grade two, filling pages with short stories and poems, Margarita Tcharnolousskaia knew she was a writer at heart. For her, storytelling has never just been about words on a page. It is about channeling something deeper, the connection between body, mind, spirit and soul and shaping it into stories that spark joy, awaken discovery, and invite others into reflection.
A Journey Fueled by Creativity and Courage
Her career path has never followed a straight line. While in highschool, she created Art Teens, a mock magazine dedicated to exploring Toronto’s art scene. She interviewed artists like Maxine Noel, a First Nations artist, and Kym McKay, apparel designer, who encouraged her to “keep going” even when the creative path felt uncertain. At seventeen, she enrolled at Toronto Metropolitan University, known at the time as Ryerson, for journalism, where she poured herself into documentary filmmaking and investigative reporting. An internship at CBC opened the door to uncovering truths and giving voice to important issues, though the emotional weight of that work led her to a career pivot. Along the way, she added graphic design, brand storytelling, and UX writing to her toolkit. What never changed was her devotion to research, compassion, and the belief that stories can build community and create impact.
Spotlighting Jodi’s Leadership in Action
Margarita first learned about Jodi Kovitz, HRPA’s CEO, years ago when she was exploring the future of work and seeking out emerging leaders. When she later saw Jodi step into the role of CEO at the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA), it felt like a powerful continuation of that story and Margarita collaborated again to share it.
Margarita went on to write A Conversation with Jodi Kovitz on Leadership and Making an Impact, which highlights prioritizing clarity, seeing the whole picture, balancing bold ambition with compassion, and still making time for philanthropy and community.
Learning and Leading Through Storytelling
Leadership stories continue to inspire Margarita because she sees herself both as a student of leadership and as a leader continually growing into her own style. Through her writing, she shines a light on those who inspire her and takes lessons from every conversation she has. What captivates her most is the ripple effect of great leadership and how one person can transform the energy of an entire team simply by noticing and nurturing the strengths of others. To her, the best leaders are those who trust themselves, lead with transparency, own their mistakes, and delegate with intention so their team can flourish. “If I have strength, I can see strength in others. If I trust myself, I can trust others,” she reflects.
What’s Next: Expanding Her Impact
Through her newsletter CareerFreak and her books, including Connected for the Healing Hearts: A Poetry Collection, Margarita continues to share stories that uplift voices of change, especially women and youth. Her upcoming memoir-guide will weave science, holistic healing, and story to invite readers to rediscover their path, embrace transformation, and lead with authenticity.
Today, Margarita also runs Artic Aligned, an intuitive coaching practice that supports women navigating transitions in career and life. Artic stands for Authentic, Resilient, Transformative, Intuitive Coaching, values at the heart of her work. Drawing on her own journey and training as she works toward her Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation, she helps women reconnect with their strengths, align with their purpose, and approach change with resilience.
The Power of Story as Leadership
Margarita shows us that leadership is not only about bold decisions at the top. It is about courage grounded in values, empathy that fuels connection, and storytelling that helps people see what is possible for themselves and for their communities. Her voice reminds us that when leaders share stories with authenticity and heart, they don’t just inform. They inspire change.