Written by Marissa Cherepanov, CEO/ Visionary
Marissa is widely recognized for her contributions to female leadership and women's empowerment. She is the CEO visionary of No Girl Left Behind, a leading organization fostering female empowerment. She is also a sought-after motivational speaker, career coach, and active advisor at Linfield University's Women in Leadership Program.
Life has a way of testing us when we least expect it, forcing us to confront our deepest fears and emerge stronger on the other side. For Ally Stone, an accomplished entrepreneur and leadership mentor, her most profound lessons didn’t come from years of success in the hospitality industry but from an unimaginable crisis that redefined her sense of purpose and transformed her approach to leadership.
For over two decades, Ally and her husband, Chris, built a thriving business together, franchising Original Joe’s restaurants across Western Canada. Their partnership was a seamless blend of shared vision and relentless drive, a testament to their unity and ambition. But in 2018, their carefully crafted life was shaken to its core by a health crisis that would alter the course of Ally’s journey forever.
The couple traveled to Tokyo for Chris to compete in another marathon—a sport he had pursued passionately for years, completing six Boston Marathons among other high-profile races. But as race day approached, Ally noticed subtle, unsettling changes in Chris’s behavior. Forgetfulness, distraction, and uncharacteristic mistakes left her uneasy, though she dismissed them as pre-race nerves.
Chris ran his best race that day, finishing in an astonishing 2 hours and 32 minutes. But later that night, Ally woke to a nightmare: Chris lay beside her, unresponsive, pale, and drenched in sweat. “I was paralyzed with fear,” Ally recalls. “I screamed his name, shook him, and begged him to wake up. It was the most terrifying moment of my life.”
Though Chris eventually regained consciousness, relief quickly gave way to uncertainty. Despite countless tests in Japan and later in Canada, doctors could offer no definitive answers, only theories of a viral infection that had attacked his brain, causing cognitive disruptions and memory loss. For Ally, the uncertainty was agonizing, but the journey ahead proved even more challenging.
As Chris’s condition worsened, Ally stepped into the role of caregiver, putting their thriving business on hold to support him through endless doctor appointments, recovery protocols, and emotional upheaval. “I was completely drained—physically, mentally, and emotionally,” she says. “I was grieving the life we had built while trying to be strong for him. I felt like I was failing at everything—at caregiving, at work, and at holding myself together.”
Months later, attempting to return to work, Ally hit rock bottom. Sitting in her car outside her office, she found herself paralyzed by exhaustion and overwhelm. A trusted colleague came to her aid, offering simple but profound words: “That’s OK.”
At that moment, Ally realized she didn’t need to be unbreakable. Resilience, she learned, isn’t about pushing through at all costs—it’s about giving yourself permission to pause, heal, and rebuild with intention.
This revelation became the foundation of her transformative work through The Inspired Leader. Founded during a time of deep reflection and growth, The Inspired Leader is a leadership initiative dedicated to redefining success and fostering authentic, holistic leadership.
Ally’s vision for The Inspired Leader grew rapidly as she shared her journey with others. What began as a small initiative quickly blossomed into a movement, inspiring leaders across industries to embrace self-awareness, compassion, and well-being alongside professional achievement.
In addition to her work with The Inspired Leader, Ally is a key member of the empowerment team for the No Girl Left Behind organization, a global movement dedicated to female empowerment. Traveling the world to host workshops and events, Ally helps women build confidence, develop leadership skills, and embrace their potential to lead meaningful, impactful lives.
“Our culture often glorifies the grind, but real leadership comes from a place of wholeness and balance,” Ally explains. “If we want to create spaces where people can thrive, we need to lead by example—showing that it’s not just OK but essential to prioritize self-care and emotional well-being.”
Through workshops, coaching programs, and speaking engagements, The Inspired Leader has become a beacon of change, challenging outdated leadership norms and fostering environments where people feel valued and empowered to bring their whole selves to the table.
Ally’s work resonates with leaders around the world because it speaks to a universal truth: life is unpredictable, and the road to success is rarely a straight line. Her message is one of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of vulnerability.
“Waking up to Chris unresponsive in Tokyo was the most terrifying moment of my life,” Ally reflects. “But it taught me something invaluable. Life is fragile, but in that fragility lies the power to grow, to connect, and to lead with authenticity and empathy.”
Today, The Inspired Leader continues to expand, touching lives and reshaping the way we think about leadership. For Ally, the journey has been both humbling and empowering. “True leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating space for growth, for yourself and for others. It’s about leading with heart, with courage, and with a commitment to living fully.”
Ally Stone’s story is a powerful reminder that in the face of adversity, we can find purpose, transform pain into strength, and inspire a ripple effect of resilience and compassion in the world. Through The Inspired Leader and her work with No Girl Left Behind, she is proving that authentic leadership has the power to change not just businesses but lives—and that’s a legacy worth building.
Read more from Marissa Cherepanov
Marissa Cherepanov, CEO/ Visionary
Marissa is a dedicated leader committed to empowering women. She shares her life story and unique insights on personal growth, dedicating her life to inspiring others and driving the female empowerment movement. Marissa serves on the Board of Advisors for Linfield University's Women in Leadership program and is the CEO of No Girl Left Behind.
