Cities Spotlight Lime ERG •

Breaking Barriers: The Women Driving Lime Canada Forward

In an industry traditionally dominated by men, Lime Canada stands out with a powerful distinction: an all-female leadership team driving strategy, operations and partnerships nationwide. This Women's History Month, we're shining a spotlight on the remarkable women who are transforming urban mobility across Canada.

Since launching in 2018, Lime Canada has powered over 7 million rides in cities across the country. Behind this success is a diverse team of talented Canadians—from software engineers to mechanics—rooted in communities nationwide. At the helm are women leaders whose vision and tenacity are changing the landscape of micromobility one ride at a time.

Leading the Way: Meet Lime Canada's Leadership

Vladana Zlatic, General Manager of Lime Canada

Vladana's journey with Lime began with a personal experience that changed her perspective on urban mobility. "I vividly remember the first time I tried Lime during a trip to Calgary back in 2019," she recalls. "It completely changed the way I got around the city, and I ended up being able to see and do so much more—not to mention I had way more fun getting around!"

Now as General Manager, Vladana collaborates with city officials, community members and businesses to develop country-wide strategies, bringing a hyperlocal feel to Lime's Canadian operations. What keeps her motivated? "We operate in a space that intersects so many important and fascinating fields: transportation, sustainability, accessibility, urban planning, equity, data, the list goes on! I truly feel like I get to use every part of my existing skillset while constantly learning new things."

But Vladana is candid about the professional challenges she's faced. "I think many people, particularly women, occasionally suffer from Impostor Syndrome and I am certainly not immune!" she shares. "For me, focusing on the work and things I can control and influence has helped, along with finding and cultivating a support network—both personally and professionally to help lift you up when things are hard!"

For Vladana, one unforgettable memory stands out: "A few nights before our launch in Vancouver, a group of us encountered a family hopelessly trying to get a couch up to their second-story balcony. Even though we all had a million things to do before our launch, we immediately jumped in to help them... It took every ounce of our strength (and creativity!) but we managed to get the couch upstairs. We came away with a good story, a blurry photo and a newfound appreciation for the unique skillsets on our team!"

Sonia Kandola, Director of Government Relations

Based in BC, Sonia shapes the micromobility landscape in Canada through her expertise in policy advocacy and by building deep relationships with government and community partners across the country.

"I love working at the intersection of transportation, policy and technology," Sonia explains. "It's a dynamic space that is both interesting and full of continuous challenges. I enjoy helping our city partners reduce congestion and make our cities greener as well as getting our customers to the people and places that matter most to them."

When asked about her favourite part of working at Lime Canada, Sonia's answer is immediate: "Limers! I absolutely love our team. It's made up of dynamic, interesting and hard-working individuals. I'm constantly impressed by the wealth of experience that Limers bring to their roles, as well as the amazing things they accomplish outside of work."

Like many women in male-dominated fields, Sonia has faced her share of challenges. "When I was younger, I frequently battled imposter syndrome, especially in situations where I felt out of place. However, over time, I've learned to embrace those opportunities and recognize that I deserve them too. Now, I'm committed to seeking out similar opportunities for other women as they advance in their careers."

One of Sonia's proudest achievements has been collaborating with her team and the Squamish Nation to create the world's first operating agreement between a micromobility operator and a First Nation. "Both teams demonstrated immense dedication, perseverance and commitment throughout the process. It's definitely a career highlight for me!"

Sonia is also proud of Lime Canada's deep local roots. "We are powered by hundreds of talented Canadians—from software engineers to mechanics. Our team, rooted in communities across the country, is what truly makes the wheels of Lime run smoothly.”

Building the Future: Lime's Operations Champions

Kelly Sung, Operations Coordinator for Metro Vancouver

Kelly brings a global perspective to her role as Operations Coordinator. Growing up in Taiwan, she witnessed firsthand the effects of climate change. "I wanted to be part of the solution, not the problem," she explains. "Lime's mission aligns with that vision."

When Kelly first joined Lime's predominantly male operations team, she noticed small but important details being overlooked. Rather than letting it slide, she addressed issues head-on and partnered with the recruiter to ensure the team was actively bringing in qualified female candidates. "Since then, we've successfully hired four talented women across different roles, making our team more diverse and balanced."

For Kelly, launching the Vancouver market was an unforgettable experience: "Our entire team flew in from across Canada to make it happen, and the energy was electric. We spent days riding scooters up and down the city, making sure everything was in place for the big launch. Seeing all the managers working side by side, fully committed to the mission, was a proud and surreal experience."

Like Sonia, Kelly emphasizes that the people are what make Lime special: "My favourite part of working at Lime is the people I work with—hands down. My managers inspire me every day with their intelligence, work ethic and dedication. It's a team where we truly show up for one another, tackling challenges together and celebrating wins as one. The support and camaraderie make all the difference."

Clare Laverty, Community Engagement Manager, Vancouver

Clare's journey with Lime began as a rider herself. "When I moved to Vancouver, I had already used Lime extensively on holidays and trips with my partner. In fact, when we were discussing relocating to Canada, my partner made it clear that he would only move once Lime was in Vancouver!"

What keeps Clare at Lime is the electric energy and the people. "As a company, it's always striving to understand how Lime can be better for its customers and cities, and you can feel this within every employee. If you come to the table with an idea, it's met with open-mindedness and enthusiasm."

"I'm fairly new to the micromobility space, but throughout my life and career, I've definitely had my fair share of sexist jokes and snarky comments in the office," Clare recounts. "It's something that's always been there, but I was raised to know that my voice deserves to be heard and that I have a place at the table," she shares. She recalls a childhood memory that shaped her determination: "At the age of seven, being part of the pupil council and passionately petitioning for girls to be allowed to wear shorts to school so I could play football at break time. After months of pushing for it, the policy changed—and that lesson stuck with me."

For Clare, being part of the Vancouver launch during her first couple of weeks at Lime was a defining moment: "Meeting new faces and hearing about all the hard work that went into making that launch happen was incredible. It’s a moment that will always stay with me."

Making History in Canadian Micromobility

In 2024, Sonia, Vladana, Clare and Kelly spearheaded a massive, first-of-its-kind scooter launch in Vancouver, helping the city lead the way in green transportation and operations. Vancouver became the first city in North America to test parking stations, a project designed specifically to keep streets safe and uncluttered.

Recognizing that Canadians in cities like Edmonton and Mississauga continue to embrace micromobility even in winter conditions, they launched a new winter riding program with initiatives like winter tires, reflective stickers and enhanced safety education to ensure scooters remain a safe and reliable transportation option for Canadians year-round.

More Than a Job—A Mission for Change

For these women, Lime represents more than employment—it's a platform to create more sustainable and accessible cities while paving the way for more women in leadership within tech and transportation.

Together, they've fostered a collaborative culture where diverse perspectives are valued and where solutions are developed with attention to the needs of local communities. By breaking down barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields, these women are not just changing the face of leadership at Lime Canada—they're inspiring the next generation of women to take the wheel and drive change in their industries.

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