About Us

Julie Freedman Smith and Gail Bell founded Parenting Power in 2002. With a combined thirty years experience in the education sector, Julie and Gail knew they had a unique perspective on parenting; the decision to launch a business helping parents face everyday challenges was an easy one. Growing Parenting Power into a successful business has always been matched with Julie and Gail’s commitment to support and be present with their own children and families along the way. Nearly ten years (and 4 children) later, Parenting Power continues to expand and offers a comprehensive suite of parenting tools, from coaching to courses to conferences.

With its roots in family coaching and presentations in the community, Parenting Power also offers corporate workshops, customized seminars and public speaking for conferences and special events. Parenting Power is a well-known brand in their home city of Calgary, Alberta and serves clients throughout Canada and the United States.

As parenting experts, Julie and Gail were regularly featured on Calgary’s Citytv’s Breakfast Television and appear monthly on CTV’s Noon Show. They contribute monthly to CBC Radio’s province-wide program, Alberta@Noon. They have written hundreds of articles and have contributed to The Mompreneur Magazine. Both are quoted regularly in numerous publications and newspapers, including the Calgary Herald, the National Post and the Globe and Mail.

Parenting Power is praised by individual parents, schools and corporations alike for their humorous and educational keynote speeches, workshops and coaching sessions. Julie and Gail’s informal and relaxed presentations recharge and recommit participants, leaving them empowered with practical, real life tools and the energy to face the daily challenges of parenting.

Julie Freedman Smith, BSc, BA
Julie has been involved in children’s education for the past 20 years. Her experience as an Elementary/Jr. High music teacher, a choral conductor with the Calgary Boys Choir, and a choral clinician has resulted in extensive opportunities to work with children and adults in both individual and group environments.An inspiring speaker, Julie is a natural performer, having directed and performed in choirs throughout the world. Julie holds B.Sc. Biology and a B.A. Psychology with Distinction from the University of  Calgary. She is the mother of two children, Maya and Adam.

Gail Bell, BEd, MA

Gail’s career has always involved working with children, both home and abroad. Her 20 years in the public and private school systems both as an educator in the classroom, and as an administrator provides her with a broad experience base and unique insight when working with children and parents.Gail easily engages an audience with her enthusiasm for parenting, and her belief that all children want to learn, try their best, and do what is right, contributes to her goal of building positive relationships between parents and children. Gail holds a B.Ed. with Distinction and a M.A. (Honors) in Administration and Curriculum Development from Gonzaga University. She is the mother of two children, William and Grace.