Media Room

Founder's Bio

Tawnya Sutherland, Founder of Virtual Assistant Networking Association (VANA), lives on the shores of the Pacific Ocean near Vancouver, Canada and is a single mother of 3 teenage children working from a home-based office as a Virtual Assistant.

She is a Certified Internet Marketing Business Strategist and Multimedia Specialist for her company, Mediamage Business Solutions graduating in 2002 from the University of British Columbia with her Multimedia and Internet Marketing certifications. In 1982 she obtained her Legal Secretarial Certificate at Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario.

An active member of many Virtual Assistant organizations online, Tawnya is founder of VANA Virtual Assistant Networking Association (www.vanetworking.com), the largest Virtual Assistant member based networking hotspot online.

Tawnya Sutherland is available for speaking and media engagements at business conferences and women's organizations throughout North America regarding subjects on Internet Marketing, Virtual Assistance and business startups.

A long-time active member of the VA community, Sutherland founded The Virtual Assistant Networking Association, the largest online global meeting place for successful and aspiring Virtual Assistants. Tawnya is also the creator of the internationally acclaimed Virtual Business Startup System—which provides all the information, tools, and resources for a VA to build a viable virtual assistance business in just 30 days.

Tawnya began her own administrative support VA business, Mediamage Business Solutions, in 1997 but has since focused on providing Internet Marketing services helping her clients turn clicks into cash. Tawnya is a Certified Internet Marketing Business Strategist and Multimedia Usability Specialist graduating in 2002 from the University of British Columbia.

A true entrepreneur, Tawnya also owns, operates and markets her family's aviation companies Mile High Customs, The Aviation Black Book ALM Custom Carvings and Mile High Productions.

Tawnya’s newest venture in the VA industry is hosting and producing the internet radio show, The VA Talk Show which informs, educates and entertains virtual achievers globally.

Personal Style: Tawnya like a ginger snap cookie: Strong flavored, yet tasty and addictive, with just the right amount of sprinkled sugar sweetness on top to inspire and motivate you to eat more!

Volunteer Work in the Virtual Industry:

Virtual Assistant Networking Association (VANA)
2003 to Present ~ Founder

Canadian Virtual Assistant Network (CVAN)
2007 to Present ~ Success Partner

Canadian Virtual Assistant Connection (CVAC)
2004 to Present ~ Executive Committee - Director of Internet Marketing

Online International Virtual Assistant Convention (OIVAC)
2005 to Present ~ Website Steering Committee
2005 to Present ~ Internet Marketing Steering Committee
2005 to Present ~ Silent Auction Steering Committee

Alliance For Virtual Business
2004 to 05 ~ Website Committee Volunteer
2004 to Present ~ Silent Auction Caretaker

Red Deer University
2004 to Present ~ Mentor Practicum Students with VA Work Experience

DMOZ Editor
2004 to Present

Member of the Following Virtual Organizations:

Virtual Assistant Networking Association (VANA)

International Internet Marketing Association (IIMA)

International Association of Virtual Office Assistants (IAVOA)

International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA)

Canadian Virtual Assistants Connection (CVAC)

Canadian Virtual Assistants Network (CVAN)

Digital Women

On a personal note...

Tawnya loves to travel with her lastest adventures being her home town Bewdley, Ontario and a medievil vacation to Europe. Her next travel spot? Hopefully the Caribbean Islands or somewhere with palmtrees.

Tawnya's favorite moments however are times spent with her kids who are growing faster than the weeds in her garden. From the scary amusement park rides she must endure, birthday parties to organize and sports events to attend, Tawnya especially loves one on one time with her kids whether it is playing a duet together or just snuggling up and being goofy. "It's hard to believe my oldest has grown into a successful, independent, working woman already herself!" says Tawnya of her 18 year old daughter.

Tawnya Sutherland is available to speak in various business venues and women's organizations globally from large conferences, talk radio shows, television, small web-based seminars, company training and one on one coaching for business start-ups, virtual assistance and internet marketing.

Topics of interest relate around Virtual Assistance, Internet Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Usability, etc.

Please to book Tawnya for your next speaking engagement.