Lily Ahonen
Height: 5’3
Hometown: Calgary, AB
Languages: English
Occupation: Nurse
Lily Ahonen found her calling caring for medically fragile children with complex medical needs. For over a decade now, she is proud to be a nurse in this niche field. In addition to this, she also works as a Nurse in corporate wellness. Lily also holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology from SAIT. She is a voracious learner, businesswoman, entrepreneur, inspirational speaker, and mother to a teen daughter. She has a keen interest in real estate and is working on building her portfolio for the future.
Lily is a first generation Canadian and was born and raised in the friendly city of Calgary. She holds citizenship for both Finland and Canada. Her love of exploring foreign countries and living abroad has brought her to visit over 40 countries, and she has lived in five. Ignited by her passion to travel, Lily begun the process to fulfill a life-long dream; to fly her own plane. She is on the way and has partially completed training for attaining a Private Pilot’s license. Lily is an actor and has appeared in film, television, music videos and commercials. She has walked in runway shows and been a hair model on many occasions. Lily is also an internationally certified Makeup Artist and has a cosmetics line called “Marigold Beauty”, allowing her to bring out her creative side.
She is a Sustainer Member of the Junior League of Calgary, having volunteered with them since 2010. She regularly volunteers with many local organizations in her hometown of Calgary, Alberta along with local grassroots organization “Love with Humanity Association” since 2018. In 2023, she began co-managing her own 24-hour outdoor food pantry and mini library, to help with food security for her community. She is an ambassador for Gems for Gems, an organization which helps survivors of domestic violence. She is passionate about empowering young people and mentoring youth. She recently began hosting motivational workshops which she intends to continue monthly. A goal for the future she is working towards is utilizing her experience and skills to serve as an empowerment coach for vulnerable populations.
Lily is a living organ donor, having donated her kidney in 2019. Her platform is bringing awareness to blood and organ donation. A children’s book, called “Sparkle, a Kidney Journey” has been written about her transplant experience. Lily has been involved in pageantry since the age of 40. She has proudly held her hometown title of Ms. Calgary 2021, as well as the international titles of Ms. Regal World 2022 and Ms. Achievement World 2024. She is extremely honored to represent her age category, for the first year ever, in the Miss Universe Canada pageant system.
What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
I love extreme sports and adrenaline inducing activities! I have run with the bulls, skydived, flown planes, raced cars and rappelled down buildings. I love to travel and have been to over 40 countries. I have recently become interested in real estate investment. I love to volunteer and I am currently working on starting a community garden in California in collaboration with a local non profit company.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
I have my firearms permit and have completed half of my private pilot’s license. I have taken acting lessons and want to expand on my skills in this area. I have attended leadership training courses and will be attending empowerment coach training in October 2024. I am internationally certified as a makeup artist and I love bringing out my creative side.
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
I enjoy walking and riding my bike. I played floor hockey in school and loved the fast pace!
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
My daughter Marigold has had the most influence on my life. She has shown me what courage, strength and determination can do. She has made me want to constantly work on myself, to live to my full potential, so I can be a role model for her.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
My proudest accomplishment was when I donated my kidney to a childhood friend in August 2019. I want to live my life in a way that I can leave a legacy that is bigger than myself and make a small impact in a lasting way. I have become an advocate for blood and organ donation and am proud to share my story and experience to bring awareness.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
I have a short-sleeper gene mutation and was a participant in a study in the US in 2014. I only sleep 5-6 hours per night and I am not affected by jet lag. I really appreciate having more time to do things that I love!
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
I am currently doing what I love, a career based on my passion of helping others. I am a Nurse for medically fragile children who live in my home. I have been operating a medical foster home for almost 15 years. I am also a landlord and my goal is to grow my real estate portfolio over the next 5 years.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
As I look to partial retirement in the next decade, I would love to work remotely while travelling. I would love to work as a coach and also offer workshops for young people.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was born and raised in Calgary, as a first generation Canadian. I have dual citizenship for Finland. I grew up in the city center, in a very diverse and multicultural neighborhood. I still have the same best friend from my childhood; we have been friends for almost 40 years now. I grew up with just my parents and sisters here in Canada, as all of our other relatives live in Europe. I left home at a young age and spent many years travelling and living abroad. I have lived in Spain, Finland, England and the United Arab Emirates.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
I have been working since I was 12 years old and have had many different jobs. One of the most interesting jobs was working as a pizza delivery driver in the 1990’s. It was a time before google maps, and I had a paper map booklet which I had to flip through to look up the addresses! It was very rare to see a female pizza delivery driver in that era, and people were always very surprised when I showed up at their door. Another interesting job was when I was a model on a website for antique maps.
List any volunteering you have done.
I have volunteered with a local grassroots organization called Love with Humanity since 2018. They operate 24-hour outdoor food pantries and mini libraries across Alberta, and I have been co-managing one with my daughter since July 2023. They also offer fresh produce giveaways, tax filing clinics and senior’s home holiday events. I am a Sustainer member with the Junior League of Calgary and have volunteered with this organization since 2010. I have been an Ambassador for Gems for Gems since 2018, an organization which helps survivors of domestic violence. I also receive a large amount of donations from a large business every month. I sort and match specific items to select charities in Calgary and deliver the items.
What is your most unusual talent?
I am able to fall asleep on a plane, bus or train, sitting upright, with a cup of coffee in my hand. I will sleep and not drop or spill my drink. I’m sure this must frighten the people seated next to me!
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
My daughter and I go to the Coachella music festival in California every year, and we go on mini road trips in the surrounding areas. I came across a magical place called Bombay Beach, hidden away in the desert, nestled beside the Salton Sea. It is the lowest community in the United States, located 223 feet below sea level, and offers the most outstanding sunsets I have ever witnessed. This formerly abandoned area has been brought back to life by artists who have left their mark with incredible works amid the ruins, and on the beachfront.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
I hope to be travelling between California, Calgary, Central America and Europe. I would love to be working remotely as a coach and workshop facilitator, while also hosting wellness retreats. Volunteering and giving back to the community are part of who I am, and that will continue to be important to me, wherever I will be.
Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?
Thank you for reading and learning about who I am as a person. I am very honored to compete in this prestigious pageant, especially as the second oldest delegate. I want to show that anything in life is possible and it’s never to late to go after your dreams and goals.