Tell us a bit about your career background?
While completing my first degree, I worked part-time at a call centre in Winnipeg. After graduation, I was promoted into management and continued in leadership roles across several call centres. I discovered a real passion for management, which inspired me to return to school to pursue business studies. Around this time, the call centre industry in Manitoba began to shift, with many centres closing. This change led me to explore opportunities in the public sector, which brought me to Southern Health-Santé Sud’s Human Resources department in 2013. Since then, most of my career with the organization has been as a Labour Relations Officer, a role I held until my appointment as Vice President – Human Resources in January 2023.

What do you do for fun?
I’m an introvert so my hobbies are largely quiet activities that I can do in my own time. I enjoy cross stitch, colouring books, and I recently dabbled with friendship bracelets (I TS). I am also an animal lover and have a passion for helping animals in need. I have fostered about 15 dogs, often brought in as strays and not used to being indoors. I live in Steinbach and we have a stray cat problem in town. I do what I can to help the strays in my neighbourhood, putting out food and water for them year round, as well as warming huts and access to our garage in winter. I try to make friends with the ones who stop by so I can try and get them into rescue or at least medical attention. We’ve got cameras out so we can keep an eye on which ones come through the yard. I love watching the footage – sometimes we get a rabbit or fox as well.

What is a piece of advice you would give someone considering a leadership role?
Stepping into a leadership role can be both deeply rewarding and profoundly humbling, and anyone considering it should be prepared for both sides. Leaders are often the ones who shoulder responsibility when things go wrong, yet step aside to ensure their team receives the credit when things go right. I’m a strong admirer of Simon Sinek, who reminds us that leadership isn’t about being “in charge,” but about caring for the people entrusted to our charge.

What is something you wish people knew about working in Human Resources?
In most jobs, people focus primarily on one task or department. In Human Resources, the nature of the work brings you outside your own department and provides a glimpse of many other viewpoints. One of the things I enjoy most about working in HR is the opportunity to connect with people across the region and learn about the many different roles that make up our organization. I find it fascinating to see how each position contributes to the bigger picture and how interconnected we all are. And of course, HR is known for having really good snacks!