Briefly describe your work journey that led to where you are today?

Banking is my second career – I used to be a professional horse back rider and coach!

In equestrian sport, I loved helping people grow in the sport and achieve goals whether it be by training, or at times, navigating the sale/purchase of horse.  After a time, I realized I needed a job where a “bad day at the office” didn’t involve a concussion.

So after some great conversations with my clients, I saw a path forward and went back to school for an MBA in finance.  At the bank I learned that those things that I loved in sport were the same things I loved in financial services: helping people grow and achieve goals, whether that be for a business owner or an individual. Plus I get to help my own team grow in their capabilities and career goals while helping others, so it’s been super fulfilling.

Knowing JA’s three pillars of financial health, work readiness, and entrepreneurship, how do you think being involved in JA learning experiences in your own schooling would have made a difference in your career?

Absolutely! Had I understood more about personal finances from a younger age, it would have been much, much, MUCH easier setting up my own business in my 20’s.  It’s nicer to learn in school than from the school of hard knocks!

What do you think has been the key to your success?

I try to lean into curiosity.  How can we help this business?  What’s really important to this team member?  How can we do better?

If you could do one thing differently in your career, what would it have been and why?

I would have been kinder to myself.  Perfectionism is not a sustainable path, and offering yourself some of the same grace that you offer others around you is an important type of self-care.

What advice would you give young people starting out in business (your industry or any other)?

Remember that soft skills are just as important as hard skills; doing a good job is important, but doing that while making others around you feel good is even better!  And early in your career, particularly in banking, is the best time to explore lateral paths; not every step needs to be a promotion.  Lean into curiosity to build a broad experiential base so as to identify exactly what gives you joy in the workplace, and then you can pursue it at a higher level in time.

What do you think a young person’s biggest opportunity is at this time?

The world’s your oyster!  AI has the potential to bring about huge changes in the economy in a short time, so why not explore how that changes opportunities in any field that you love?  Regardless of computer changes, people will still need places to live, electricity and water, so the trades represent a pretty neat path to entrepreneurship too.

What do you think the biggest obstacle is for a young person today? How could they overcome this?

I think it’s challenging for a young person to decide what they would like to pursue, regardless of era.  To help, think about what you like to do for fun, and how it might translate into responsibilities or work-patterns in a career.  Do you like to work solo, or in a team? Do you like to work on processes or relationships?  It’s hard to listen to your inner voice at times, so ask it some great questions to help find your path forward. 

What is one goal you have set for yourself that you have not yet achieved? What has prevented you from achieving it?

When I was younger, I wanted to go to the Olympics.  And while I have closed that window as an athlete, maybe I could explore it as a judge in the sport.  I’ve not pursued a higher judging designation because I’m having too much fun doing other things at the moment.

What is your biggest passion in life, outside of work?

I love classical music, the opera, and going to the Stratford Festival.  And I spend a great deal of time with family, friends, gardening, golfing, and judging horse shows.  

What three words would your family use to describe you? Are those three words the same or different that your employees would use? If different, what would your employees say?

My family would say I’m cheeky, ambitious, and clever… but not always in a good way 😉

I think my employees would say I’m energetic, competitive, and I hope, kind.   

If a young person reads this interview, what do you want them to take away from it?

Go for it!  When you don’t know exactly which direction to go, choose any direction and you’ll be right.  And if down that path it doesn’t feel good, then you can choose another.

Who has been your greatest inspiration/role model/mentor? Why? What did they teach you?

I’ve had so many mentors and role models in my life – I think of it like a board of directors!  From my parents I learned how important entrepreneurial drive is in business, but also how important it is to help your neighbours and community.

What is your earliest memory of philanthropy? Why do you believe being philanthropic is important personally and/or in your business?

As a child I remember volunteering in a soup kitchen with members of our church.  It was a vivid lesson as it was the first time I saw a different world from my own, how other lives were shaped, and to see that we have a duty to share with each other.

What is it about JA’s mission that makes you choose to support its efforts?

I’m drawn to JA’s support and encouragement of the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.  It’s an inspiration to see firsthand the energy and creativity that they’re bringing to bear to make Canada and the world a better place.