Ever come across any leaders who sent you on a path you weren’t expecting? Are any of them women? I want to share the female leaders who empowered me to grow and embrace my leadership journey. In essence, they lifted me! To those women, I say thank you. Each woman spotlighted in this post has shown up at different stages of my life, but to share in the context of my journey, I am sharing them in the order in which they entered my life.
First up, Tami!
The extraordinary female leader I have closest to a sister is Tami! A cousin, but more like a sister, Tami has always made me see all sides of a challenge and opportunity, and when I decide, she supports me 100%. We never compete on things as we are opposites in many ways. What I’ve learned from Tami is her unwavering love for her family while still loving and owning her career. Never say sorry for wanting a particular job; she is also one of the most loving extroverts I know. When I need to show up as an extrovert, I tap into my inner Tami. I am always in awe of her knowledge, experience, and ability to stay true to herself.
Second up, Jennifer!
Those who know me know that Jennifer is on my list of amazing women. As sister-in-law and queen bee of selflessness, Jennifer was also our surrogate just over 17 years ago. She demonstrates an unwavering desire to help others feel the joy of parenthood and live up to their full potential. She never judged me for wanting to be a mom while having a great career, but she showed me how to love unconditionally. Raising three girls, running a home daycare, and carrying our child, Jennifer epitomizes a “working mom.” I’m not sure I’d show up for others to help them be the best versions of themselves if it weren’t for Jennifer.
Third up, Mary-Jo!
Mary-Jo became an instant best friend when we met in college. She has taught me so much, but one of the critical leadership growth lessons is changing my hiring practices and approach to pregnant women (and men wanting to take parental leave). Mary-Jo was pregnant when she started on the same team at a software development company. Once my leader, and HR, found out she was pregnant after being hired, I was given a fair amount of flack for it. Even though it was not my place to tell the company, and she was not at a stage where couples typically share that they are pregnant. I immediately knew that the views on pregnant women applying for a job where they plan on being long-term employees needed to change. I have since used my voice when people are biased against a woman or a man who choose to have a family and take maternity or parental leave. If the hire is the right talent, I drive the whole life balance narrative and break the status quo on the typical bias that impacts parents, thanks to Mary-Jo’s experience.
Fourth up, Iwona!
Iwona hired me right out of school and saw something I had not seen in myself. I will be ever grateful for her pushing me into the non-traditional library and information role even if it cost her reputation credit and a staff member. Iwona showed me what empowerment looks like and doing what is best for someone to be the best version of themselves. I’d not be writing this today if it was not for her.
Fifth up, Irene!
Irene has been immensely influential on my leadership journey. She helped me embrace my first managerial role and showed me how to lead a team of great talent by letting them shine through more of a coaching leadership style. In addition, Irene supported me while I took parental leave with my son and even managed my team while I was off. Another area I can thank Irene for is teaching me how to navigate internal politics. I will always be grateful for her mentoring me while I consider my next career move and for being a reference whenever I ask.
Sixth up, Eve!
Eve is the fantastic female who helped me learn to soul search and gain comfort by digging into my self-awareness journey and exploring my interests outside of work. With Eve’s help, I began to change my sense of what my career could be on my terms by tapping into my creative side. From a leadership perspective, Eve showed me what lifting other women up looks like without competing. Eve was an inspiration when I was also a sleep-deprived working mom. She never said I couldn’t do something because I had a child. As I moved organizations on my career journey, I continued to tap into my inner Eve to grow great friendships with other amazing women.
Seventh up, Kimberly!
My sister from another mister, Kimberly, was brought to the same law firm as me to become one of my biggest supporters and best friends. Kimberly is a fantastic female that has been one of the biggest cheerleaders during my career journey. She demonstrated how women should show up for other women no matter what is happening in one’s life. Challenges in one’s journey and the desire to see another succeed are not in competition. When I moved from Ontario to Alberta, Kimberly’s cheerleading never wavered. She told me I could do my MBA, and when I succeeded, I knew she’d be super excited for me. From a leadership perspective, Kimberly taught me to hold onto my leadership values, and she helped me begin diving into my negotiables, non-negotiables, and must-haves. If those no longer align with an organization, it’s time to consider moving on.
Eighth up, Seana!
Seana makes the list of amazing females who influenced my journey. Seana showed me what a working mom with two boys looked like and never once felt like she needed to compromise on her career. From a leadership perspective, Seana allowed me to expand, explore and grow the capabilities which drove my career in many ways. While the travel in that role ultimately impacted my health and family since my son was only five years old, the experiences thatSeana gave me helped shape me into the leader I am today. In addition, she had a significant amount of empathy when my mother-in-law was sick and ultimately lost her battle with breast cancer. Her ability to see what I needed while accepting that I would deliver beyond what she was expecting got me through a rough time. Working for Seana again has crossed my mind a few times over the years, and that’s not something I can say has happened before.
Nineth up, Bernadette!
Bernadette is one of the main reasons I’m confident enough to write these posts. She saw something in me and would push me so far out of my comfort zone that it accelerated my growth by leaps and bounds. I moved from Ontario to Alberta, not for the company per se but to work with her and her passion for Records Management and people. While under Bernadette, she pushed me hard to learn about the company, the internal politics and the demands of our team and go for my MBA. It was her faith in me that I could do my MBA while continuing to grow and take on more responsibility that I have been able to expand, grow and seek rotations to push me even further from my comfort zone. Bernadette knew the right buttons to make me become the best version of myself. Her influence shows up daily in my passion for helping others be their best versions. I must also say Bernadette showed me genuine empathy in a leader while not 100% having that lived experience when I needed it the most. I showed up as the best version of myself at work, home, school, and team because of Bernadette’s influence and guidance. I am ever so grateful for her seeing my potential and allowing me to move to a company where I continually grow daily.
Tenth up, Andrea!
Last but certainly not least, Andrea! What has Andrea not taught me in the three years we have worked together? First, she has shown methat an extraordinary female leader wants what’s best for someone. My HIPA (highly important person of awesomeness), Andrea, has allowed me to grow as a female leader where I can be thrilled and proud of other females’ accomplishments without ever feeling like I need to compete. Her ability to command an audience, present with confidence, her ability to drive strategy and her unique superpower of knowing how to cut through the BS when preparing executive communications is what I wish I could grow through osmosis. Unfortunately, I have yet to perfect that skill, so Andrea remains patient with me as I develop the traditional way of trial and error. As a single mom, Andrea has helped me see that women can have fantastic careers and amazing kids. Andrea lends an ear, brainstorms, and allows me to shine daily without feeling one-sided. She keeps me sane, and honestly, I can thrive in my role, writing, and growth because Andrea was in the group I rotated into, and we became instant friends. She’s become one of my best friends, and no matter where our careers take us, I know I have Andrea in my corner cheering me on.
Stay tuned for my next post in the Women Empowerment Series on amazing females who have crossed my path and know my life is better because of them.
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