hr influencer
IN A NUTSHELL
First job: I was a librarian’s assistant at the New Toronto Library when I was 12.
Childhood ambition: I wanted to be an accountant because I loved numbers.
Originally, I started to follow that path and then early on, I realized I wanted to move into
nursing.
Best boss and why: I’ve been very fortunate in my career. I’ve had a number of great
bosses, and the thing they all had in common was that they were excellent coaches and
helped me develop professionally. I continue to stay in touch with all of them.
Current source of inspiration: I think my current source of inspiration is really about
making a difference. Where I am in my career, I have a great opportunity to develop and impact
other people. It’s inspirational for me to see other people succeed and grow.
Best piece of advice I ever got: One of my previous bosses, Caroline Brereton,
advised me to always think from a systems perspective. Apply a systems lens – step back
and look at it, and understand the impact of your decisions at a systems level.
Favourite music: I was at a Jim Cuddy concert recently. My favourite band is Blue
Rodeo.
Last book you read: Finding Our Way: Leadership for an Uncertain Time by Margaret
Wheatley. I am reading it again for the second time – I always have a leadership book going,
to be honest.
How do you spend your time away from work? I spend it with my family
– my husband and two sons. We try to get out and golf, see Blue Jays games and spend
time together.
Wherever you are, you’re never that far from
employment and labour law that works.
HRP: What tips do you have for new
grads or those in entry-level HR jobs
who want to move up the ladder?
SS: There are two key learnings I would like
to pass on. First, ensure you have a mentor
who can help you develop as an individual
professional. Second, work to develop a network
of peers and keep up to date with your
profession – tap into your network, learn
from it and share. Both of those things have
really supported my success throughout my
career.
HRP: What’s the future of HR?
SS: The HR profession continues to evolve.
I’m not sure we’ve been able to fully demonstrate
that concept of HR as a strategic
business partner across all industries yet.
I think we’ll see that developing as we continue
working side by side with leaders to
contribute to an organization’s success. HR
is truly making strides when it comes to impacting
business. It continues to transform
as a profession. As a senior HR executive in
Ontario, I have seen a difference in the last
10 to 15 years in terms of the ability of HR
to influence organizations. n
With 75 lawyers across Canada dedicated to this exclusively management-side practice,
Norton Rose Fulbright’s Employment and Labour Law group offers tailored and effective
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and corporate cultures.
Law around the world
nortonrosefulbright.com
Calgary
Bill Armstrong
403.267.8255
Montréal
Marie-Hélène Jetté
514.847.4650
Québec
Jocelyn F. Rancourt
418.640.5003
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John Mastoras
416.216.3905
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Karen Jensen
613.780.8673
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68 ❚ FEBRUARY 2015 ❚ HR PROFESSIONAL