LEADERSHIP

Employers and colleagues have credited me with being an exceptional verbal and written communicator. It's not just about what I'm saying, but how I'm saying it. My skills in conveying complex and sensitive messages have proven to deescalate emotional situations and ensure comprehension from clients and stakeholders. 

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I meet my audience where they're at with respect to style and content and have a demonstratable history of providing engaging, professional, and clear messaging resulting in positive and productive stakeholder interactions.

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IMPACT:

In my professional career as a Social Worker, I had the privilege of using my personal experiences to shed light on some of the significant challenges that social workers face, particularly in the field of Child Protection. I was contacted by a reporter from CBC to conduct a television interview, in addition to a digital media story. I spoke with conviction, professionalism, and competence to relay information on sensitive and emotional topics.

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My written story and the 10-minute prime-time television interview had millions of interactions from around the world, was the leading Canadian national news story for over 24 hours, and was shared by the two leading global social work news sites with an audience of several million, in addition to other national and international media outlets. 

 

I started a virtual peer support platform on Instagram and Facebook for social workers and similar professionals and gained hundreds of followers from across Canada and the USA, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, many of whom expressed feeling the same as me and thanked me for speaking up about critical social care issues. 

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After viewing my interview, I was contacted by Fredericton South MLA David Coon who subsequently shared my deep concerns about the current child welfare system and the need for meaningful reform in the NB Legislative Assembly. I have also received praise and appreciation for my advocacy efforts from several provincial social work associations, in addition to the Canadian Association of Social Workers.

The use of technology and software is inextricable from our daily life. I continually search for new programs and platforms to aid in streamlining performance and organization, in addition to keeping up with assistive tech and accessibility services. 

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Nobody wants to endure yet another boring presentation or meeting. We've all been there and we all have lots to do! That's why when I am tasked with knowledge transference, I use technology to deliver aesthetically pleasing, well-organized presentations and deliverables that people want to engage with. No more handouts in the trash!

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IMPACT:

During COVID-19 restrictions, my team was unable to come together to celebrate our amazing foster families in person as is typical. Instead of a banquet, I used several technological mediums including Canva, to create an "at-home banquet" to celebrate. 

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I planned and created a visually stunning document that encompassed all the information normally relayed at the banquet including years of service awards, "golden nuggets" of feel-good moments over the year, a welcome to new families, and continuing education content. Because I work in a geographically large area, I coordinated with each of my team members to deliver and photograph the awards and send me the photos to include in the document. 

 

When the document was complete, my team and I mailed one to each family with a gift certificate for a restaurant and approval to hire respite care for the children so they could take an evening off to celebrate all their hard work.  

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While it may not have been as exciting as a banquet, many of the foster families sent my team and me messages saying how much they loved the idea and newsletter and hoped we could continue them, as it made them feel more connected to each other during a time of isolation. 

Nobody wants to feel like their organization or team is stagnant. Defining growth and taking action on tasks that get us there is a skill I'm proud of. Proactively seeking out or simply creating opportunities for growth, financial or otherwise, is something I excel at.  My skills for cultivating organizational and financial growth are transferrable and fundamental to any role I'm in. 

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IMPACT:

Through thoughtful messaging and offering a valuable experience and deliverables, I increased my professional social media presence by over 500% in ~6 months!

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Using my networking skills and offering value to stakeholders, I was able to increase network expansion at NB Champions for Child Rights by approximately 40%, resulting in more engagement with webinars and opening up significantly more opportunities to access private, Tri-Council, and government grants. 

Empathetically relating to people and their experiences with genuine interest is a natural ability for me. Fostering meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues is imperative for successful outcomes. 

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My authentic interactions and inviting personality have been significant factors in being rehired by organizations and the peaceful resolution of sometimes extreme conflict between clients and stakeholders.

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IMPACT:

I work hard to ensure I'm actively listening to the needs of my clients and colleagues. For example, I once had to take two small children into protective care due to severe physical safety and housing issues. At the time, it was not common for a parent to accompany the children during this process. In speaking candidly but respectfully with the mother, I decided it was best if she came with the children and me to the office and participated in placing them with foster families.

 

We had several in-depth conversations about her concerns and wishes for her children. I ensured she felt valued and included in an otherwise traumatic and authoritative process. Because I was able to foster a relationship that was trusting and respectful, she worked extremely hard on the safety issues and felt invested, as opposed to being victimized and acted upon by the system.

 

Together through our teamwork with several other support professionals, the children were returned home in 30% less time than is typical and my team applied to the court to dissolve the legal protective status on the children. This was a massive success in a situation that is extremely emotional and heart-breaking and I'm extremely proud of this mom!

Living in complicated times means our systems of getting things done are getting increasingly complex. Intergovernmental and interdepartmental affairs, and figuring out who does what can be daunting for many. I, on the other hand, enjoy a challenge. 

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I have personal and professional experience navigating through complex social and healthcare systems and have learned how to find and get what we need. My experience and understanding of policy analysis and systemic advocacy (micro and macro) have helped me lobby for my clients to receive the services they require and implement changes to flawed and outdated protocols. 

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IMPACT:

Using my knowledge of political, bureaucratic, and support systems, I have had the honour of:

• Assisting my previous clients in removing barriers to accessing funding programs that covered the costs of travel to access medical care and devices 

• Collaborating with local Indigenous elders and child welfare professionals to ensure culturally appropriate care

• Coordinating donations from sponsors to purchase gifts for children to celebrate Eid and Christmas,

• Lobbying municipal and provincial government officials around their ethical and legal duties with respect to children in poverty and precariously documented newcomers 

• Make professional recommendations to law enforcement regarding the "best interest of the child" and no-contact and Emergency Intervention orders and their potential impact on attachment and trauma responses.

Some people say, "What's the worst that could happen?", but I say, "What's the BEST that could happen?"! Taking calculated risks and using creativity to accomplish a range of tasks has resulted in some of my most meaningful career moments.

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IMPACT:

Using intellectually creative approaches has helped me disseminate complex child protection legislation to clients and stakeholders resulting in their demonstrated new abilities to explain back to me relevant parts of the law, where there was previously little understanding. 

 

Additionally, I completely transformed the garden of an assisted living home into a British-themed tea party in celebration of the Queen's birthday, complete with over 25 three-tiered serving trays I fabricated from thrifted and low-cost materials, paper-maché flowers and decorations, an elegant photo booth backdrop. I coordinated decorations, guests, menu, dignitaries, seating, and entertainment all with a budget of <$500 in less than two months. I was even able to collaborate with my manager and a private collector to display the gown Lady Dunn wore to Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 for the viewing pleasure of residents and guests. Several long-term residents told me and the Executive Board it was the best annual Garden Party they'd ever attended!