Now, I lead from a place of empathy and servitude, and I bring more of my authentic self to my role, which has made me more effective and fulfilled.
I have been working in government for the past 20 years as a member of Canada's foreign service. In my initial role as a Management & Consular Officer, I assisted Canadian citizens abroad during their worst moments and managed embassy administration in Ottawa, Cuba, the UAE, and Venezuela. Later, I transitioned into trade promotion, helping Canadian businesses export goods and services internationally.
By joining the Master of Arts in Global Leadership program, I hoped to gain inspiration to reach beyond what I had been able to accomplish so far in my career. After two decades of challenging, fascinating work, I wanted to explore what more I could do in service of my country, and I needed some new ideas to get there. The hybrid model was perfect as it allowed me to continue working while studying, with the added benefit of in-person connections, which I valued greatly. And I needed a model that I could handle with the 15-hour time difference.
One of the things I am most grateful for about my learning journey was the opportunity to attend a residency in January 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic made international travel more challenging. I will never forget the aha moments of those enriching courses, as we dug our hands into systems thinking, servant leadership and so much more. Additionally, the connections I made with the faculty, staff, and my cohort were invaluable. I feel so fortunate to have joined a group of diverse, brave, committed, and generous individuals. I learned so much from them.
Since completing the program, I deliberately take more risks and strive to create safe spaces for others to do the same. Now, I lead from a place of empathy and servitude, and I bring more of my authentic self to my role, which has made me more effective and fulfilled. As an ambassador dealing with complex and diverse problems daily, the skills I gained from the program helped me see systems, recognize connections, and identify patterns to try to effect sustainable change. I am committed to continuous learning and encourage those around me to follow their own journeys as well.
Get to know other graduates of the Royal Roads Master of Arts in Global Leadership program here.