I’m currently the Practice Support Services Coordinator at the Canadian Dental Association. I recently joined the CSAE in early April 2019 and hope to connect with fellow YPs around Canada as well as learn more about the Association world. I have worked in a few different associations and know that the association world is the place for me.
What do you get out of your membership with CSAE?
I hope to be able to connect with members across the country, learn about best practises from different associations in different industries, as well as provide my input wherever required.
What does leadership mean to you and how do you lead others in your organization?
Leadership is very important to me. No matter what type of company or industry, successful companies/associations have great leadership. I believe that it flows from the top down. If an association has a good leadership structure they are more than likely to be successful. The best way I’ve found to lead others is to lead by example. When people see good leadership they tend to follow it rather than someone telling them about how to be a good leader. I’ve noticed in my career that people tend to listen to leaders who lead by example, the old saying is true, actions speak louder than words. I have always tried to lead in this way, and so far in my career it has worked.
What keeps you motivated?
2 things keep me very motivated. First, I am very fortunate to be working in an Association with great colleagues who when I look at the work they produce it’s hard not to be motivated and want to achieve their level. Many of my colleagues have been with the organization for a long period of time, so they have obtain great amounts of knowledge regarding our profession and even though I haven’t been with the organization for a long time I’ve been able to learn a lot so far. The knowledge they have passed onto me so far is a great motivator for what’s coming in the future and the amazing thing about them is that they do not keep the knowledge to themselves; they are more than willing to share it with others.
The second thing that keeps me motivated is my family. Once again I am very fortunate to be blessed with an amazing family: mom, dad and an older sister who mean the world to me. I’ve looked up to my parents ever since I was a young boy, and the older I get I realize what they have had to sacrifice in order to give my sister and I a great life here in Canada. They instilled a great work ethic in me, always teaching me to do my best in everything that I do and do things the right way as well as help others whenever I can. As with my colleagues I have learned a great deal from my parents and I continue to learn everyday from them how to be a better professional, but most importantly how to be a better person.
What’s one piece of advice you would like to share with others?
Never stop learning. I am a strong believer that education doesn’t stop once you finish school. I have been fortunate enough to be part of organizations that have the same belief and I have benefited greatly from it and continue to learn at every possible opportunity.
What is your favourite travel destination?
By far Washington, DC, I am a big U.S. History buff so DC is heaven for me. I have been to the city numerous times, my girlfriend and I go at least once a year and I can’t wait until I go back. The city has so much history, amazing museums which I have spent a great deal of time exploring. And it’s not just the city; it’s the whole DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia) area which first and foremost has some beautiful scenery, especially in the summertime, but it has so much rich history. Every time I’ve been there I’ve found something new to explore as well as learn something new. I am also a huge Washington Wizards fan and have attended a number of games while in DC.
