TAG HR’s Leaders in Business series was created in 2021. Originally, it was an idea for us to connect with local leaders through a survey asking them to share their stories and advice.
Almost four years later, it’s grown into much more—with hundreds of hours spent getting to know community leaders, conducting exclusive interviews, and crafting bite-sized glimpses into their personal and professional lives, journeys, advice, and more. These are all efforts that I can’t take credit for, as it’s the brainchild of our Vice President of Strategy & Culture, Jesika Arseneau.
While we can’t quantify all the lives it has touched, I do know it has touched mine and a few of my coworkers. I’m happy to introduce you to Carissa Wamboldt, TAG HR’s Client Lead in Federal Government Staffing, and Sara Salgado, Sales & Marketing Assistant, who are also featured in this blog with their own takeaways and anecdotes sparked by the leaders’ conversations.
You may see yourself in our stories, or you may find the solution to your problem at hand. Enjoy our reflection on the leaders who participated in our series last year, along with our insights on their wisdom and impact.
Forging your Path
Finding your purpose is a big theme for your 20s and 30s. After graduation, you arrive at a crossroads of a million possibilities.
Lydia Blanchard, Executive Director of the non-profit organization Banff Forum, one of Canada’s preeminent public policy forums, summed it up perfectly when she said,
You can forge your own path to success. Finding success isn’t about who your family knows or where you come from; it’s about the determination and resilience you bring to the table.
— Lydia Blanchard, Executive Director
That sentiment really struck a chord with Carissa, our Federal Government Client Lead.
Reflecting on her own journey, she shared: “As a young and new professional, TAG HR hired me right out of my post-graduate degree. That was a pivotal moment of forging my path forward in success and my career.”
Starting in a new role and industry in which she’d never worked before was no small feat. She admitted, “I think just being young and new in an industry, trying to excel and be the best I could be as a young professional was an obstacle that I overcame.”
Carissa has since made her mark at TAG HR, building strong connections with federal government hiring managers, picking up best practices, and becoming an expert in the field. She explained, “I set myself up for success through my everyday actions—a mix of determination, perseverance, and being organized with my time—while also connecting with others and building a network both within the company and with my clients. When I have a goal in mind, and it’s meaningful, there’s nothing that can stop me.”
Carissa’s story echoes what Lydia said – carving out your own success with focus and drive, even when the path is uncharted.
Unconventional Career Roadmaps
— Caroline Phillips, Journalist
Through her words, I can almost feel the mix of exhilaration and fear she must’ve carried on that journey. That kind of leap takes courage, especially when the outcome isn’t guaranteed, yet those moments often shape us the most.
Her story connected with Sara, our Sales & Marketing Assistant. While her path has been different, the spirit of taking a leap into the unknown resonated with her deeply:
“This was so inspiring to read. Nowadays, Caroline Phillips has built her name and well-deserved love in Ottawa as a journalist. It feels like her story was put in front of me as a reference.
At the end of the day, I’m just starting my career, and my ‘Yukon trip’ was moving countries and starting a life almost three years ago in Canada. Fast forward, there’s so much I’ve achieved and so much yet to be conquered. Reading her story (especially coming from a woman) makes me believe it’s possible. I’m heading the right way.”
Her reflection captures a universal truth: sometimes, taking that first step into the unknown is the hardest part.
Michel Nungisa, Lead Counsel & Bilingual Workplace Investigator at Nungisa Law, wouldn’t have opened his own practice without the encouragement of others.
Sometimes, people see things in you that you’re not able or willing to see about yourself; we can be afraid of our own greatness out of a sense of humility.
— Michel Nungisa, Lead Counsel & Bilingual Workplace Investigator
Yet, the inspiration behind starting your own business isn’t always fueled by encouragement and positive moments. For Dr. Anmar Salman, a Family Physician and Co-founder of Novel Health, motivation came from a deep desire to change the healthcare industry.
In a struggling healthcare industry, we also saw the need for comprehensive care and knew waiting wasn’t an option. We chose to be proactive and create solutions ourselves.
— Dr. Anmar Salman, Family Physician & Cofounder
Isn’t it so fascinating that everyone’s origin stories are all so different yet filled with the drive for change?
It’s scary to embrace the unknown—whether it’s moving to a new country, starting a business, or simply following a dream, none comes with guarantees. But there’s also something freeing about not knowing exactly where we’ll end up. Those moments of uncertainty often give way to the most meaningful chapters of our lives.
Being Driven by Passion
How do you make sure that the choices you make align with your sense of self?
In recruitment, we find that aligning your passion with the company’s culture leads to a more successful career in that particular organization.
For Lydia Blanchard, the intentionality and transparency that Banff Forum could bring to her life was enough to help her transition industries, even at a senior leadership level.
It’s not about jumping at the next available opportunity; it’s about ensuring alignment with your values and aspirations… For me, transitioning into a new industry meant evaluating opportunities with an open mind and deeply reflecting on how I could maximize my impact in my career.
— Lydia Blanchard, Executive Director
Taking the risk of leaving an established role is not an easy decision, and it’s something that we felt deeply inspired by.
For Sara, the philosophy of finding purpose in everything you do has come a long way with her. Helping her to pull through, even during the toughest days:
“At every job I’ve had, reminding myself why we do what we do has allowed me to pull through the toughest days and celebrate the good ones with even more excitement.
At TAG HR, we see the impact of how a well-thought-out hire can change a company’s direction for good, from streamlining an administrative process, to something as big as a new department being created as a result. That’s inspiring, and up to some degree, I feel like I’m contributing to the development and growth of the Ottawa business community.
Not saying it’s easy. It can be challenging to see the impact on a day-to-day basis, when you are stuck with an obstacle that you can’t begin to figure out, or you’re in the middle of a creative block. It’s frustrating!
But there are moments where it was all worth it: when we show up to events and been told that they’ve seen us on their LinkedIn feed, or when our client expresses interest in a candidate profile from our email marketing campaigns, or when someone leaves us a well-thought-out comment on our socials. These quantifiable moments remind me that I am making a difference and is what makes all of the hard work so satisfying and rewarding.”
Beyond finding passion in their day jobs, many leaders we spoke to emphasized the importance of giving back—a commitment that often extended to additional community involvements on top of their full-time roles.
At the end of the day, who you are and what drives you should be the guiding light in finding work that matters to you and makes your time worthwhile.
For Robert Rhéaume, community involvement is a defining part of his identity. His contributions to the community are reflected in the leadership roles he holds. He serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Hôpital Montfort Foundation, Director and Chair of the Audit & Finance Committee for the Ottawa Board of Trade, Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee for the Board of Directors at BGC Ottawa, and as a Director on the Board of Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa.
Giving back started when Robert was a teen. With a few friends, he started a program teaching kids to skate. Reminiscing about that experience, he told us,
That experience taught me how small actions can have a ripple effect… Helping young people feel supported and capable of achieving their goals is what drives my commitment. Community work has been a constant reminder of the support I’ve received throughout my career – from mentors, colleagues, and clients—and it feels meaningful to pay it forward.
— Robert Rhéaume, CEO & President
His community support efforts are something I hope to achieve in my career. It’s inspiring to see how Robert has woven his passions into his community work, making each role an extension of his values.
For the longest time, my acts of giving back were out of necessity: volunteering to fill the hours or to gain experience and get my foot in the door. I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in causes I deeply believe in. Still, I’ve yet to find something that truly aligns with my mission and long-term goals.
It’s a reminder that regardless of what you do, it’s about finding ways to create a lasting impact that resonates with you and what you believe in.
Finding Balance Through Collaboration
Finding a balance between work and life can be challenging. And often, you don’t realize you’re about to burn out until it’s too late. Sound familiar?
Many of the leaders we spoke to share this struggle. Between professional commitments, personal responsibilities, and community involvement, balance was a recurring topic in our conversations.
As Karla Briones, CEO of Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada, puts it:
Maintaining balance is not easy, and I’ve learned that having a great support team and delegating effectively is key… Trusting others and giving them the opportunities to grow has made all the difference.
— Karla Briones, CEO
Her words echoed with me. Isn’t it incredible how mutual trust and collaboration can alleviate stress? For me, though, delegating and asking for help doesn’t come naturally – it’s something I know I need to work on.
Before Sara came on board at the beginning of 2024, the two-woman marketing team comprising Jesika Arseneau and me was operating but not quite thriving. A small marketing team was something I was used to. But amidst the launch of a new website, still trying to maintain the company’s social media and support clients’ hiring needs was stressful, to say the least.
When Sara was hired, I was relieved—finally, someone to help take things off my plate. But if I’m being honest, stepping back and trusting someone else with tasks I’d grown used to owning wasn’t as easy as I thought.
Sara was eager to learn, adapt to our processes and proactive in her approach. What surprised me most was how seamlessly she fit into our team. Her energy and fresh perspective were exactly what we needed, and she showed me that collaboration isn’t just about dividing work, it’s about creating space for others to bring new ideas and strengths to the table.
Having a robust and synchronized team has also made a world of difference for Riaz Sidi, Founder and President of Sidi.io. He shared how his team rallied during a challenging time in his personal life:
It was my team’s rallying spirit that kept us afloat. They showed up, leaned in, and adapted alongside me, even when I couldn’t be as present. Their resilience and support fueled a turnaround… That experience reminded me that real leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about creating an environment where people feel valued, want to give their best, and grow together.
— Riaz Sidi, President
Riaz’s story reminded me of what I experienced with Sara—how a strong team doesn’t just carry the load; it can inspire resilience, creativity, and growth, even in tough moments.
As Fady Khudair, Realtor and Founder of the podcast Kanata on the Rocks, put it so well:
Collaboration is at the heart of how I do business… I love the phrase ‘one hand can’t clap alone’ because it really speaks to how working together can lead to everyone winning.
— Fady Khudair, Founder & Realtor
Working in a team is just that. Trusting someone lightens your own load and opens opportunities for everyone to grow, me included.
Growing Your Circle
“Building a strong network of people you trust” was a piece of advice that came up over and over again when we asked participants for their tips for emerging leaders. But let’s be real: it’s easier said than done.
As part of the marketing team in a recruitment agency, I’m not exactly proud to say that I’m still very much a novice at the whole “networking” thing. As an introvert who graduated at the height of the pandemic, the extent of my work experience at the time was entirely remote. My first experiences with networking involved spending hours working myself up to even head out the door, then trailing after Jesika, smiling, nodding, and catching snippets of conversation drowned out by the buzz of the room.
Being vulnerable with my inexperience helped. I welcomed advice from more seasoned extroverts. Our Leaders in Business series has been a goldmine of networking wisdom—for people like me who are still figuring it out.
One of my favourite pieces of advice came from Fady Khudair:
Networking should start with being your authentic self and finding environments where you feel comfortable and engaged… I also go in with a mindset of curiosity, aiming to learn as much as I can about the people I meet, rather than promoting myself right away.
— Fady Khudair, Founder & Realtor
Being authentic sounds great in theory —until I’m standing in a room full of strangers, mentally running out of follow-up questions. More often than not, conversations fizzle before they even have the chance to go anywhere.
That was until Michel Nungisa’s advice clicked with me.
At a networking event, my goal is to break the ice and find common ground with others. It’s about finding a point of connection—whether it’s sports, arts, or another shared interest.
— Michel Nungisa, Lead Counsel & Bilingual Workplace Investigator
Michel’s perspective felt like the missing puzzle piece. It was as if I had been waiting for someone to give me permission to talk about my personal life, like a kid asking if they could colour outside the lines. For the longest time, I thought networking events were strictly for discussing jobs, work, and all things professional.
By leaning into shared interests and authentic curiosity, networking has slowly become less of a chore and more of an opportunity to build real connections. It’s not about mastering the perfect pitch or impressing someone with a big title; it’s about finding those moments of human connection that stick with you long after the event is over.
But my work doesn’t just end at making an appearance at an event. Building meaningful connections extends far beyond the initial handshake. As Martin Chénier, President of the Procurement Aliance of Canada (PAC) shared in his feature:
I think building a community goes beyond the act of showing up — it’s about what you contribute and how you maintain your relationship in the long term. Your active contribution and engagement will go a long way to build connections.
— Martin Chénier, President
And that’s so true, yet a hard pill to swallow for someone like me who originally viewed as networking as something to “get over with”. I still have a ways to go!
Dr. Anmar Salman shared that same sentiment; understanding people’s stories—where they come from and why they do what they do—is what fosters authentic relationships.
For someone like me, who’s still finding their footing, that mindset makes all the difference.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve made it this far. Thank you for taking the time to read mine and my team’s experiences. Over 3,000 words of it.
In retrospect, sitting down to write this blog has been as much in self-reflection as it has been a celebration of the Leaders in Business series in this past year. The conversations with these nine Ottawa leaders have left a deeper impression on me than I initially realized. I often think about their advice and stories, and their wisdom has somehow woven its way into how I approach challenges, chase my passions, and reflect on my journey.
I hope these insights have sparked something in you, too, whether it’s a fresh perspective, encouragement that you’re on the right path, or simply a moment of “wow, I’m not alone in this.”
If you know someone: a mentor, a colleague or a friend who deserves a platform to share their insight or advice, nominate them here. It might be them that’s featured here next!
Here’s to another year of celebrating and learning from our remarkable community leaders!