IPAC Toronto: Can you tell us a bit about your background, how you got started in your career, and what inspired you to pursue a career in public administration?

Trisha: My professional background is in Human Resources, I specialized in Marketing and worked in public and private sector HR throughout university. I didn’t originally anticipate a career in public service, not knowing anyone who had worked in government, but my first co-op with York Region really opened my eyes to the world of public sector opportunity. I appreciated the commitment to people centered outcomes rather than profit-driven ones and found alignment between the public sectors values and my own. I joined the Ontario Public Service as an Ontario Internship Program (OIP) Intern, where I jumped straight into strategic talent management. Since then, I’ve explored HR and corporate services through different roles and am most recently stepping into positions of people leadership.  

IPAC Toronto: As a recipient of the Emerging New Professional Award, what does this mean to you personally and professionally?

Trisha: I am immensely grateful to have been publicly recognized by IPAC; the award signifies a milestone in my career. On a personal level, it serves as a reminder for the importance of advocating for yourself. On a professional level, it has been a catalyst for growth and connection with the public service community, allowing me to build credibility, reach new networks and reinforce my personal brand

IPAC Toronto: How do you think this recognition impacted your career moving forward?

Trisha: This recognition has helped me solidify my brand as an emerging leader and dedicated public servant. Having a line about the IPAC recognition I’ve received on my resume is a great conversation starter and IPAC is a name the public service community knows and trusts. The recognition was also shared with my senior leaders within my organization and so I benefitted from increased visibility in that way as well. 

IPAC Toronto: How has your work positively impacted the community you serve? Are there any stories or examples that highlight this impact?

Trisha: Through my work I’ve been able to directly impact and speak with thousands of OPSers. One of the examples near and dear to me has been the performance planning training I’ve led within the ministry. Over the last few years, I’ve been able to provide training on performance planning and talent management to both staff and leaders, ranging from groups of 20-500. In the sessions I’ve delivered, I’ve received feedback that truly validates all the work it takes to deliver the sessions. I took specific measures to ensure that the learning was available across a variety of session dates and times, separating content by employee group, recording presentations, conducting live demos, and answering questions in real time. Whereas some would find the coordination and facilitation of such responsive sessions to be a hurdle, I knew that they were necessary in maximizing their impact and reach. 

IPAC Toronto: What advice would you give to other emerging professionals in public administration?

Trisha: I would tell other emerging professionals to get familiar with their organizations HR department, regardless of what type of role they work in. There are so many resources that are available to all employees that people aren’t aware of, that could be pivotal in helping them show up as their best selves at work. Whether it be understanding the mental health and wellness offerings available to you, the company’s definition of leadership to speak about at your next interview, or as seemingly simple as reviewing the compensation policies to understand what increases you’re eligible for – having a foundational understanding of HR policies, processes and practices will ensure you have all the information you need to reach your professional objectives.