Emilie Chiasson
Director, Atlantic - Ovarian Cancer Canada
The Lady Ball / Ovarian Cancer Canada / Facebook
Emilie is the Regional Director of Ovarian Cancer Canada, Atlantic Region. Her work focuses on helping Canadian women live fuller, better and longer lives. She also writes a weekly column for Saltwire Network. She has an insatiable love for human behaviour and circumstance, Emilie absorbs the world around her, and turns her experiences into relatable stories with nuggets of wisdom woven into them. Her core focus in life is creating connections and memories with her family, friends and community through food, dogs, travel, volunteerism, creativity and conversation.
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What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?
I am most proud of the impact and outcomes I've had in my region. When I started this job 9 years ago there was little to no profile of our organization - no one knew about us or the disease itself for that matter. I moved from working for large corporations to not-for-profit for this role - I came into it with the corporate attitude of do it now! Get it done! What a change! I had to start from scratch trying to get the attention of stakeholders: survivors, politicians, doctors, donors, influencers, companies, media. I had to come up with creative tactics to turn the heads of decision makers, donors, media. etc. Fast forward 9 years. The provincial government just gave Ovarian Cancer Canada $1 million! The first province in the country to do it. I started The Lady Ball in Halifax and it is now in 5 locations across Canada. The Lady Ball Halifax won Event of the Year in Atlantic Canada. The Federal Government gave Ovarian Cancer Canada $10 million in funding for the first time ever! In a challenging time for not-for-profits, our organization continues to grow and hopefully our efforts will save women's lives in the future. I am proud to say that my efforts have influenced this as I am the only employee in this region. I am proud to work for an organization that truly cares about its people and those who we are dedicated to helping. We are a caring and highly productive organization.
What’s your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?
In terms of my work - I hope that women will be able to go to their doctor for a screening test for ovarian cancer and women will not die from this disease as they do today. In terms of life in general. Think BIG! There is SO MUCH happening here now. Let's be leaders, not followers. I have traveled a lot. No matter where I go, what I see and what I do - I always think about how amazing Nova Scotia is. Every time I go to Newfoundland for work - I love it more. Every time I go to PEI for work - I love it more! Anything is possible. We need to believe we are as good as anywhere else in the world and build on that belief.
What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?
NOW!! It took 9 years of solid grinding with NO resources. I wouldn't call it a shift - I would say it is through perseverance, resilience and consistency. Nothing happens overnight. Social media has caused our society to think we can become an 'influencer' overnight by taking fake photos and getting likes. If you really want to make change it is about relationship building, trust and communication.
What’s your favourite or most read book or podcast? Now or at each of your greatest stages of growth?
Oh I love Oprah, Brene Brown and Esther Perel. I am a BIG believer in self betterment - I don't focus as much on business related information. I focus a lot on learning about communication, relationships, authenticity. If you are struggling emotionally or with your personal relationships - you cannot be an authentic leader. I am all about the whole person. My favourite authors/books: Malcolm Gladwell, Michelle Obama Becoming, Brene Brown... I could go on and on.
I walk a lot - I always listen to podcasts when I'm walking and when I'm working. I'm always consuming useful information which puts me in a positive state of mind.
What’s your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?
The Federal Government gave $10 million to our organization last February - it bolstered my belief that we can all have HUGE IMPACT if we are passionate and consistent. The only reason why we received that money was because our small organization motivated and mobilized everyday Canadians to speak up!!
Who’s inspired you, directly or indirectly? How have they inspired you?
I admire people I know - not celebrities. My parents. My Mom always did her work with great professionalism and empathy. She was very involved in her community, is very kind and never spoke poorly of herself in front of me. She started a garden at the hospital she worked at because patients had nowhere to go and sit outside. She started it with no help. Digging, lugging, watering on her lunch hours and asking for donations. She eventually got sponsors, grants, and was able to hire a student to take care of it in the summer. The garden won top prize for community betterment in Canada! I was never told I couldn't do something because I was a girl. My Dad taught us to be curious, modest and to ask questions, ask questions, ask questions! My parents have lots of hobbies and interests - being dynamic is important! They led by example - not by words. As Mother Theresa said 'If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.'
What would you have done differently?
I always struggle with that question. I can't change it, so I don't focus on it. One thing I think we should change in terms of education/messaging to future leaders. I took Business in university. At that time the idea of being a not-for-profit leader was very separate from business. As if, having a heart meant you had to be soft and community minded, not business skilled. I have used every business related skill I was taught and the skills I used in my corporate days: marketing, sales (rather than a product it is a cause), management, finance, operations, communications, project management, and so on.
What are the principles you live by?
Authenticity. I am the exact same person professionally as I am at as I am personally. There is no fake or put on version of me. Being comfortable in my own skin has been a great gift!
I believe that all people deserve respect - not based on your economics, ethnicity, gender, age or politics. A basic human need is being seen and I try to do that for anyone who I encounter in the run of my day. As Mohammad Ali said “I don’t trust anyone who’s nice to me but rude to the waiter. Because they would treat me the same way if I were in that position.”
Empathy. I believe that most people are also just trying to their best. This causes me to be less critical and judgemental towards others.
Anything is possible. We are only limited by our own thoughts and beliefs! Life isn't about what happens to you - its about how you respond to what happens to you!
Whatever you are - be a good one!
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Fundraiser, Storyteller, Connector, Influencer, Dog Lover