First and foremost, POWER wants to thank Corinne for participating in our Women in Leadership Spotlight. It was clear after speaking with Corinne that her love for her family, her drive for value and her passion for people is what makes her a great leader.
With 18 years of experience in the electrical industry, Corinne's journey is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to professional development.
Q: Tell me about yourself….
A: I hold a special place in my family’s history as the first Canadian-born member. After my Mother immigrated from England and my Father from Scotland they laid roots in Canada. While my upbringing was primarily in Ontario, with formative years spent in Scarborough, I briefly called Vancouver Island home before moving back to Ontario, residing in Whitby for the last 19 years.
Family is central to my life. I am a proud Mother of three and a grandmother to three as well. When not at work, I enjoy travelling, spending time with family and friends, and being on the sidelines of my youngest son’s Junior C Lacrosse games.
Q: What’s your professional background?
A: My professional journey began in the family restaurant, where I honed my procurement skills before venturing into the corporate world. My first significant role was in purchasing for a prominent food manufacturer. Later, I transitioned to a swing stage manufacturer, where my expertise flourished.
An unexpected opportunity arose when a trusted electrical supplier recognized my potential and offered me a position in sales. Despite initial reservations about my suitability for the role, I embraced the challenge, ultimately finding my niche in sales.
Seeking opportunities for advancement, I faced obstacles due to the scarcity of women in sales and management roles. Undeterred, I persevered, eventually ascending into a managerial position. My desire for growth led me to embark on a new chapter at SESCO seven years ago.
Q: What initially sparked your interest in Management/Sales? Was there a specific experience or event that influenced your career path?
A: My daily motivation stems from my passion for people, my craving for challenges, and my commitment to solution-oriented selling. I value my role for the opportunity it provides to engage with every department within the company. Despite the multifaceted demands of being a Branch Manager, I embrace the diversity of my responsibilities; viewing each day as an exciting opportunity rather than an overwhelming challenge.
Q: Can you share an experience where your passion for the electrical industry extended beyond your professional life? For instance, involvement in community electric initiatives or projects outside of work.
A: (Laughing) I admit that my product knowledge tends to infiltrate my everyday experiences. Whether I’m visiting friends or out and about, I can't help but notice opportunities for upgrades or replacements with newer options.
Q: As a leader in the company, what values or principles guide your leadership style? How do you strive to create a positive and productive work environment within your team?
A: I try to lead by example. I hold myself to a very high standard and I base my leadership style on being an active listener. When my team approaches me with a problem, they know to also bring some ideas for a potential solution as well. We spend a lot of time with the people we work with and having fun together is very important. My team has the perfect balance of getting things done but enjoying the moments in between.
Q: Tell me a little bit about your most memorable project, the one you would say you are most proud of.
A: I take immense pride in my contribution to a project with a renowned Children’s Hospital in Toronto. My involvement focused on enhancing the lighting design, which significantly elevated the project's overall outcome. Additionally, I had the opportunity to engage in community events surrounding the project's unveiling, an experience I found deeply fulfilling on a personal level.
Q: Lastly, give us a fun fact about you!
A: There was a pivotal moment in my life when a snowstorm changed the trajectory of my career. I spent my youth aspiring to be a police officer, however on the day I was set to write the exam to join the Peel police force, there was a major snowstorm. I wasn’t able to write the exam and never got around to rescheduling it. An important event, which defined so much of my future, amazingly the result of a bad Canadian winter day!