The WISE (WORKING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT) team is a group of dedicated, diverse and dynamic professionals committed to serving employers and jobseekers to create and support diverse and inclusive workplaces which will further lead to building healthy, beautiful and flourishing communities!
WISE supports and empowers jobseekers to discover their potential, passions and unique skills.
WISE helps in connecting employers to a huge and diverse, but untapped labour pool.
‘Diversity is being invited to the party, Inclusion is being asked to dance!’
This quote by VERNA MYERS is exactly what my job is all about! I have always been passionate about working with people and leading impactful change.
The belief that inclusion is not just a fact but action encouraged me to obtain a Masters’ degree in Social Work and pursue my passion. Working in the position of Director of Employment & Innovative Services at UNITI drives me and my team to continuously work towards finding innovative and creative ways of empowering the people we support to live inclusive and full lives.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and experimenting in the kitchen. My happy place – reading a book with a hot piping cup of Mocha in a cozy waterfront cottage!
Before coming into this field, I had many years of experience in the financial sector and was an active member in various Chambers of Commerce and the Surrey Board of Trade.
My passion to advocate for persons with diverse abilities for equal opportunities has been deeply rooted in my work ethic and has been my philosophy of life. I feel very strongly that my business acumen, and understanding of how to be successful within a business context, allows me to be a business connection. I work together with businesses looking to diversify their workforce and the job seekers who are striving to enter the current job market.
I believe that partnerships, collaborations, creating awareness and constant creativity are a few of the key elements that are needed to pave the way to a better future.
“It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
As an Employment Specialist, I belong to the very exclusive club of people who actually love their job. With a Bachelors’ degree in English and a Career Development Practitioner certificate from SFU, I am currently working on a certificate in Digital Marketing and Social Media at BCIT to help expand the awareness of the phenomenal work happening in this field.
All my life, I have worked with people from various spheres of life, helping them to acknowledge their strengths, assisting them to be better versions of themselves, and realize that they are an important part of society with their contribution that is valuable. Every human being is like a diamond in the rough, waiting to be worked on and polished to shine through the light.
This explains my current role with WISE Employment Solutions as an Employment Specialist. My education and training as a Career Development Practitioner and HR professional empower and excite me to support individuals with diverse abilities to be economically included in their communities and also help employers in creating inclusive workplaces.
I strongly believe in an inclusive society that works off the strengths of people and continues to move forward by assisting and accommodating people from all fields of life with diverse abilities and strengths.
“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.”- Christopher Reeve
I’m Luisa, one of the Employment Specialists on the team. My background includes a Bachelor’s in Education, where I initially worked as a teacher. However, my passion for fostering inclusion, particularly within the non-profit sector, led me to transition my career focus. I have completed my Career Development Practitioner (CDP) Program at Douglas College, eager to empower individuals in their journey toward personal and professional fulfillment. I thrive on building connections, sharing laughter, and enjoying the sunny days. I look forward to inspiring and supporting people to become the best versions of themselves!
“What we know matters but who we are matters more…” – Brene Brown
My name is Bereket, and I’m WISE’s new Vocational Counsellor. I am a dedicated professional with a degree in Accounting and Management. I have worked in community-focused roles, including Community Connector and Community Support Worker. Building on this strong foundation in community engagement and client support, I transitioned into the role of Vocational Counsellor. In this role, I assist clients in identifying their career pathways. I am passionate about empowering people through guidance, training, advocacy, and practical support, helping them gain independence and lead fulfilling lives.