Faces of WEST
Nadine Manroe-Wakerell
President of the Board at WEST
“Stay positive – don’t lose your confidence and seek out other people that you aspire to be like and learn from them. I am grateful for all the women in my life (past and present) that play a role in leading by example. I would not be the woman I am today without them.”
- Tell us about yourself. Career? Passion? Favourite book or tv show? Pets? Hobbies?
I am a wife, mother, active community member, health care leader, and currently the President of Board at WEST. I have a passion for wanting to help people to reach their full potential (mind, body and spirit).I get a kick of memes – I’ll seriously laugh for 30 minutes straight by myself (much to my families concern). I have a golden retriever who follows me everywhere. For fun I love to walk, sing, and hangout with family and friends. I also like card games even though I always lose. - What does WEST mean to you?
WEST means that there is a place that women who are driven to succeed and want to live out their potential but have been disadvantaged for whatever reason have a place to go and get training, develop meaningful relationships, get mentored and get real life job experience to support their dreams and build their confidence. - What advice do you have for women striving to achieve their dreams?
My advice would be: stay positive – don’t lose your confidence and seek out other people that you aspire to be like and learn from them. - Can you share a memorable moment or achievement during your time at WEST that has been meaningful to you?
One of my most memorable moments at WEST were the times I had the pleasure of spending time with graduates of the Skilled Trades and LEAD programs. To hear about the impact the training had on them and their families were transformational moments, not only for them, but for me as well. It’s been in those moments that the tangible impact of us helping and empowering one another is felt and seen. I could see the women and their families filled with hope for the future. You never forget those moments. Those moments forever shape and motivate me to serve others the best way I can. It reminds me that it so important to ‘Lift others as we Rise’. - Is there any woman that has inspired you or continues to inspires you?
There are so many women that inspire me every day. There are women that inspire me spiritually, as they act with virtue, love, encouragement and generosity. There are women that inspire me professionally, as they share the gifts and talents they have to create action and do so with tenacity and effectiveness, and there are women that inspire me on an emotional level as they walk through and overcome tremendous adversities with such strong spirits, even when it appears hope may be lost. I am grateful for all the women in my life (past and present) that play a role in leading by example. I would not be the woman I am today without them.
