Faces of WEST
Sarah Regan
Libro Credit Union – Community Manager
“Believe in yourself, take advantage of opportunities to grow, and surround yourself by a community of women who will support you and encourage you along the way. Know that all goals are achievable with the right mindset and willingness to persevere through challenges. Aim to be fearless in the pursuit of your goals!”
- Tell us about yourself.
I am a Community Manager at Libro Credit Union where I am delighted to lead our Belle River team. At Libro, we help our Owners to attain financial wellbeing through meaningful financial coaching. We also strive to make a positive impact in the Belle River Community and Windsor-Essex as a whole. I’ve been in financial services for 13 years and have held positions as an advisor and in leadership. I have found my home at Libro where I feel we truly make a difference in the lives of our Owners and communities! My passion is in helping others and finding ways to make the world around me a better place. I am also passionate about mental health and how physical activity is an important factor in both this and overall wellbeing.My favourite books include pretty much anything written by Stephen King and one of my favourite TV shows is Survivor, in large part because I have fun watching it with my brother. I do not currently have any pets, though am hopeful to be a dog mom in the years ahead. I love to keep active with volleyball, swimming, rollerblading, and biking along with additional hobbies of reading, cooking, and doing puzzles (depending on the weather!). Fun facts are that I have seen a tornado and I am the oldest of 6 siblings. My favourite restaurant is a toss-up between India 47 and Smoke & Spice. I’m always open to trying new places! - What does WEST mean to you?
To me, WEST means empowering women with the skills and training to have a thriving successful career trajectory. It means driving equity by providing opportunities for growth. It means working together to build for a strong, more inclusive, and thereby more powerful society. - What motivated you to get involved with WEST?
I had heard of WEST prior to beginning my career at Libro. It was when I joined Libro that I learned more about this incredible organization and the valuable services provided in the Windsor-Essex community. I was motivated to get more involved when I learned of our close value alignment in empowering others in their employment and the importance of diversity & inclusion. I was further motivated after getting involved by the dedicated and exceptionally passionate individuals that comprise the WEST Team. I am a huge fan of the efforts of WEST in our community! - In your opinion, what sets WEST apart in its approach to supporting women in the community?
In my opinion, what sets WEST apart is its approach is the expansive nature of programming to support women in all fields. Another standout is the enthusiasm of the WEST team towards driving the organizational mission and purpose. - What advice do you have for women striving to achieve their dreams?
The advice I would give to women striving to achieve their dreams is to believe in yourself, take advantage of opportunities to grow, and surround yourself by a community of women who will support you and encourage you along the way. Know that all goals are achievable with the right mindset and willingness to persevere through challenges. A challenge is a teachable moment and it is through our challenges that we come out stronger, wiser, and more prepared for the next. Aim to be fearless in the pursuit of your goals! - Is there any woman that has inspired you or continues to inspire you?
There have been numerous women in my life who have inspired and continue to inspire me. The woman who has inspired me most over the past year has been my Libro leader and Windsor-Essex Regional Manager, Lori Atkinson. Lori leads with a delicate balance of mind and heart. She is highly passionate about being a force for good in our community and uses strong business leadership skills to be able to contribute to this at a high level. Lori is compassionate, thoughtful, and driven. She instills confidence in others through strong relationships that challenge with a foundation of trust. I have heard the expression that leaders must hold themselves to a higher standard and it is something that I personally believe. I see Lori do this on a daily basis and it is evident that she gives her all in her work at Libro. Lori inspires those around her to give their all, myself included, and doesn’t forget to have fun together along the way. I am extremely grateful to have the continuing opportunity to work with, learn from, and be inspired by Lori. - What empowers you?
I am empowered by being part of a community of women who continuously pursue their dreams and who support one another along the way. In my work at Libro, my community involvement, and my career as a whole, I have met so many exceptional women who have pushed through obstacles to achieve their dreams. Hearing others say ‘I can’ and ‘I have’ energizes me to say the same in my own pursuits. Learning from the shared experience of others is key for me and I take every opportunity for empowerment that I can. I would like to recognize WEST for putting on workshops that empower in this way, including the Pathways to Progress event this year, in which I was honoured to participate. In that workshop alone I heard numerous empowerment pieces from the speakers including how to overcome perceived gender barriers, tactics for deescalating critical situations, and finding ways to lead in any position. Learning through these experiences and formal education are both ways in which I empower myself to continue to grow. - Describe the collaboration between your organization and WEST. How does this partnership contribute to achieving shared goals and objectives?
Libro is a proud partner and supporter of WEST. Through our Libro Annual Grants process we have recognized our value alignment and are glad to be able to support and participate in ongoing WEST initiatives. Our objectives overlap in the realm of gainful employment and the important place this has in overall financial wellbeing. I have heard the phrase that your ability to earn an income is your greatest asset. Empowerment in employment combined with financial literacy is a great recipe for success in attaining overall financial wellbeing. It has been a true pleasure in working with WEST to make strides toward our shared goals this year! - Can you share an experience where understanding or embracing cultural diversity significantly impacted your work or personal life?
It is my firm belief that a collective purpose is enhanced and made better when all voices are heard and represented. The greatest unity and reach of our voice is achieved when that voice is comprised of diverse individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. Over the course of my career I have been gifted with the opportunity to work with a number of beautifully diverse teams of individuals. I have learned the importance of acknowledging and embracing differences in one another. I know that I can bring my best self to any situation when I feel comfortable in bringing my full authentic self with me. As such, I do my best to encourage others to bring their full selves with them each day and share this brightness with the world around them. As a leader, it is also important for me to take action when I see someone being treated in a manner that discourages this ability. I am proud to work at an organization where we highly value diversity, equity, and inclusion.
