Josée Lévesque: A commitment to customers and celebration

JL: First National is a great place to work. There are so many opportunities to grow within the company. There are also so many opportunities to socialize and celebrate. I am very involved in organizing the social events for the Montreal office. There is a lot of diversity in our office and across the company, and we celebrate that whenever we get the chance. First National values its people as people, acknowledges all cultures and promotes inclusivity. 

JL: I started my career in Customer Service, but after a while, I wanted to experience the sales side of the business and see the other side of the mortgage. I liked sales but I really missed helping customers. I went back to Customer Service and advanced from Assistant Supervisor to Supervisor to Assistant Manager. In Customer Service, new things come up every day. You see everything and develop deep knowledge of every aspect of the mortgage. There is always something that keeps you on your toes. 

JL: Organizing the social events in the Montreal office is a highlight for me. Bringing everyone together to celebrate builds rapport and makes people feel welcome. It’s especially important for the new hires. Celebrating the diversity in the Montreal office is really meaningful to me because it impacts people in ways you couldn’t have even imagined. For example, at one of our Black History Month celebrations, we had a band play. For some of our employees, it reminded them of home. For others, it was the first time they were hearing that style of music. Even though it’s a common experience, everyone is taking something unique away from it. 

JL: The job was stressful at the beginning. It took me six months or so to find my place. I credit my managers. Luc Melanson was my supervisor at my previous job, so that familiarity helped. But the culture here encourages curiosity. I never feel afraid or shy to ask questions and now I make sure to create that same environment for everyone joining our team.

JL: Ask a lot of questions. Let people know you want to learn and grow. And when given the chance, don’t be afraid to step up. When I started, I never thought I would become an Assistant Manager. But everything fell into place, and I wouldn’t change a thing.