Women of Inspiration 2024

To mark Women’s History Month, we asked every team member to share a message recognizing a Woman of Inspiration. There were five women who stood out with the most messages. They come from different backgrounds, different areas of the country and different parts of the business – but they all share a humility about being recognized as inspiring and a commitment to doing what they love and sharing that energy with those around them.

You have been recognized by your colleagues as a Woman of Inspiration. Why is that such an important milestone in your career journey so far?
“I wasn’t expecting it, but it touches me deeply. Being recognized by peers is the ultimate recognition. This honour acknowledges my journey and validates the work I’ve done to get where I am. When I started at First National, I was hired as an AMU. I was so focused on proving myself as capable and responsible and showing people I was in it for the long run. With every promotion I received, I had to find the balance between the fear and self-doubt that would creep up and excitement of realizing goals and advancing my career. Being scared is normal. When I embraced that and opted to trust myself, I felt more confident taking those leaps forward.”
Nancy Baptista, Manager and Team Lead, Residential Underwriting, Quebec 

As a woman, what is it like to work at First National and what or who inspires you? 
“Commercial real estate remains largely male dominated, but things are changing. A recent Globe and Mail report, Empowering Women for Innovation and Business Success, suggests that companies become more successful when they empower women and provide equal opportunities for them to grow in their careers. It is inspiring to see the opportunities available to women in Commercial. With support and development programs, these women are thriving and are on the path to reaching their full potential. With more female representation in key roles, we will be able to attract more young, motivated and talented women at First National who are determined to contribute to and define our success.”
Veronique Clermont, Assistant Vice President, Commercial Funding, Ontario

How do you hope to inspire others both at work and in your life?
“Every day, I’m excited to see what’s coming across my desk and figure out how I can share knowledge to help my team. For me, being your authentic self and leading by example are inspiring. I love what I do and I try to be a positive influence. So many of my team members have been with us since the inception of our division. I have seen such an astounding amount of growth and maturity as they’ve progressed in their careers. It’s an amazing thing to witness and fills me with great pride. We’ve set a high bar, but I always encourage everyone on my team to do their best and collaborate with each other. We are always stronger together.” 
Xue Lee, Assistant Vice President, Third Party Underwriting, British Columbia

#InspireInclusion is the theme for International Women’s Day 2024. How have you both experienced and promoted inclusion for women?
“I am part of the team that hires funders, AMUs and underwriters. We treat all applicants equally. If you deserve the position, you get the position. All four managers in our office are female, which shows young women that First National promotes women into leadership. It is amazing to work in a community of women leaders. The four of us work so well together and are each other’s sounding boards. And we all have amazing relationships with our Director, Doug Farmer.”
Nicole White, Manager and Team Lead, Residential Underwriting, Alberta

Why is women’s inclusion – specifically celebrating the diversity and empowerment of women – so important?
International Women’s Day is a great celebration but also a reminder that we still have a long way to go to make things equal. In Canada, we have made great strides and we are moving in the right direction. But in Africa, where I’m from, there is still a lot of work to be done. Young girls are still being raised with antiquated ideas about their destiny as wives and mothers. They need education and the encouragement to know they are worthy of doing the same things men do. My mother was born in the 1930’s, but she was ahead of her time. She stressed the importance of education and encouraged me to have a career and decide if I wanted to be a wife and a mother.  I learned from a young age that as women, we can do whatever we want if we put our minds to it. I learned to be resilient and do what feels right. It’s important to be yourself, trust yourself and be kind.”
Claudio Yombo, Manager and Team Lead, Residential Underwriting, Quebec