Top row (left to right): Brianna McGirr, Le Germain Hotels; Christen N. James, Culinary Adventure Co.; Nazy Kozyrieva, Little Canada.
Bottom row (left to right): Kiersten Galloway, MCC Destination Management; Kelly Dundas, Art Gallery of Ontario.
Brianna McGirr, Le Germain Hotels
Her work: Sales and Events Co-ordinator, One Year
How she found it: McGirr had worked in restaurants for eleven years but craved work-life balance. When she admitted to a friend that one of her favourite things was hosting dinner parties, they suggested the possibility of a Sales and Events role. Serendipity followed: A regular customer at the restaurant noted her passion and suggested she apply for a position at Le Germain.
What Surprised Her: How much being in a place where she can take care of her own emotions makes her a better employee
A conversation with her boss reminded her that she can’t control the external pressures, but she can figure out how to not let it derail her. “Part of my job is being able to manage that chaos,” she says. “Being able to also manage what my internal environment looks like is something that I wasn't anticipating was going to be so important.”
“I'm surrounded by people that push and people that say, “This is good. But what else?” That's how I'm going to grow.”
What support looks like:
While McGirr is on a women-led team and in an incredibly open and supportive company, she says she’s come to better understand that feedback isn’t criticism. “I'm surrounded by people that push and people that say, “This is good. But what else?” That's how I'm going to grow.”
Her Advice: Remember that your job is only one part of what makes you you.
“My work is something that feeds me in a way that's so positive and beautiful, but it's also not my life. I have this incredible job where I get to make other people feel special, but I also need to be making the people in my life feel special and feeding my own life. Otherwise, it's not worth it.”
Christen N. James, Culinary Adventure Co. 
Her Work: Culinary Guide + Community Lead, Two years
How she found it: “I’m a foodie who loves my city, and I also have a background as a Certified Life Skills Coach trained to facilitate groups. This opportunity with Culinary Adventure Co. is a great way to earn extra income by marrying my skills and passion.”
What surprised her: The detail-oriented nature of the work.
“The amount of “moving parts” involved in planning, executing and maintaining the perfect attraction or activity [surprised me]. I have a whole new appreciation for the work that goes into literally anything this city has to offer. It also seems like the smaller the detail or feature, the more time and care it takes.”
“Your vision can become a part of your legacy, so share your ideas boldly,” says James. “No matter how many are already in your sector, there’s room at the top…Keep showing up!”
What support looks like: Leaders would do well to remember that they were once new to the industry and that with time, space and opportunity junior recruits can also grow and succeed, says James. She credits Kevin Durkee, Owner and Big Cheese of Culinary Adventure Co, for creating a safe space where she can share ideas and insights. “They are appreciated, considered and most times even incorporated into our marketing and development,” she says adding, “it has also been crucial to be vulnerable and share a fear or concern without feeling judged.”
Her advice: Speak up.
“Your vision can become a part of your legacy, so share your ideas boldly,” says James. “No matter how many are already in your sector, there’s room at the top…Keep showing up!” She also believes it’s essential to not only create a space specifically for women-owned and operated businesses but also provide training and seminars that will empower them and add value to their business growth. This way their voice isn’t always drowned out in a bigger space, and they have a chance to build their confidence and show up without hesitation consistently.
Nazy Kozyrieva, Little Canada
Her work: Guest Experience Specialist, 1.5 years
How she found it: Kozyrieva moved to Canada three years ago from Ukraine and worked in jobs around the city before applying for a role at Little Canada. “Little Canada is an unexpected gift and a blessing in my life. I love working with people, and I always felt that an office nine-to-five job was just not something that I was made for.”
“Working in tourism back home was not necessarily the safest job, so seeing how many women work with me at Little Canada was very inspiring.”
What Surprised her: The training.
“I was very pleasantly surprised and happy that the companies that I've worked with here in Canada actually take on that responsibility,” she says. “Coming from a country where people are very hard working, but also employees and employees’ rights (whether it's men or women) are very overlooked, it was very surprising to me.” The sheer number of women who work in the industry also impressed her. “Working in tourism back home was not necessarily the safest job, so seeing how many women work with me at Little Canada was very inspiring.”
What support looks like: Recognition of skill sets.
“We don't necessarily want or need special treatment, but we do benefit from being seen as long-term professionals,” says Kozyrieva. She originally applied for an entry-level position but Nadwa Nimer, People, Culture and Wellness Director, saw her skillset and suggested she apply for a higher-level position. At her interview, she says, Nimer, Lyndon File, senior director of Guest Experiences, and Shauna Dunlop, People, Culture and Wellness Senior Specialist, made it clear that they had confidence in her abilities. “The fact that I was recognized so early on, was quite literally life changing.”
Her Advice: Exit immediately if you aren’t a people person.
“If you don't like people, don't do it,” she says. “I truly believe that people can be happier if they let themselves do what they love. Working in tourism, if you don't like people, is going to make you miserable.”
Kiersten Galloway, MCC Destination Management
Her work: Marketing and Event coordinator, 10 months
How she found it: Galloway attended Toronto Metropolitan University and studied marketing. A creative person by nature, she was drawn to the role which splits her time between marketing and events.
“I've actually been really fortunate that this is the company I work for, just because they really push for support and collaboration.”
What surprised her: The fast-paced environment.
“That has been my biggest shock. Every new client, every new event that I've worked on, it's always been different. There's no such thing as a copy and paste approach. But I think that's the exciting part.”
In her short time in the role, she has already run two events on her own, she says, “but I've had support along the way from my team, and I have helped support others, either on site or just from the back end, while they plan their events as well."
What support looks like: “There's 13 of us, and it's an amazing team,” says Galloway of the all-women company. “I've actually been really fortunate that this is the company I work for, just because they really push for support and collaboration.” That support isn’t just top down; it happens among colleagues as well. When she started, being able to lean on Rachel Hennessey, another junior who had been on staff a little longer, helped.
“In the first few months when I started, I was calling her sometimes, a few days a week,” she laughs. “And she was really good at saying, “this is normal” or “this is when you need to be adaptable.” I think having that, especially from another younger woman who was new to the industry really helped me feel more comfortable.”
Her advice: Be flexible.
Given the deadline-oriented nature of the role, it can be stressful when things don’t go exactly as planned or a client changes something at the last minute, but trusting in your team and yourself is always the right move, says Galloway. “It is about building your own confidence.”
Kelly Dundas, Art Gallery of Ontario
Her Work: Coordinator, Group Operations and Sales, 2.5 years
How she found it: “I studied arts management and spent some time in front-facing roles in arts and culture to really understand how the sector works. While it wasn’t exactly what I went to school for, I saw this opportunity as a way to try something new, diversify my skills, and get real-world experience. It felt like a chance to grow in ways that would help me long-term and also let me contribute meaningfully to the organization and people I work with.”
What’s surprised her: The industry’s collaborative nature.
“I thought people would mostly keep to themselves, but everyone I’ve worked with has been willing to share what they know, support and help each other out, and figure things out together. That kind of openness, especially when things are busy and changing quickly, has been really encouraging.”
Things don’t always go perfectly, but every experience has been a learning moment. I’m constantly learning from the people around me, and that guidance and trust has helped me grow, build confidence, and develop my skills.
What support looks like:
Dundas includes colleagues who’ve been in her role among her at-work support system. “Things don’t always go perfectly, but every experience has been a learning moment. I’m constantly learning from the people around me, and that guidance and trust has helped me grow, build confidence, and develop my skills.” She adds, “Leaders can create space by listening, including emerging professionals in conversations where decisions are being made, and guiding them as they learn. It’s not just about mentorship, it’s about giving people room to try things, take risks, and contribute in ways that matter. That kind of support really helps people grow.”
Her Advice: Stay curious.
Dundas encourages junior staff to say yes to opportunities even if they don’t feel completely ready, and to focus on building strong relationships. “Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned, and the experiences that helped me grow, came from saying yes and connecting with the people around me. Relationship building really matters, and taking on new opportunities, even when it feels a bit scary, is how you learn, grow, and find your place in the industry.”
