Changes

[[File:Me and Snowy Owl - Tracy Lynn Stretch.jpg|alt=|left|frameless|450x450px]]

[[File:Me and Snowy Owl - Tracy Lynn Stretch.jpg|alt=|left|frameless|450x450px]]

== '''Adriana's Layers''' ==

== '''Tracy's Layers''' ==

=== [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-m-76842454/ Linked in] ===

=== [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tstretch/ Linked in] ===

I am a brown mid-size (AKA curvy) woman, the eldest daughter of 3, I am the mother of 1 kind boy and 1 sharp girl. I am a loved and loving wife of a great partner. I am a friend to some but approachable to all. I am a proud public servant. I am Mexican-Canadian married to a Cuban. I can speak 4 languages yet I have always encountered resistance to “fit in”.

<big>I am women. My pronouns are she/her. I'm a daughter, sister, aunt, friend and ally. I'm a country-girl living in a city. I'm a proud Disney ex-Cast Member and a 2-time National Bronze Medalist in the sport of boxing. Although I carry childhood trauma and adult anxiety, I feel I come from a place of privilege and an open heart for learning.</big>

== '''What motivated you to join the Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles program?''' ==

== '''What motivated you to join the Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles program?''' ==

I work hard to be the best version of myself every day. I find advancement in the PS very difficult especially for immigrants, to lengthy for any PS and I wanted to take advantage of any opportunity available to progress. I find that communities are a great place to feel valuable, and listened to, they are a place to help each other out, promote others, and leverage everyone’s strengths to collective knowledge.

<big>Network! Get a picture of who other departments and Public Service are learning and working under the Diversity and Inclusion umbrella. Discover ideas to take back to my department and meet subject matter experts to and "[[Ask Me Anything: Courageous Conversation on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion|Ask Me Anything]]" panelists for events.</big>

=='''Describe the impact you aim to make within your role through this program.'''==

=='''How do you envision your participation contributing to your professional growth?'''==

I am blessed to say that whatever I had in mind as expectation was surpassed. I inspired someone enough to request me to mentor them. I sparked someone’s interest to challenge my beliefs and contribute to an environment where they can express at ease their disagreement. I learned week after week from my peers and each session provided value. I still have to build a community of practice of my own.

<big>Participation in LLMC has provided me with the strength and courage to be a voice and a leader not just at work, but in my community.</big>

 

== '''What specific goals or aspirations do you hope to achieve through this experience?''' ==

<big>I hope to pass along my courage to speak up when others may not be able to do it for themselves. I have the power in "take them with you", meaning when the opportunity to introduce colleagues to senior management, or take them to meetings with me–do it! There is power in numbers. I am a leader. I can make change.</big>

 

== '''Can you share a specific challenge or opportunity that led you to seek mentorship with the public service?''' ==

<big>Coming off/out of the pandemic, I was feeling lonely after working from home, alone, and was needing to meet new people. Also, I was starting to feel stagnate in my role and was looking for a "cool" off the side of my desk opportunity. LLMC was a perfect fit!</big>

 

== '''What has most inspired you in this journey of your professional development?''' ==

<big>To continue a "take me with them" attitude. Knowledge is power! Keep learning and sharing. You are not alone.</big>

 

== '''What unique strengths or perspectives do you bring to your circles that can benefit others?''' ==

<big>Leadership, motivation, comfort and a positive attitude.</big>

 

<big>Having the opportunity to lead my Circle gave me the confidence to lead at work and in my community. Everyone can be leader. You can lead at all levels.</big>

 

== '''How can you apply what you learned from the Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles program to the workplace?''' ==

<big>Knowledge share! Make sure everyone in the room has the opportunity to speak, share their story and/or knowledge. We have a lot to learn from each other. Our experiences in our communities outside of the Public Service can bring real value and insight to the workplace.</big>

 

== '''Has your view of leadership - and who can be a leader - changed?''' ==

<big>Everyone can be leader. You can lead at all levels.</big>

== '''Do you view your public service career differently after participating in the Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles program?''' ==

== '''Do you view your public service career differently after participating in the Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles program?''' ==

Yes, serving Canadians is a priority to me but much like helping myself before being capable of helping others, I feel serving my colleagues is necessary before serving the rest of the population.

<big>Yes. I was feeling stagnate in my role, Lifting as you Lead gave me a boost of confidence that I can make a difference and lead, even as a project officer. I also got a small introduction to other departments in the Public Service and made connections I know I can use at another time.</big>

== '''What is the one message you would like to leave us with today?''' ==

== '''What is the one message you would like to leave us with today?''' ==

Leadership is a beautiful challenge, a rich experience with ups and downs, with good days and bad days but when success is achieved by any of us, we all win, and it gets multiplied. When one of us struggles, the burden gets divided.

<big>Thank you! Thank you for creating this program and opening it to everyone. My department has mentoring programs, but no one that fit for me. Thank you for believing my abilities and making my voice heard. The talent and time of the Diversity and Inclusion Office, Materiel Group, National Defence does not go unnoticed.</big>