We Are IH: Admin services manager’s staff give her confidence

When she was growing up, Marie joined the Girl Guides and was a Guide until she was 19. After high school, she travelled to London, England to work at a World Guiding Centre, which groups from around the world come to visit. “I always thought I’d get back into Girl guiding, but then I had two boys!” laughs Marie. 

Her oldest son Rory, who is seven, is in Beavers with Scouts Canada. Marie has now traded the blue Girl Guides uniform for the red Scout shirt! She is a Beaver leader and moves up to Cubs in the spring.   
At Interior Health, the administrative services manager says she’s a firm believer in treating people the way you want to be treated. “No one is going to want to help you with anything if you haven't been treating them with respect,” she asserts. “I strive to make work as pleasant as possible.”

One of her proudest moments at IH came when she was speaking to a friend she had recently met. “She had just gone for her COVID vaccine and was commenting on how well the immunization clinic was organized, and how well the space was laid out,” says Marie. “It was my team that had coordinated the vaccine clinic.”

Born in Surrey and raised in North Vancouver, Marie enjoys all that the Okanagan has to offer. “My favourite thing about living in the Okanagan is how laid back it is, and how there’s always something to do,” Marie explains. She likes to spend time with friends, swim at the beach, and relax with a glass of wine on her patio.

She has now been in Penticton for six years, and has no plans to leave. “I’m looking forward to seeing how IH grows,” says Marie. “There's so much opportunity with this organization.”

"Tannis took over my position when I was awarded Administrative Services Supervisor. Before she could start in the position, I went on maternity leave. She was left with my manual in the midst of COVID testing and immunization clinics. Not only did she manage to survive the demands put on her but she thrived. I came back to my new position very impressed!" - Marie Vajda

Have you thought about a career in administrative services at IH?

Explore career opportunities

Get more stories like this
Sign up to receive the Stories@IH email digest twice a week to your inbox.