We are IH: Recruitment advisor finds purpose in growing careers

Sahra was born and raised in the Okanagan, growing up on a honey farm in West Kelowna. She helped her parents with their beekeeping business, from harvesting honey to moving hives in and out of orchards in the community for pollination in the spring. She says the experience instilled a passion for buying local and supporting local farmers and producers, witnessing firsthand how that support benefits families.

After completing her bachelor of business administration with a major in HR, she began her tenure at IH, working in both the Benefits and Recruitment departments as a service partner until 2019. She then moved into an internal recruitment advisor role, which led to her current position as team lead in 2023.

“Each day is a bit different. A priority is coordinating and supporting my team in working through very high volumes of job postings, employee changes, emails, and other tasks. I work closely with my manager and other team leads to implement new and adjusted processes based on Collective Agreement changes, provincial directives, projects, and continuous improvement.”

Sahra’s day-to-day work involves assisting employees through their transitions within the organization and being able to ease some of their stress and uncertainty as they go through the process, which she says brings her meaning and purpose.

“I communicate regularly with my team, other HR team leads and managers, clinical managers, and employees to ensure that we are supporting our employees the best way we can while they move within the organization.”

One of her proudest accomplishments was working with many of the HR teams and Digital Health teams to implement the 2022-2025 Collective Agreement changes.

“Many of the changes significantly impacted not only the Recruitment teams, but our Benefits and Work Design teams. The knowledge I have gained throughout my time with IH helped to implement the changes and support our teams in adjusting to new and changing processes.”

For Sahra, Reconciliation means acknowledging and learning about Canada's history and the atrocities and injustices faced by the Indigenous community and being open and curious about Indigenous peoples’ perspective and narrative. Additionally, it means being an ally and promoting respectful, culturally appropriate workspaces and relationships.

Beyond the office, Sahra’s favourite activity is camping with friends and family. “Nature has always been a part of my identity,” recalls Sahra. “Growing up on a farm instilled a love of all things that grow. Camping and hiking with my family meant that the beautiful bush around the Okanagan was a place of peace, connection and joy.” Although, her job is at a desk, she prioritizes spending time in her flower garden, camping on weekends, and hiking in nature with friends.

“I spend every weekend I can at my family’s lot on Sugar Lake in Cherryville, B.C. I love being able to disconnect and explore the gorgeous hikes, quad trails and lakes that B.C. has to offer. Some of my favourite memories from growing up are fishing and camping with my parents and my sister.”

She’s looking forward to more family time with relatives in Quebec and Ontario in the fall, where she’ll enjoy the autumn colours outdoors.

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