Since my first day at Pacific Ropes, I’ve had mixed feelings about my title. In our incorporation paperwork, Tim was designated as President, while I chose the title of Secretary. It made sense at the time—my role was mostly administrative. Later, I tried Administrative Director, which felt more fitting in those early years.
Fast forward ten years, and my role has evolved significantly. I now drive business strategy, ensure we stay aligned with our mission, build the right team, allocate resources, and balance operations with growth. Given these responsibilities, my current title of Administrative Director feels inadequate. Yet, considering a more fitting title often leaves me feeling………..undeserved?
My imposter syndrome is like an unemployed roommate on the couch, eating chips and heckling me: “Really? You think that’s a good idea? Good luck with that.” Every day, I make decisions that could change the course of human history—or at least our office snack policy—and I wonder why I’m the one making them.
Running a business was never part of my plan. I went to UBC for marine biology because I wanted to hang out with dolphins. Business school? Not on my radar. If I ever imagined starting a company, it would’ve been something lighthearted—maybe making funny videos for social media. Instead, I run a company with 50 employees, helping critical infrastructure stay operational in industries like construction and energy. Of all the people in the world, how did I end up here?
No, I don’t have a secret twin who was meant for this job. What happened is simpler: I just kept saying yes. One door would close, another would crack open, and out of curiosity, I’d step through—without realizing it would shut behind me. Some doors led to growth. Others, to failure. The door that lead me to Pacific Ropes has been one with the most failures yet filled with the most purpose. Leading people has been one of the hardest lessons of my life. I’ve disappointed people. I’ve lost important relationships. I’ve had hundreds of moments where I wanted to quit, convinced I wasn’t the right person for the job. Maybe I'll have better luck making funny videos.
But I’m still here. The phones are still ringing. People still have jobs. And somewhere along the way, I decided I wasn’t going to give up so easily. Every failure is a lesson. Every challenge, an opportunity.
So, in the spirit of International Women’s Day, I want to encourage all women to grab onto the opportunities in front of them—especially the ones that feel intimidating or undeserved. Ignore your inner critic (or the outer ones). You’re the one with the opportunity, not them.
The world isn’t reserved for the rich, the pretty, the smart, or the ones who seem more deserving. The world is up for grabs, for all of us. The question is: will you rise to the occasion?
I think you should.