Our Gardian of the Month is Christine Saunders the President & Founder of Halmyre.
EG: What is a topic you are currently interested in learning more about but have yet to pursue?
CS: Board governance and leadership within the nonprofit sector is on my professional development plan as I aim to develop skills and gain exposure on different types of boards.
My work brings me into close contact with boards, and I have immense admiration for them, especially in the nonprofit world. I truly recognize the power of that volunteer role in guiding and steering associations, which are such vital collectives in our democratic society.
Beyond my management consulting work, I feel there's another role where I could potentially develop my skills and contribute meaningfully. I'm eager to explore this avenue and see how I can best serve in a board capacity.
EG: Who are the people in your life that have served as mentors and what have they taught you?
CS: There are two main groups of people I learn from consistently.
First, I can recall two or three former bosses at different points in my career who taught me both valuable lessons in good and bad ways. Looking back, the contrasting lessons have highlighted the importance of integrating integrity into decision-making. Their personal integrity as leaders and their commitment to organizational alignment, in both strong and weak moments, have been very revealing for my own journey. This has helped me strive to apply and have the confidence to bring my own integrity forward in my decisions.
The other group is the diverse range of people I've collaborated with since university. I'm consistently fascinated and energized by working with individuals at all levels of thinking, from junior to senior and from all types of disciplines in business. I deeply appreciate those who confidently share diverse perspectives when tackling problems, and I learn something new every day, in both small and significant ways, from these varied viewpoints. This collective energy and collaboration are truly energizing for me.
EG: What strategies have you found most helpful applying new knowledge to practice?
CS: I'd say a couple of things work in my favor: I'm a bit fearless and certainly not risk averse. I'm not sure which business term best fits – perhaps "fail fast" or "fail forward" – but I definitely believe in taking what I know and trying it out. I encourage everyone around me to do the same.
For me, it's a very pragmatic approach. I could contemplate something endlessly, but it's not until I actually try it myself, start discussing it with a client or colleague, begin writing it down, or simply do something with the idea that I truly understand it more fully. I find that journey of application incredibly exciting and valuable for my learning.
EG: Just for Fun - What is your favorite hobby and how did you get into it?
CS: Gardening is a big part of my life and it’s truly a family thing. My grandfather was a market gardener, and even as an eight-year-old, I would volunteer to weed the garden. I find the introspective aspect of it, along with the discipline and the satisfaction of the nurturing process, truly rewarding.
As a child, I was involved in our local agricultural fair, preparing submissions of the “best crab apples” or “wax beans”, hoping to win that $10 prize money. That was a journey of pride that I grew up around – the pride of making food for others.
My spare time today certainly reflects this ethos. On a weekend you’ll see me in my garden or in the kitchen preparing what I’ve grown to be shared and enjoyed as a way to literally ground me in the essentials of my roots and life.
EG: What is a resource that has been valuable to you in your work, and what makes you appreciate it?
Click the video below to see Christine's response!
