ELN executive committee member. Event management guru. Proud Hamiltonian. Sarah Wardrope is one of The Hammer’s best. When she’s not strategizing and executing key corporate and digital communication projects at Hamilton Health Sciences, Sarah is finding ways to bring together her fellow rising leaders; most recently, she served as co-chair of HIVEX, an annual conference by Hamilton HIVE. If that wasn’t enough, Sarah stays active by running, biking, and exploring the trails around her fav city (spoiler: it’s Hamilton).
To learn more about Sarah, read her spotlight below.
I was born in…
Hamilton.
But I currently live in … (city/region and let us know why you love it there!)
Still Hamilton! Becoming a life-long Hamiltonian wasn’t intentional for me, but I’ve been fortunate that this city has allowed me to pursue my academic and professional goals, and right now I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Hamilton is a small big city and it’s exciting to not only watch it transform but to have the opportunity to help shape this transformation.
I spend most of my free time… (Tell us about your passions and what you do for fun!)
I try to make time regularly to run, bike, and generally explore Hamilton’s extensive network of trails.
The issues in our region that keep me up at night are…
Our region’s ability to deliver accessible and efficient health care and create partnerships in the community to collaborate rather than duplicate services. Access to affordable housing and sustainable programs to address poverty and ensure that all community members have access to basic supports.
My greatest city-building accomplishment to date is…
Partnering with local organizations and speakers to bring together over 300 young professionals in Hamilton and the surrounding region at HIVEX, an annual conference run by Hamilton HIVE to empower emerging leaders to make an impact in their careers, personal lives, and communities.
One characteristic every leader should possess is…
Agility. Our work and workplaces are constantly changing and the ability to identify areas for improvement and anticipate change, address change boldly and strategically, and lead others through change is critical.
One thing I do to ensure I continue to grow and develop as a leader is…
Strive to pursue new challenges and opportunities, especially those that take me out of my comfort zone and require me to put confidence in myself and my abilities. I’ve found that the most impactful development opportunities have come from learning through experiences, whether or not my endeavours are ultimately successful.
If you want to get more engaged in your city or community you should…
Read the newspaper, sign up for community newsletters, and follow the city and city-builders to learn about relevant issues and initiatives in your community. Join a community organization that aligns with your goals and interests to build a network of like-minded individuals and ground yourself in your community.
A hobby or talent of mine that people may not know a lot about is…
I’m not sure if it counts as a hobby, but I volunteer at a café and eatery called 541 that uses a pay-it-forward system to provide affordable, home-cooked meals to community members. When visiting 541, guests can purchase buttons which others can use as currency to help purchase a meal or beverage. You can find me there on Saturdays serving coffee and the best chocolate chip cookies in the city (and probably the region).
To me, leadership means…
Focusing less on one’s personal achievements and more on developing strong teams and future leaders. Regardless of job title, seek to coach, ask questions, and empower others to take ownership of ideas and solutions.
Diverse leadership is important because…
The most pressing issues facing our communities today are large, multi-faceted ones that require a variety of perspectives, ideas, and skills to address. Diverse leadership brings depth to problem-solving and ensures that the all voices and populations are represented in decision-making.
To me, an inclusive city/region/GTHA looks like…
- Engaging citizens in the decisions and policies that will impact them.
- Providing equitable access to key services, including housing, healthcare, education, and social services.
- Being able to point to examples of diverse leadership in all areas of business, the community, and levels of government.
The impact I hope to see through my term with the ELN is…
An increased presence for ELN in Hamilton to connect its growing network of emerging leaders with programming and support to engage in city-building activities that will help strengthen the city at a key time in its development.