Meet our Marketing & Communications Director, Megan Ejack. Megan joined the team in March 2019, and has since been an amazing asset to the Reportex team. Megan is known for her strong leadership and interpersonal skills and endless creativity.

A highly experienced visionary with a background in dance, communications and strategic planning, Megan previously worked at TLABC for 12 years as their Development Director.

When not at the office, Megan enjoys football, travel, sunshine and wine and is currently working towards her certification at the acclaimed International Sommelier’s Guild (ISG).

We recently interviewed Megan on our theme of ‘connection’ and to see how she was making out during these challenging times. Here is what she had to say:

How have you found meaningful ways to connect with your work during these challenging times?

I feel incredibly grateful to be able to keep working, albeit a little differently, but it has also been very intense to lead a team, with my colleagues, through this crisis. I’ve found that the key is balance. People are looking to you for answers and assurance, and there is a huge push to adapt quickly and keep the business running, so you have to try and remain calm and focused even when things are in chaos around you. There have been days when putting on a brave face has taken everything I have. But knowing that what we’re doing really does matter and is helping the whole industry keep running feels amazingly gratifying.

I have found some solace in my role as Mktg & Comms Director, because it’s my job (even in normal times) to find ways to connect with our team, our clients and our industry. But these days, I get to be a little more creative! In many ways, I have found inspiration in new platforms to use, in connecting through our social media and our marketing efforts, as well as checking in with our team as much as possible.  

It helps to have the greatest team beside you, for the good days and the hard ones… and wine, wine helps too.

Have you found a way to connect with your community during these challenging times?

Despite being isolated on my own, I’ve been really grateful for what I affectionately have been calling my morning and evening freedom walks in my neighbourhood. I live in Kitsilano and I like to walk down to the beach. As I pass my neighbours who are doing the same, it has been nice to slow down and take the time to say hello or good morning more than usual… and the faces are becoming familiar, it really feels like a community now.

Although it has always been part of my life, I feel that I’ve also been really focused on shopping and supporting local. There are so many new options for delivery and services coming out of this, it’s easier than ever to support my neighbourhood restaurants and businesses. I imagine that there will be a huge focus on continuing to support, shop and travel locally and prioritize supporting our Canadian economy.

Also – the Facebook group “What do you see from your window” has been a shining light joining people from across the world – all of us existing in this same pandemic! Really cool.

How have you connected with yourself during these challenging times?

It has been more important than ever to really listen to my body and soul as we navigate our health, the media, business, family, fear, anxiety and the whole range of emotions every day. I carve out the time to meditate each morning and afternoon and to move my body, even if it’s just a short walk or some yoga.

I’ve also been fueling my mind with productive and positive things to combat the fear and uncertainty. I’ve been focusing on developing my leadership skills through the ‘Masterclass’ app and I’ve also been reading a lot – my recent favourite is ‘Untamed’ by Glennon Doyle.

Speaking about connection generally, is there something specific that inspires you about this idea?

Everything about connection inspires me.
Understanding how we are all interconnected and how we connect to our own selves in this world is truly all there is.

Meet our Business Development Director, Erin Monahan. Erin joined the team in August 2019, and has since been an awesome asset to the Reportex team. Erin is known for her positive attitude and strong work ethic.

A highly experienced planner with a background in meetings and events, Erin has a varied background and worked as an education director (8 years at TLABC), actress, waitress and assistant cruise director, prior to joining the Reportex team.

When not at the office, Erin enjoys reading, hiking, knitting, travelling and all things that involve wine.

We recently interviewed Erin on our theme of ‘connection’ and to see how she was making out during these challenging times. Here is what she had to say:

How have you found meaningful ways to connect with your work during these challenging times?

This I have to say for me has been the most challenging. While the world is generally embracing Zoom as a way to connect with friends and family that we can’t see in person, I have found I am experiencing “Zoom fatigue”. Work relies quite a bit for me to be on Zoom meetings (which I know is common for everyone working from home) but I find at the end of the day and on weekends I lack the energy or desire to sit in front of my computer. I really do prefer the face to face interactions, and while we are incredibly lucky to be experiencing this in a time where we do have access to technology, it is still just not the same for me.

Have you found a way to connect with your community during these challenging times?

Not as much as I would like to, for the reasons above. However, I have made a commitment to support local business for all my needs. I had to replace my Blundstone boots recently (I walk quite a bit, and good walking shoes are an essential for me) and I made sure to find a local business that I could purchase them from rather than ordering online.

How have you connected with yourself during these challenging times?

I have started to really recognize what I need in order to feel balanced. During the first few weeks of social isolation, I essentially just hid from the world. I worked (from home, obviously) in my “yoga pants” and was intentionally inactive. I was not sleeping well, had quite a bit of anxiety building up, felt listless and uneasy. It came to a breaking point when I had to take a mental health day and made a point not to look at any screen (especially social) media. I very quickly realized that I need exercise, and a routine, to stay sane. I do not allow myself to “work in my pj’s”. Every morning I shower, blow dry my hair, and put on “real clothes” for the workday. I only allow myself to wear yoga pants on the weekend, as that is the reward for a week of hard work. I also started running, which is an activity I have always avoided in the past because I had convinced myself that I did not like it. I found that not only I do like it (quite a bit!) but it is essential for my mental health to get out there and get my heart rate up. I have also found that when I feel the anxiety start to build, a good run or bike ride tends to shake out the anxiety and get me back on track.  

Speaking about connection generally, is there something specific that inspires you about this idea?

I find this time very interesting. We are discovering that for many of us, working from home is not only possible, but for some people preferred. Most of the services Reportex offers have traditionally been in person, but we had to adapt and start to offer them virtually, which was easier than one might have thought. I wonder, once the pandemic is over, how much of this “virtual world” will come with us. While I believe that access to justice and healthcare as well as other essential services can certainly be advanced by virtual technology, will we be as connected if we no longer make an effort to be face to face?

Meet our Operations Director/Realtime Court Reporter, Leanne Kowalyk. Leanne joined the team in 2014 and has since been an irreplaceable asset to the Reportex team.

A highly skilled and experienced realtime court reporter with a background in mentoring newly graduated court reporting “grasshoppers,” Leanne (in addition to her work in Canada) has extensive experience working on a variety of international arbitrations, high court and American depositions throughout Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.

When not at the office, Leanne enjoys competitive dragonboat paddling, non-competitive curling, doing multi-day hikes and hanging out with Milo, her four-month brown mutt.

We recently interviewed Leanne on our theme of ‘connection’ and to see how she was making out during these challenging times. Here is what she had to say:

How have you found meaningful ways to connect with your work during these challenging times?

Taking time during my work days to step away and regroup mentally has strengthened my clarity and focus and processing abilities. I feel this has allowed me to better apply myself in my role and assuage the burnout I was feeling pre COVID-19.

Have you found a way to connect with your community during these challenging times?

I have been connecting with family and friends over Zoom during this time, and we have been getting our weekly (ish 😉) take-out to support our local businesses (and breweries!)  I have found people are much more social when I am out walking with my puppy, which has helped me feel more connected to my community.  We have even had people asking us to walk by their house/establishment regularly so they can watch little Milo grow!

How have you connected with yourself during these challenging times?

I have attempted to work regular meditation and yoga into my schedule, which doesn’t always happen, but when it does I find it makes a big difference in my day.  I have also been embracing the quiet and solitary time that I don’t normally have in my life to reflect, refresh, enjoy a cup of tea and just breathe.

Also while spending so much time on Zoom and thus experiencing the dreaded Zoom fatigue, I am trying to spend more time “unplugged” when I am at home, either reading, playing crib with my hubby, being more creative in the kitchen, etc.

Speaking about connection generally, is there something specific that inspires you about this idea?

While taking advantage of the time to connect with myself, I do feel a weight slowly lifting.  I enjoy my work and life more when I feel rested and balanced and more able to apply myself to the task at hand.  I feel inspired to keep that going post COVID.

I am acutely aware of how I am choosing to spend my time while everyone is staying home, who I am connecting with and why I am choosing those specific individuals.  It gives me a chance to reassess my own value system and priorities, both in relation to my work and my personal life.

We thank Leanne for her time!

Check back in next Friday when we will be featuring Business Development Director Erin Monahan.