Connect Series: Meet our Office Managers!
Avang Aboubakr (Headquarters, Vancouver), Alicia Tobias (All-Star by Reportex) and Kelsey Fletcher (Island Reporters, Victoria).
With our offices slated to safely open on Monday, July 6, we couldn’t think of a better time to introduce you to our office managers at Reportex – Avang, Alicia and Kelsey.
We recently asked them each a few questions. Here is what they had to say:
First up, is Avang Aboubakr, our office manager at Reportex Headquarters, Vancouver. Avang joined the team right in the middle of our office closure and has hit the ground running.
What are you most looking forward to about the safely re-opening?
I am overjoyed to be reuniting with my colleagues, as well as adhering to our safety protocols.
What has been the silver lining in having the offices temporarily closed?
The opportunity to spend more time with family and having their support as I embarked on a new position with the Reportex team.
How have you connected with yourself during these challenging times?
I have focused on centering myself through meditation, and finding my inner ‘handyman’ with home renovations. I’ve also discovered some at-home fitness routines… and red wine has been a huge part of my diet.
Fun fact: When not in the office, Avang enjoys meditation, wine and Korean dramas.
Next, is Alicia Tobias, our office manager at All-Star by Reportex located in New Westminster. Alicia has been a member of the All-Star team since January 2012.
What are you most looking forward to about the safely re-opening?
I am most looking forward to reconnecting face to face with my co-workers and clients. Prior to our offices shutting down I had been on mat leave for a year so it has been an extra long time since I have seen everyone’s smiling faces.
What has been the silver lining in having the offices temporarily closed?
Something positive that has come from having the office temporarily closed is being able to catch up on a large backlog of work emails.
How have you connected with yourself during these challenging times?
I found that at the beginning of the pandemic I was spending too much time cooped up in the house. This was adding to my anxiety and stress surrounding everything going on in the world. So now I try to spend as much time outdoors as I possibly can, whether it be going for a walk, or sitting outside and enjoying a cup of coffee. I realized that it is the simple things like getting fresh air or reconnecting with nature that help ease my mind and give me a sense of calm.
Fun Fact: When not in the office, Alicia enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching Netflix, reading, travelling and exploring local trails and parks.
Last but not least, is Kelsey Fletcher, our office manager at Island Reporters located in Victoria. Kelsey opened Island Reporters three and a half years ago, with a partner Colleen Murray. Kelsey doubles as an Office Manager and Realtime Court Reporter. Kelsey has been instrumental in the Cowichan trial in Victoria.
What are you most looking forward to about the safely re-opening?
I’m looking forward to having the office stop looking like a ghost town! It will be great to start hosting in-person discoveries again because it’s hard to feel connected to our clients from afar like this.
What has been the silver lining in having the offices temporarily closed?
For me personally, I have been involved in a lengthy and intense land claim trial, and once COVID hit and things shut down, the courthouse closed and I found myself on an extended holiday. After the initial stress wore off, I realized that I had been given an amazing gift of plenty of time off at the perfect time of year. I live on a farm with a big garden, and it was spring, so I threw myself into gardening, breeding chickens, incubating/hatching eggs, baking, and I tackled some projects that had been on the back burner for a long time. It was amazing to have eight weeks off.
How have you connected with yourself during these challenging times?
I’m introverted and used to spending time on my own, so the social isolation wasn’t really something I found terribly difficult. And I don’t tend to get overly stressed or anxious about stuff in general, so the pandemic didn’t really have a big impact on my life, other than in a positive way with the bonus time off. I would say I fared well through this strange COVID time, but I’m aware that many people weren’t so lucky. I found myself feeling grateful more often and appreciating everything I have.
Fun Fact: When not in the office, Kelsey enjoys sailing.
