Manitoba's Top Employers (2025) - Flipbook - Page 58
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MANITOBA’S TOP EMPLOYERS (2025)
USB staff thrive where community and career intersect
W
hen Katelyn
North
transitioned to
professor with
Université de
Saint-Boniface (USB), it was like
a homecoming for the graduate of
USB’s nursing program.
“I was able to reconnect with the
staff,” says the nursing professor,
who saw the opportunities for
growth at USB first-hand through
her colleagues.
“A lot of the professors who once
taught me are now in executive
positions or still part of the faculty
– it was so nice to see that progress
10 years later.”
Though she stepped into the
teaching role, North remained
involved in clinical practice as a
registered nurse while pursuing a
master’s degree in nursing science.
“The University is quite
flexible so I’m able to do it all,”
she explains. “It’s very supportive
and the university ensures that
professors can succeed and stay
up to date with all of the changes
in the profession.”
Whenever North looked to move
her career forward, new pathways
would emerge within the
institution, an experience shared
by university secretary Christian
Perron.
“Getting clear messages that advancement is possible – even if we
might have to be patient – is a very
strong motivator,” says Perron,
Sophie Bouffard, president at Université de Saint-Boniface.
who has held four different job
titles at the university in over two
decades.
“Every leader I’ve ever had here
always encouraged me to keep exploring and learning,” says Perron.
“I truly sense that at USB we want
to help people continue to educate
and better themselves.”
A USB graduate as well,
Perron was hired in the cultural
sector (animation culturelle)
in 2002 and worked his way up
from coordinator to director of
student recruitment and services,
becoming university secretary
in 2025. Along the way, the
university constantly encouraged
self-improvement through various
workshops, courses and even by
obtaining a master’s certificate in
project management.
“The openness and encouragement to push myself was
consequential,” Perron reflects.
“In retrospect, I wouldn’t be in my
current position without it.”
The openness and
encouragement to push
myself was consequential.
In retrospect, I wouldn’t
be in my current position
without it.
— Christian Perron
University Secretary
Being able to grow personally
and professionally means employees never stagnate, allowing them
to achieve satisfaction and job
success.
“USB always made me feel like
I was in the right place,” he says.
“It's also an incredibly dynamic
place to work. During my 12 years
as director of student services,
every day felt unique, bringing
new challenges and opportunities
to learn.”
“After 22 years, I truly believe
USB is constantly evolving and
reaching new heights,” says
Perron. “Each year brings fresh
ideas and meaningful progress.”
For North, opportunities at the
university have not only been able
to bolster her scope of practice,
but the job has allowed her to
work in French, her primary
language.
“Finding a way that I could keep
the French culture and language
