Janice Myers: Leading CREA, Nurturing Motherhood – A Journey of Resilience and Growth for Working Professionals
The journey of motherhood is a profound expedition, brimming with moments of joy, personal growth, and often unforeseen challenges. For countless women, the arrival of a new family member marks not only a beautiful shift in daily routines but also a deep evolution of aspirations and priorities. It’s a transformative experience that reshapes perspectives, demanding adaptability, strength, and unwavering dedication.
Janice Myers, the esteemed CEO of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), embodies this powerful narrative. Her experience as a mother has not been a detour from her professional ambitions but rather a profound catalyst for self-discovery and extraordinary career growth. In a society where the traditional narrative often pits motherhood against professional achievement, Myers’ story stands as a compelling testament to the possibility of thriving in both realms. She offers a beacon of hope and inspiration to working mothers, demonstrating that with resilience, strategic support, and determined spirit, the seemingly impossible becomes achievable.
As we pause to celebrate Mother’s Day and honor the invaluable, multifaceted contributions of mothers in all walks of life, including the demanding corporate world, Myers generously shares her insights. Her experiences illuminate the delicate yet dynamic balance required to navigate ambitious career aspirations alongside profound familial responsibilities. Through her remarkable journey, Myers exemplifies the enduring strength, strategic determination, and unwavering spirit characteristic of working mothers globally — proving conclusively that with faith, robust support systems, and resolute determination, any aspiration is truly within reach.
Let’s delve deeper into Myers’ candid reflections on motherhood and its significant, shaping impact on her distinguished career, alongside her invaluable wisdom and practical advice for navigating this unique path.
Motherhood’s Guiding Influence on Career Pathways
Natalka Falcomer (NF): You’ve undoubtedly encountered numerous career opportunities and challenges throughout your journey. How has motherhood influenced your approach to seizing these opportunities?
Janice Myers (JM): “Motherhood has unequivocally been a guiding force in shaping my career decisions and trajectory. It instilled in me a fundamental understanding that every significant professional step is a choice, and critically, that timing is paramount. There have been several instances where truly compelling career opportunities presented themselves, yet upon careful and honest analysis of their potential impact on my family – particularly on my children’s well-being and stability – I recognized they simply weren’t the right fit for us at that specific moment. And I’ve learned to accept that, to be at peace with it. I’ve developed a strong faith that other, equally rewarding doors will open when the timing aligns perfectly for both my professional growth and my family’s needs. This discernment, born from motherhood, has been incredibly empowering.
Conversely, motherhood has also surprisingly emboldened me to pursue opportunities even when I may not have felt 100 percent qualified or completely ready for them. This is a common hurdle for women; we often hesitate to take that crucial next career step because we feel an innate pressure to ‘check every single box’ on the requirements list. However, my experience as a mother has taught me that sometimes, you just have to embrace the challenge, take that leap of faith, and trust that you will figure it out as you go along. The confidence gained from navigating the constant unknowns of parenting translates remarkably well into tackling new professional responsibilities.”
Strategies for Harmonious Work-Life Integration
NF: Balancing the often-competing demands of family and career can frequently feel like an uphill battle, leading to considerable stress and self-doubt. What practical strategies have you employed to navigate this complex challenge effectively?
JM: “The biggest, most persistent challenge for me has always been the constant juggling act, that pervasive feeling of being pulled in myriad directions simultaneously. It’s incredibly easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you’re not doing any aspect of your life—neither your career nor your family responsibilities—exceptionally well. This self-doubt can be crippling. However, over time, I’ve learned a crucial lesson: achieving a perfect ‘balance’ isn’t a static destination but rather an ongoing, dynamic process. What works effectively for me today may need to evolve and adapt over time as both my career and my family life change.
Prioritization has become my foundational strategy. It’s not just about making a to-do list, but deeply identifying what truly matters most in both my professional endeavors and my personal family life. This clarity helps me make informed, often difficult decisions, and enables me to allocate my most precious resource—my time—with greater effectiveness and intentionality. While I naturally strive to maintain a sense of control over my schedule and responsibilities, I’ve also cultivated the wisdom and serenity to embrace the inherent unpredictability of life’s roller coaster ride. Flexibility and adaptability are not just buzzwords; they are essential survival skills for a working mother.”
The Indispensable Role of Support Systems and Strategic Delegation
NF: Delegation and robust support systems are absolutely crucial for working mothers striving for career advancement. How have you leveraged these vital resources throughout your distinguished career?
JM: “I’ve been incredibly fortunate throughout my journey to have had an exceptionally supportive partner and an understanding extended family who have played truly instrumental roles. Their unwavering belief in me and their practical assistance have made a world of difference. When my children were young, my husband’s home-based business offered a flexibility that proved invaluable; it allowed him to be physically present and actively involved when he was most needed, providing a level of support that was simply indispensable to my ability to focus on my career.
Beyond familial support, I’ve also painstakingly learned the profound importance of strategic delegation, both within my professional role and within the dynamics of our household. As women, there’s often a deeply ingrained societal expectation, or even a self-imposed pressure, to ‘do it all’ ourselves. We tend to believe that we must be the sole orchestrator of every detail, at work and at home. However, I’ve discovered that sharing responsibilities—trusting others, whether colleagues or family members, to handle tasks—significantly alleviates pressure. More importantly, it allows me to concentrate my energy and focus on what truly matters most, both in my leadership role at CREA and in nurturing my family relationships. Effective delegation isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a hallmark of strong leadership and a key component of sustainable work-life integration.”
Empowering Future Generations: Lessons from a Pioneer
NF: Reflecting on your ground-breaking journey as the first female CEO of CREA, what significant lessons or vital insights do you hope to impart to other women who are navigating the complex, often challenging intersections of motherhood and ambitious career advancement?
JM: “One particular moment stands out with remarkable clarity in my memory – an experience that profoundly underscored the delicate equilibrium required to seize significant opportunities while simultaneously managing their inevitable impact on our cherished loved ones. It serves as a potent reminder that no matter how meticulously we plan, external forces, unforeseen circumstances, or simply life’s beautiful unpredictability can disrupt even the most perfectly laid plans.
My deepest hope is to inspire other women to boldly pursue their highest professional ambitions, even as they navigate the intricate complexities of family life and motherhood. I want them to understand, with absolute certainty, that with unwavering determination, strategic planning, and robust support systems in place, truly anything is possible. It’s about building a life that doesn’t force a choice between career and family, but rather thoughtfully integrates both into a rich, fulfilling existence.”
The York Executive Program: A Defining Moment of Professional and Personal Growth
NF: You mentioned a particularly significant moment in your journey — attending the prestigious York Executive Program at the Schulich School of Business. Can you share more about how this transformative experience impacted you?
JM: “Absolutely. Attending the York Executive Program at Schulich was, without exaggeration, a dream come true for me. It represented an unparalleled opportunity for professional growth and leadership development that I had long aspired to. However, this dream came with its own unique set of profound personal challenges and internal conflicts. I vividly recall the intense emotional struggle I faced when first considering enrollment in the program. On one hand, the opportunity to deepen my expertise, expand my network, and accelerate my career trajectory was undeniably compelling. Yet, on the other hand, the daunting thought of being away from my children for an extended period weighed incredibly heavily on my mind and heart. The guilt, the potential disruption to their routines, and the sheer longing I knew I would experience were significant deterrents.
Despite my deep hesitations and emotional turmoil, my parents and my husband became my incredible cheerleaders. They rallied behind me with unwavering enthusiasm and support, urging me, almost compelling me, to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Their steadfast belief in my capabilities, coupled with their practical commitment to stepping up and supporting my family in my absence, gave me the profound courage I needed to embark on this demanding journey. I remember meticulously writing bedtime notes and strategically hiding small presents for my children to discover each day, as a way to maintain our connection and soften the separation during my time away. These small acts were a balm to my soul, a tangible link to the family I loved so dearly.”
NF: How did you navigate the emotional and logistical separation from your family during the program, and what enduring lessons did you learn from that intensive experience?
JM: “Throughout those long, often challenging weeks of the program, maintaining regular, meaningful contact with my family became my essential lifeline. Despite the physical distance, our emotional connection remained incredibly strong, nurtured through daily phone calls, heartfelt conversations, and the anticipation of my return. Yet, despite these efforts, the separation still felt like an eternity at times, and I frequently grappled with powerful feelings of guilt, intense longing, and the fear of missing out on crucial moments in my children’s lives.
However, upon my highly anticipated return home, I was not met with resentment or distance, but with an overwhelming, joyous excitement from my children. Their exuberant welcome was a warm, powerful reminder of the unwavering love and incredible support that constantly surrounded me. That entire experience, though fraught with internal conflict, taught me an invaluable and enduring lesson: It reinforced the delicate yet critical balance inherent in seizing significant professional opportunities while diligently and thoughtfully managing their emotional and practical impact on our beloved family members. It taught me that while ambition is important, the foundation of family love and support is what truly sustains us and allows us to reach our highest potential, both personally and professionally. It demonstrated that investing in oneself, even when it requires temporary sacrifices, can ultimately enrich family life through the example set and the capabilities gained.”
A Call for Empowered Workplaces: Recognizing Mothers as Productive Contributors
In the broader context of evolving workplace dynamics and the pursuit of diversity and inclusion, Janice Myers’ compelling narrative profoundly underscores the imperative need for organizations to recognize, value, and actively celebrate the invaluable contributions of mothers as highly productive and innovative contributors. Her story challenges the outdated notion that motherhood could ever be a hindrance to professional success. Instead, Myers’ journey brilliantly highlights and demonstrates the powerful truth: motherhood often significantly enhances an individual’s capacity for compassionate leadership, incredible resilience, strategic problem-solving, and groundbreaking innovation. The skills honed in managing a household and nurturing a family – empathy, multi-tasking, crisis management, and long-term planning – are precisely the attributes that elevate leaders in any industry.
By consciously embracing and actively fostering a culture that genuinely values and robustly supports working mothers, organizations, both within and beyond the dynamic real estate sector, stand to gain immensely. They can harness the rich, diverse perspectives, exceptional talents, and unique lived experiences that mothers bring to the table. This enlightened approach creates inclusive environments where both profound personal fulfillment and accelerated professional growth are not just possible, but actively encouraged and celebrated. Such workplaces foster loyalty, innovation, and a stronger, more representative leadership pipeline.
As we extend our heartfelt honor to mothers this Mother’s Day and throughout the year, let’s champion progressive policies and practical practices that truly empower mothers to excel without compromise. This means advocating for flexible work arrangements, accessible childcare, equitable parental leave, and cultures that eliminate stigma. By doing so, we recognize their integral, irreplaceable role in driving progress and fostering prosperity, not only within the confines of the workplace but across the entire fabric of society. Janice Myers’ journey serves as a powerful blueprint for how women can define success on their own terms, inspiring a future where professional ambition and devoted motherhood are seen as symbiotic strengths, not opposing forces.
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