The Edmonton Metropolitan Transit Services Commission (EMTSC) officially dissolved on May 31, 2023. I will leave it to others to discuss how bad or good this “development” is to the region. Right now, I’m just disappointed that the Commission doesn’t exist anymore. Mandates and politics aside, it was a great place to work and helped make me a better communications professional.
When I joined the Commission in 2022, I was in a bad place – my confidence was low, I was angry, and I didn’t even have a moustache. Over the next year, while there were many frustrations slash challenges, I was rebuilt by the team and the culture created by management, and could leave now better, and harrier, than when I started.
One big thing I learned was that, as organizations, some things are out of our control – political will changes, relationships sour, funding dries up, etc. But there are things that leaders can control, like how we treat people and how we respond to both adversity and success. If we act with dignity, compassion, and respect in the later than the former becomes immaterial.
Thanks again to the Board, led by Wes Brodhead and the CEO Paul Jankowski. It was great to work for and with Lori Shea-Smith, James McDonald, PLog, Agata Lewandowski, Shawn Platt, Dotun Aderoju, CPA, CA, MBA, Andrew Anderson, Josh Angel, and Mandy Giacobbo. I want to especially mention Bryan Haggarty who was/is an amazing boss and mentor – whose integrity, intelligence, and kindness are second to none.
This is a long way to say that I am officially back to freelancing. So, if you need a writer/communicator/engagement person, give me a call/text at 780-932-0534 or email me at lucas@statelycreative.com.