Notes from a Nation Builder: Bailey Woloshyn (B.Comm. 2019)
Bailey Woloshyn (B.Comm. 2019) gives us an update on her life since graduating from Edwards. She spent time leading local government, raising over $254,000 for charity, and much more before making the decision to go back to school to obtain her law degree.
In November 2018, in anticipation of completing my degree in April 2019, I was hired as the Chief Financial Officer for the Town of Foam Lake. I worked in that position until November of 2020 when I advanced into the role of Chief Administrative Officer. In the CFO position, I received my Urban Standard in Local Government Administration certificate after completing the required hours working with a qualified Administrator. This certificate uses the Bachelor of Commerce degree as the education component, so I did not need any additional courses to earn my certificate, which is something I was not aware of as a student.
In the CAO role, I oversaw the operations of the Town at the direction of Town Council. I supervised a full-time staff of ten, and additional seasonal staff of ten. My commerce skills served me incredibly well in this role, as I managed a $1.25 million budget, drafted, and enforced bylaws and policies, and made improvements to processes such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, bylaw enforcement, file maintenance, and payroll. My Co-op experience at Crossroads Credit Union and my education provided a great base of knowledge for me to apply and expand on.
Working in municipal government is incredibly challenging, interesting, and fulfilling. Returning to my hometown to do this job allowed me to serve the community I grew up in, and I spent a lot of time with family and friends, as well as volunteering in the community while I was there.
I was also part of a team of volunteers that helped raise $254,000 for a new digital x-ray machine at the Foam Lake Health Centre by hosting an eight-month Chase the Ace fundraiser, among other initiatives. This fundraising was completed in just over one year, in a town with a population just over 1,100. I also served as the Chair of the Foam Lake and District Leisure Services board, volunteered with Foam Lake KidSport, and coached and played volleyball.
In September 2021, I made the difficult decision to leave Foam Lake to return to university and further my education. I am currently a law student at USask, and this is another exciting opportunity that I'm thankful I can pursue.
In addition to studying Law, I recently joined the Elizabeth Fry Society as the Treasurer of the Board and I'm very excited to begin my work with this organization. I have been a volunteer at The Princess Shop in Saskatoon since 2018, an organization that focuses on empowering female-identified graduates on their graduation and beyond. I am so glad to be back in Saskatoon and continuing to volunteer with this organization on a casual basis.
At the end of 2021, I also accepted a 1L summer position with MLT Aikins LLP in Saskatoon. I am eagerly awaiting the summer when I will join the team at MLT Aikins and gain some experience working in a variety of practice areas. I don't yet have a particular area of law that I'm interested in practicing, but municipal law is definitely a consideration based on my past employment experience!