Robbin Martens graduated from Edward School of Business in 2018 with a Bachelor of Commerce and Finance. While at Edwards she completed the Co-op program and was a very involved student through many different volunteer organizations both within and outside the college. She is a Senior Service Specialist with Canada Life and is currently enjoying maternity leave with her daughter. She continues to volunteer throughout this time with her focused narrowed to the CIBC Run for the Cure.

 

You graduated with a degree in Finance and have worked in different roles within the financial industry, leading to your current role as Senior Service Specialist with Canada Life? Can you tell me a bit about your role and responsibilities with Canada Life?

My journey with Canada Life has been quite a fortunate one. Canada Life, which was Great Life at the time, reached out to me before I had completed my degree in Finance, and I started working with them part-time during my last semester. After graduation, they brought me on board full-time, which was a fantastic opportunity. I started as a Service Specialist in Group Insurance, where I handled various benefit plans for organizations, including health, dental, and life insurance. My primary responsibilities involve assisting HR professionals by providing information about their plans, helping them manage these plans, addressing customer concerns, and overseeing a substantial client base, typically around 400 clients in Saskatchewan. I meet with clients both in person and through video chats, especially due to the pandemic. Recently, I've also ventured into group retirement plans, including RRSP pension plans, expanding on the same type of role.

 

What was your time like at Edwards? Tell me about the clubs and non-profit organizations you were involved in as a student.

My time at Edwards School of Business was truly enjoyable. When I first started my degree, I really only had the intention of completing my coursework, but my involvement in clubs and non-profit organizations grew quickly. I began by volunteering doing small tasks like assisting with orientation day, but my involvement grew quickly. This experience led me to volunteer for various clubs and organizations, including Five Days for the Homeless, where I served as the Donations Director and later VP Finance. I also became involved with the Finance Students’ Society and eventually became President of that club, organizing events like "Bring Your Own Calculator." In my final year I also took on the role of VP Finance in the World Mining Competition.

I can't stress enough how many valuable skills I gained from these experiences. It's not just about learning accounting programs or working effectively in a group; it's also about developing leadership skills. I became the Run Director for the "Run for the Cure" because of the skills I gained through these opportunities. Networking and student involvement is incredibly important and equipped me with skills that extend beyond my job description.

 

What's your favourite memory with Edwards?

My favorite memory at Edwards has to be the CFA Ethics Challenge. It was an incredible experience, made even better by the fact that I had an exceptional team. Professor Brian Lane asked the Finance Students’ Society if we wanted to form a team and me and three other members decided to take on the challenge. We competed in the first-ever Prairie CFA Ethics Challenge in Winnipeg and won, earning the chance to go to the Canadian Nationals in Toronto. The feeling of winning at the prairies level was incredible, especially considering we were up against universities like UBC, U of A, and U of M. It was a fantastic bonding experience, as we got to know each other so well over the six months of preparation. Plus, it was my first time in Toronto, which made it even more special.

 

Why was student involvement important to you? How has this work continued to play a role in your professional journey?

Student involvement has been immensely important to me because I learned skills you’d never learn through regular coursework. Classes and group projects are great but when you step out of your comfort zone and get involved you really learn how to work with people in a professional setting. For example, my role as VP Finance in the World Mining Competition taught me how to use accounting programs and manage significant budgets, around $100,000, which were all donations or sponsorships. These skills, while initially in a finance context, can easily be applied across many aspects of business.

Another benefit is the skills learned are highly sought after by employers, which gave me a unique edge in interviews where I could confidently say that I may not have had workplace experience in certain areas, but I'm proficient in using essential programs like Excel \ because I used them extensively while contributing to these organizations.

 

You are the Run Director for CIBC Run for the Cure with the Canadian Cancer Society. Tell me about this role and your responsibilities.

I've been involved with the Canadian Cancer Society's CIBC Run for the Cure for about nine years now and I’m currently serving as the Run Director for the event. I've held this role for four years, including two virtual years and now this as my second in-person year.

As Run Director, my primary responsibility is to oversee a committee, usually consisting of around 10 members, and keep them motivated while ensuring the event runs smoothly. The event takes place at Prairieland Park every year, and my job involves directing the committee's efforts and occasionally stepping in to fill positions if needed.

A significant part of my role revolves around handling logistics, which includes booking venues, obtaining permits, recruiting volunteers, and engaging the community. We encourage local participation through sponsorships, volunteerism, and event participation. Typically, we see around 1,000 participants and raise approximately $175,000 in Saskatoon alone with the nationwide effort generating millions of dollars for breast cancer research across Canada.

 

What is the most rewarding or your favorite part of the work that you do with RFTC?

What makes this work truly rewarding is knowing that I'm not just fighting for something that affects my family but also countless others. The statistics for those affected with and by the disease are staggering. It's incredible to see how research, funded in part by organizations like ours, is making a difference. My grandmother had three more years with us because of advancements in breast cancer research, and it's impossible to measure how much those extra years meant to our family.

One of the most rewarding moments comes on the day of the run itself. Seeing a room filled with a thousand people, all dressed in pink and united by the purpose, is a profoundly moving experience. When the hope speaker takes the stage to share her story it's a powerful reminder of the impact our collective efforts can have. The hard work that goes into planning the event is more than worth it when you witness the passion and commitment of so many people coming together to support the cause. It's an incredible feeling that hard to put into words, you have to experience it for yourself.

 

Tell me about the annual Run for the Cure event?

This year’s Run for the Cure event is Sunday, October 1st. The event raises awareness about breast cancer and collects donations that go towards breast cancer research. The event is truly remarkable, uniting people in raising money that directly contribute to extending lives and, ultimately, finding a cure.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of the event is the presence of "hope participants," individuals who have battled breast cancer or are currently living with it. Many of them are in remission, while others live with cancer every day.

What makes it even more special is that participants can see tangible impacts of their fundraising efforts, which directly contribute to vital breast cancer research. There has been a significant increase, around 47% of people live past the five years mark after diagnosis so the research is helping significantly in prolonging lives and enhancing treatments.

 

How can someone get involved with the event, or the RFTC Saskatoon organization?

You can visit cibcrunforthecure.ca, where you'll find information about volunteering, participating, and making donations. If you're interested in the Saskatoon event and want to stay updated, you can follow our Facebook page under "Canadian Cancer Society, CIBC Run for the Cure, Saskatoon" or on Instagram at "runforthecure_yxe."

You can start your own fundraising team and businesses looking to get involved can consider donating or sponsoring the event. We’re also always looking for volunteers, whether for longer-term committee positions or simply to help out on the day of the run.

If you’re interested in getting involved with the Saskatoon CIBC Run for the Cure please visit: https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicEnterprise/EnterpriseSearch?EnterpriseGuid=b13761a3-c184-4c39-a651-44dda5b970f1&SearchType=Organization&SearchId=35338. Saskatoon is at the bottom of the page.

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