“For me, the greatest thing about the group is the personal and emotional support that it offers to allow an individual be the best that she can be,” shares client Katrina Macadaeg, when speaking of her experience with the Professional Women’s Group and Dress for Success Vancouver.
Katrina was introduced to the Professional Women’s Group (PWG) when she was a new immigrant, in between jobs with no personal or professional network.
“Before I left the Philippines to migrate to Canada, I made arrangements to ease my settlement,” she says. “I set up an appointment with an immigrant serving organization to be in a government program enabling professionals to get into their chosen field. However, as days passed by, I became uneasy. I wanted to quickly learn more. I searched for other organizations to get more support and chanced upon S.U.C.C.E.S.S. This is where I met a PWG alumna, Aurea Lucas, who referred me to Dress for Success Vancouver for dressing services.”
Through her participation in Dress for Success, Katrina had a first-hand experience to the services provided such as dressing for job interviews and professional development. The long lasting benefits of this experience offered more than she ever imagined. “The wide range of training facilitated by PWG armed me with the knowledge, network and confidence I need to create a niche in my new environment and left me feeling empowered.”
Now a Certifications Coordinator at EWOS Canada Ltd, Katrina is grateful for the doors opened and skills learned as being part of the PWG and continues to set her goals in her personal and professional development- looking to the next five years to advance to a leader in her company complimented by an equally happy personal life.
“For me, success is simple and personal – it is being able to achieve what you have planned for yourself in alignment of your own needs and core values,” says Katrina. “It means being able to continuously improve yourself and your situation.”
Katrina is looking forward to participating in the upcoming IMPACT 360 fundraiser. She’ll be walking the red carpet with none other Dress for Success clients celebrating their success and the donors and DFS community who have opened doors for them. Tickets now available at http://dfsvancouver.org/impact/