Hayley Picard has spent her life working hard to embody a strong set of values, living as honestly and authentically as she can. But closest to her heart has always been offering service to others.
鈥淰olunteerism is something that鈥檚 really important to me,鈥� she says, explaining it鈥檚 critical in creating empathy and giving perspective into other lived experiences, and that commitment to giving of herself has woven through her personal and professional lives for decades.
Hayley is the director of communications and marketing for Queen Margaret鈥檚 School in Duncan. She has been with the school for nearly 13 years, and had an interesting start to her QMS career in January of 2010.
鈥淚 had already been given a spot as a volunteer in the [Vancouver] Winter Olympics,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut the school believes in service to others, so when I took the job, I explained the situation and I worked for two weeks before I left to stay with my sister-in-law in Pemberton for two weeks. It really set the tone for my time with QMS. For service to others and giving back, you have to live it in order to share it with the kids.鈥�
Hayley, who鈥檚 also volunteered with the Commonwealth Games, coaches her daughter鈥檚 school field hockey team and definitely serves as an example.
鈥淚鈥檓 working full time, but I鈥檓 still doing the extras, and it鈥檚 important for the kids to see that, and for my kids to understand that the extra effort really goes a long way in creating a community.鈥�
Coming from a background that ranges from radio broadcasting to hospitality and event management, Hayley went back to school for her degree in communications with a minor in publishing from Simon Fraser University, and came into QMS as its communications coordinator, tasked with creating a recognizable and inspiring brand for the school.
鈥淲e had no social media presence. It was a completely clean slate,鈥� Hayley explains. 鈥淭hrough the years it鈥檚 been a gradual build, and we鈥檙e in a really good place now.鈥�
She鈥檚 also helped the school to build and nurture relationships with local families and organizations.
鈥淚 believe in connecting with our community. We want to be part of it. To connect with our local families and our local service organizations. QMS really believes in being courageous, being authentic, being ourselves and being kind. That鈥檚 when I feel like we鈥檙e at our best, when we鈥檙e living those values,鈥� she says.
Having spent years in the Lower Mainland, Hayley and her husband moved back to the Cowichan Valley in 2007, keen to re-establish a strong family support system.
鈥淚 was born and raised here, and it was important for us to come back to the community,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t was the best decision we ever made as a family.鈥�
The 7 Sins
Envy:
Whose shoes would you like to walk in?
As many people鈥檚 shoes as possible. Empathy and understanding are built through perspective, and something I always strive towards is to treat people with kindness, even when I may not understand their situation. For our society to have positive interactions, free of defensiveness, fear or stigma, it鈥檚 critical that we each take a breath and provide each other a little grace.
Gluttony:
What is the food you could eat over and over again?
Mashed potatoes鈥攖hick, creamy (but not whipped!), riddled with butter, garlic, salt and pepper, and some cream cheese in there.
Greed:
You鈥檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?
I would take time off from work and go on trips with my family around the world. I am passionate about my children seeing that their lovely lives here in the Cowichan Valley aren鈥檛 the way everyone lives. The world is rich with cultures, languages, beliefs, colours, smells and flavours, all there to be explored, experienced and appreciated first hand.
Wrath:
Pet peeves?
Hate speech. I believe in fair, honest and open debate on contentious issues, but not messages where people are belittled, attacked or made to feel badly about themselves simply because of a difference of opinion.
Sloth:
Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?
French Beach and Tofino. I find the west coast of our beautiful island so restful and restorative. My stress melts away and I return a much happier person after a stay there.
Pride:
What is the one thing you鈥檙e secretly proud of?
After 13 years building the communications department at Queen Margaret鈥檚 School, I am extremely proud of where we are today. My team鈥檚 work has assisted the school in building its market presence through multiple mediums, especially in the digital realm. I love it when parents, students or staff reach out saying how much they enjoy following us on Instagram, or how they enjoyed the most recent Connections Magazine. It provides me with immense joy.
Lust:
What makes your heart beat faster?
Beauty. Whether in nature (sunsets in Tofino or hiking Mount Tzouhalem), within a human interaction (a kind word with someone having a rough day), in art (paintings, photography or movies), or in the incredible diversity of our human and animal kingdom鈥eauty surrounds us everywhere. When I take a moment to recognize and appreciate it, my heart speeds up a little.
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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