Meet Joanie Cooke- Business Operations Manager

Position: Business Operations Manager

How long have you worked at McMaster? I joined McMaster in January 2009 after many years of working in various administration manager roles in the private industry. My initial role in UTS was Administrative Coordinator, however this role has evolved over the years whereby I now manage a team and assist our AVP & CTO executive team with strategic initiatives involving all areas of business operations. This includes finance/budget preparation and administration, strategic HR and staffing, Procurement management/administration activities, business processes, etc.

Tell us a little bit about yourself:I am a very dedicate individual to family, friends and of course my career and work ethnic. My passions run deep for my family, friends and work. My husband and I have raised two wonderful boys who are now working on their careers and making their way navigating life. Lately, I’ve enjoyed some travel and hope to do more, we are attending more concerts and through the years I’ve always entertained many family and friend events trying to impress with new recipes or simply good comfort home cooking. I’ve experienced all too often the meaning that “life is too short” therefore I endeavor to enjoy it as much as I can and try to bring joy and kindness to others as well.

In 3 sentences or less, describe your job and the best part of your job? My job involves administration of a large unit of over 110 employees this includes; Procurement, financial transactions, HR administration, space allocation and business processes supporting these administrative operational activities. My role also includes guidance, support and counsel on many issues including past, present and future team experiences in support of our Team’s core values and the mission of the institution.

Tell us about a mentor that you’ve had and how they supported your career development? Or how you’ve mentored someone and supported their development? My mentor is my current supervisor, Gayleen Gray. Since her arrival in my life, I’ve benefitted from her mentoring, guidance and her approach when building a high-performance team by incorporating leadership behavioral competencies and identify one’s character strengths and leaning into these strengths. Her support and guidance has help me develop my leadership capabilities for work but I’ve also applied this guidance in my personal life.

Name something you’ve been involved in at McMaster that you are particularly proud of. Completing the Strategic Leadership Program and the organization team for the CANHEIT Conference in 2011.

The Division of Operations and Finance has identified the core values that run through all of our work: curiosity, accountability, quality, empathy, teamwork, inclusiveness, and integrity. Please tell us which value means the most to you and why, and any work you are doing that embodies or speaks to the value. Integrity is key to many of the other core values it is the foundation to quality of work, accountability, teamwork, empathy, inclusiveness and above all trust.

What is a piece of advice you would give to someone embarking on their career at McMaster University? Learn by collaborating with your colleagues and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. Mcmaster is a very large organization and to be effective and efficient its best to seek advice from your colleagues and offer your experiences and perspectives to improve and learn.