By Oli Pero, Canadian Red Cross, Quebec
For the past four years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Louise, Deputy Director, Logistics, Quebec Operations. Her efficiency and sincerity never fail to impress me! Her career path led her from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to the Canadian Red Cross. She regularly drives a truck full of equipment and manages a team of men in the warehouse. All of this intrigued me deeply.
During our discussions as I prepared this article, I realized this woman is quite simply extraordinary. It is a pleasure and a privilege to share her story.
After 21 years of logistics and management, Louise left the CAF in search of inner freedom and decided to pursue her dream of working in the humanitarian sector, helping those in need in Canada and around the world.
In the early 2000s, a housing crisis in Quebec led an organization to open emergency shelters for families who were not able to find a home. Coincidentally, Louise’s best friend suggested she apply for a humanitarian logistics job, and in 2001, she joined the Canadian Red Cross.
She says that working with the Red Cross is not a job, but an event in her life that has provided her with unforgettable experiences, in addition to a wealth of knowledge and insights.
Sitting in the cockpit of a plane as it flies over a volcano, Louise worked under precarious conditions, dealing with all types of crises and traumas, navigating cultural and organizational changes. All of these experiences have enabled Louise to discover the world, as well as to develop the resilience needed to face challenges and cope with the unexpected.
Since 2001, Louise has been involved in every emergency operation in Quebec. The event that had the greatest impact on her was during the COVID-19 pandemic when she helped set up an emergency shelter in Montreal’s soccer stadium for people experiencing homelessness. Every business was closed, and they needed to complete this task overnight. She worked with her team to find effective solutions.
“Someone who works in logistics is like a designer. You’re asked to do something, and you need determination to achieve it.”
Louise is now 58 and her fondest wish is to have peace of mind. She is focusing her efforts on imparting her knowledge to younger employees, ensuring the next generation is fully trained before she leaves.
“I have the best job in the world,” she concluded with a twinkle in her eye. “A job that has given me so much!”
I left her home feeling inspired and motivated for my own journey with the Canadian Red Cross, creating memories that I’ll treasure forever.
Interested in joining the Canadian Red Cross as a volunteer or staff? Visit our careers page to learn more about opportunities near you.
For the past four years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Louise, Deputy Director, Logistics, Quebec Operations. Her efficiency and sincerity never fail to impress me! Her career path led her from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to the Canadian Red Cross. She regularly drives a truck full of equipment and manages a team of men in the warehouse. All of this intrigued me deeply.
During our discussions as I prepared this article, I realized this woman is quite simply extraordinary. It is a pleasure and a privilege to share her story.
Following a Dream to Make a Difference in the Humanitarian Sector
Young Louise dreamed of helping others in times of need, such as providing the gift of life by transporting organs to hospitals. But she was also interested in the Red Cross missions she saw on television and believed that one day she would work in the humanitarian sector.After 21 years of logistics and management, Louise left the CAF in search of inner freedom and decided to pursue her dream of working in the humanitarian sector, helping those in need in Canada and around the world.
In the early 2000s, a housing crisis in Quebec led an organization to open emergency shelters for families who were not able to find a home. Coincidentally, Louise’s best friend suggested she apply for a humanitarian logistics job, and in 2001, she joined the Canadian Red Cross.
Bringing Years of Logistic and Management Expertise to The Canadian Red Cross
The concept of logistics was well known in the army, but relatively new to the Red Cross. For more than two decades, Louise has worked tirelessly to refine and develop this logistic function, a cornerstone of the Canadian Red Cross given the frequency and scale of our emergency operations. Whether in Quebec, Canada or anywhere else in the world, if there are humanitarian supplies to be managed or moved, Louise is the person for the job!She says that working with the Red Cross is not a job, but an event in her life that has provided her with unforgettable experiences, in addition to a wealth of knowledge and insights.
Inspiring Deployment Stories of Resilience and Humanitarian Impact
It’s not every day that we see a woman leading a 19-truck convoy from Canada to Texas or travelling on military aircraft to deliver supplies to Nunavik, Haiti, Nicaragua, Myanmar or Bangkok.Sitting in the cockpit of a plane as it flies over a volcano, Louise worked under precarious conditions, dealing with all types of crises and traumas, navigating cultural and organizational changes. All of these experiences have enabled Louise to discover the world, as well as to develop the resilience needed to face challenges and cope with the unexpected.
Since 2001, Louise has been involved in every emergency operation in Quebec. The event that had the greatest impact on her was during the COVID-19 pandemic when she helped set up an emergency shelter in Montreal’s soccer stadium for people experiencing homelessness. Every business was closed, and they needed to complete this task overnight. She worked with her team to find effective solutions.
“Someone who works in logistics is like a designer. You’re asked to do something, and you need determination to achieve it.”
Louise is now 58 and her fondest wish is to have peace of mind. She is focusing her efforts on imparting her knowledge to younger employees, ensuring the next generation is fully trained before she leaves.
“I have the best job in the world,” she concluded with a twinkle in her eye. “A job that has given me so much!”
I left her home feeling inspired and motivated for my own journey with the Canadian Red Cross, creating memories that I’ll treasure forever.
Interested in joining the Canadian Red Cross as a volunteer or staff? Visit our careers page to learn more about opportunities near you.
