An influential mentor

Kootenay Business magazine recognized four West Kootenay businesswomen with its second annual Influential Women in Business awards. Here we speak to Melodie Kindret, certified financial planner at the Revelstoke Credit Union.

KB: Do you know why you were nominated?
Kindret: I was nominated by my team at the office and a few other people at work. I support as many of the staff as I can because I believe in being a mentor—I believe that knowledge is power and I like to help people learn. A few years back, I organized a women’s wellness event focusing on credit ratings, finances and stress, and local women were the guest speakers. We expected 48 people but we had over 90 women attend, and some of them are still talking about the value they got from this event.

KB: What does this recognition mean to you, and why?
Kindret: It was almost overwhelming to me. The words they said in the nomination were really kind and touching. I feel honoured that the people I’m close to feel that way about me.

KB: In your mind, what are the characteristics of an influential woman?
Kindret: A person of influence needs to be willing to mentor and to be supportive and positive. It’s important to be non-judgmental and approachable and to have healthy boundaries. Ideally, if a person is in a supervisory capacity, they should match the staff’s strengths with their duties and responsibilities. People should be able to work at an occupation where they can be motivated by their own enthusiasm for their work.