On August 16, the staff at CKC had the pleasure of celebrating Leila Bahorie, Director Registration and Membership Services, as she marked her 45th anniversary at CKC. This major service milestone offers a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the many positive contributions Leila has made throughout the past 45 years.
When Leila started with CKC, she was a teenager and new in Canada from Guyana. She found a job with an organization that recognized her talents and ambitions without having local work experience. One might even say that CKC took a chance on her- Leila flourished in that environment.
Leila started her tenure at CKC as a clerk typist and continued to progress through many various roles including Data Entry Supervisor, Senior Supervisor of Data Processing and Registration Manager, until advancing into her current role. She even stepped up as Acting Executive Director not once, but twice during times of transition. Leila was present for computerization and corporate downsizing, among many other changes CKC has seen over the years.
There is no doubt that Leila has created a family during her time at CKC, taking chances and seeing the potential as she hires new staff--just as someone took a chance on her 45 years ago. For anyone who has worked with Leila, they know of her exceptional leadership and dedication as well as her uncanny memory for events and dates.
In February, Diane Draper, Manager of Regulatory marked her 40thanniversary at CKC. Needless to say, Diane and Leila have been working side by side for a long time.
Diane shared her congratulations during our celebration:
“Let me start by asking Leila what’s her secret for looking so young. I think she must have found the fountain of youth because she is forever young. Leila, you look as youthful as when I first met you in 1979.
Leila has told me stories of her humble beginnings growing up in Guyana and coming to Canada when she was only 19 years old. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for her to leave home and come to a new country all by herself. She was brave and adventurous, and she still is.
Always ready to take on a new challenge. For Leila Canada was the land of milk and honey and she excelled at everything she has done. I have followed her through much of her journey here at CKC. Early on we realized that we had so much in common. We both married the same year that we started working at CKC; albeit 5 years apart.
We were each promoted to the role of manager in the early 1990’s. We were both mentored by the former Registrar…when CKC had a Registrar. We continue to share the same case files with our committees. We have so many stories to tell about some of our experiences.
Maybe one day we should collaborate on a book. Forty-five years working for the same company is an incredible feat Leila, especially when one doesn’t even look 45! That’s the age thing again…
Thanks for sharing this extraordinary journey with me and making the road a little easier to travel just by knowing that I always had a friend who I could count on.
Congratulations Leila on achieving this very special milestone!”
-Diane Draper
Even after all these years, Leila continues to approach every new situation with positivity and benevolence. Leila, CKC offers our congratulations and thanks for your many years of hard work and positive contributions to the legacy of the Canadian Kennel Club.
Lance