Wendy Smith encourages women to reach for the stars at Prospect Human Services.

The organization is an employment services agency that connects Albertans to the workforce.

As program manager, Smith has worked for the company for more than five years. She says the organization actively promotes women.

“With Prospect, you are not looked at as a female employee; you are always looked at as a valued team member. I have always felt supported in my role and I love supporting local women,” says Smith.

“In fact, in our office, we’re specifically looking to promote people into areas that maybe don’t have diversity. It goes beyond our workplace, though; we want to make sure that those doors aren’t closed to anyone who identifies as female and wants to get into the workforce.”

Prospect encourages women to explore learning and training to promote professional development. It also coaches women one-on-one to get into better positions in the workforce, listening to their stories and finding the best way to support them.

Nominator Robbi Fender works as an employment specialist at Prospect.

“Prospect Human Services has created an environment that both supports and encourages the growth, development and innovation of women,” says Fender.

“They offer equal opportunities and very much support women in taking on leadership roles or pursuing growth or career changes in any way they can.”