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Jen DesLauriers

Manager, Talent Attraction

As manager of talent attraction, Jen collaborates across all divisions and departments at First West to grow our team of skilled and enthusiastic team members.

As a seasoned talent attraction and HR professional, Jen’s more than 20 years experience in recruiting includes over a decade in Canada’s credit union system. She’s developed a deep respect and appreciation for the cooperative values she was introduced to during her time at Vancity Credit Union, where she worked as manager of talent.

Regarded as an innovative leader, Jen draws on outside-the-box tactics to discover new team members. While she’s been involved with numerous initiatives within First West’s people services team, her first passion is connecting the right candidate with the right role.

Away from the office Jen enjoys spending quality time with her family in the Comox Valley.

Leah Ward

Senior Talent Attraction Advisor

You’ve never met a “people-person” like Leah. From her first job coordinating high-energy events around the world to her 10-years as the right-hand person for business executives, she thrives when she’s with her community.

Leah also loves growing the First West community with new team members who are the right fit with the organization’s inclusive, forward-thinking, flexible and fun culture. So, make sure to tell her all about your passions and ambitions! (Psst. If you really want to impress Leah, come to your interview prepared with some solid knowledge about First West.)

Having diverse career experience herself, Leah has learned that your future is in your own hands and she is an expert in matching people to the right job, training or development opportunity that will elevate their potential. And she takes her own advice! In addition to her business management credentials (BCIT, 2008) she continues to learn and expand her expertise in human resources.

Connect with Leah to chat about how you could grow your career at First West – or to get some of her excellent golfing tips or trail recommendations near Pitt Meadows where lives with her husband, young daughter and dog.

Cara Watmough

Senior Talent Attraction Advisor

Cara is a natural at connecting with people, and connecting them to others with shared interests and goals. With more than 20 years of recruiting and human resources experience, including various positions at First West since 2006, she’s created opportunities for hundreds of people to grow their career.

In recent years, Cara played a key part in advancing First West’s Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging strategy and activities. With this passion, she is currently focused on building relationships with candidates and community members for exciting roles at First West.

Cara is hands-on throughout the journey of welcoming new people to the organization—facilitating introductions, conversations, and questions and on-boarding. Working with her team and team members across the organization, she helps individuals flourish in roles that strengthen their career and contributions.

Ask what she enjoys about her job, and Cara describes the meaningful impact she makes to her community through giving back to and partnering with local charities, universities, Indigenous communities, and organizations supporting people with diverse abilities.

First West feels like home to Cara, and you’ll feel just as welcomed when meeting her. As someone who finds great joy from spending quality time with others, she’s often found in pursuit of new connections, outdoor adventures, and experiences with her family and dog, Kona.

Kate Ensing

Senior Talent Attraction Specialist

Kate wants to know everything you’re looking for in your next role. As a Talent Attraction Specialist, she loves working with people to help them grow their career in any direction—and she’s thrilled when a new connection turns into an opportunity to help someone flourish!

As a person who’s passionately committed to achieving her own goals, Kate understands what those who are hoping to elevate their career are looking for. She’s driven to make the best match between job-seekers and First West, ensuring that people feel inspired by our co-operative values and can flourish as part of our fast-growing credit union.

When you first meet Kate—in an interview, or perhaps a chance encounter while she’s exploring the beautiful BC outdoors—she’s likely to be curious about your interests, talents and aspirations. And that could be the start of a whole new path for your future.

Start the conversation with Kate now to discover new opportunities at First West!

Carmen Huang

Talent Attraction Specialist

When people consider their next career move, Carmen wants to be the first face that pops into their mind. You’re likely to meet her at a career fair, mock interview or resume review event in the community, while volunteering or attending a conference. Carmen is a getting-to-know you go-getter. She loves opportunities to represent First West while connecting with individuals to learn about their story and what motivates their work.

Carmen’s been making a difference in people’s careers and lives for over two years, specializing in high-volume recruitment. Her focus is on bringing talented new team members into many different member-service roles at the credit union. Every time she welcomes someone into First West, she’s excited to be part of their new journey—from offering someone their first job in Canada, seeing an advisor rise to a new level, or helping a student start out strong after graduation. Making a positive impact on people’s lives is what drives her, and she’s eager to continue extending her support to job seekers in equity-deserving groups and those who are eager to flourish while doing things that matter.