Day in the Life: Breanne Sombol | Advisor - Social Purpose

Walk us through what a typical day might look like? The more detail the better!

One of my favourite things about my role is that no two days ever really look the same. I get to work on such a variety of projects and with so many different individuals within both Introba and our sister companies, that I feel quite lucky to play a dynamic role and have opportunities to get to know and work with a diverse group of people.

Typically, my day will consist of at least a few meetings (and often a lot more than a few😉) to collaborate on whatever project is on the go. I get to work on such a multifaceted portfolio of projects, such as items connected to DEI and social impact to decarbonization and environmental impact. I work with individuals and groups to help us collectively set goals and take action towards achieving them. 

I spend a lot of time planning and preparing – from researching, setting timelines and schedules, drafting content, recording and editing video content (preferably not with me in it!), preparing reports and presentations, and so much more. My goal is to make a positive impact for our people, our communities and our planet. 

I help to connect the dots and oversee the various moving parts that create our ESG program, and work towards creating a balance that is inclusive of a grassroots approach led by our people, while also leveraging our leadership team and strategic plan, to bring it all together in a way that works, for everyone.  This might mean working with our ERGs, taking part in or leading councils/working groups, strategizing with leadership, seeking out best practises, aligning with our HR team, working with the Introba Gives team, connecting with external organizations and experts, and the list goes on!

Every day, I get to work with people who care about the work that we are doing and the legacy that it creates in our wake, which fills my cup and keeps me coming back for more!

What are the pros and cons?

Pros:

• I have had so many opportunities to learn, try new ideas and have autonomy over projects which has no doubt driven both my personal and professional growth.

• There is literally never a boring day!  With such a broad range of projects and tasks, I am always working on something new and getting to innovate, which excites me!

• Because I work on so many different things, I get to meet SO many of the amazing people who work here, within the GI Pillar and who are experts on topics that I am passionate about.

• My work makes me feel like I get to make a difference and that has always been something that’s essential to me professionally.

Cons:

• Multitasking can be tough!  It can be difficult to find pockets to complete the deep work required for certain tasks when I find myself in one of those crunches when there are so many things on the go at once.

• With the nature of my roles, there are SO many things I would like to do to make a real difference, and it can be tricky to prioritize amongst such important topics.  At times I can feel guilty about the things that are on the sidelines or floating in the back of my head, waiting their turn in line.

• Real, meaningful change takes time, and it can be frustrating moving slow where we want to move fast. But it is so important to be patient if we want the end outcome to be sustainable and embedded in our culture.

What are some skills you have that make you great at what you do?

I think I am a dynamic collaborator. I love working with people to find ways to help solve issues together and help formulate effective plans to achieve goals. Listening has always been a strength of mine as a naturally quiet and introverted person and so I think I do well in creating space for people to be vulnerable and authentic so that we can really dig deep to find solutions and create impact that goes beyond surface level.

I keep it real!  I am honest and candid, perhaps sometimes to a fault, which I believe helps me to create relationships built on trust and respect. I know that every single person’s opinion matters, and I carry them all with the same weight, irrespective of title, tenure or position. 

I don’t shy away from challenge and have a sense of optimism that’s pretty hard to break. It takes a lot to dampen my spirit and I tend to view roadblocks and set backs as learnings and opportunities, which I have found to be extremely helpful when working in the realm of social impact and dealing with challenges that can spur some eco-anxiety.

What are the common problems you and your team tackle? 

Oh, you know… the usual stuff, like how to save the planet and create an equitable world. Just kidding (at least a little). That’s a hyperbolic way to put it, but I am of the mindset that if we all do what’s within our direct control to make a positive impact at every opportunity that we have, then the world would be a heck of a better place. As Jane Goodall said “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

Some examples of problems we tackle would be; how do we actually achieve gender parity? How do we create programs and initiatives that work for such a diverse workforce? How can we be more inclusive for all regions as a global organization? How can we effectively communicate ‘xyz’ to our people? How can we leverage our position within Sidara and the GI Pillar to connect and come together to scale our impact.

What advice do you have for someone who is interested in learning more about what you do?

To learn more about what I do, definitely check out our most recent report: ESG at Introba and for the bigger picture the Sidara Annual Report.

You can also reach out to me anytime to chat!  Message me on teams or email me if you’d like to connect!