Tell us about yourself and your pronouns.
My name is Sylvie Gagne, and my pronouns are she/her. I work as a Senior Executive Assistant in the Chief Legal Office at Interac Corp.
What does a typical day at Interac look like for you
I don’t think there’s a typical – everyday is different. I usually start with a list of tasks I want to accomplish, but my day quickly becomes reactive. Each day brings new requests, projects, and opportunities. It’s like playing calendar Tetris – moving meetings, rescheduling bookings, and ensuring everything is up to date.
What is your favorite part of the job?
What I enjoy most is the variety and unpredictability of the job. I never know what each day will bring, and I love working with such a fantastic team—everyone is super nice. My role has two main components: the legal, compliance, and regulation aspect, and the executive assistant aspect, which allows me to collaborate with a diverse group of people.
Can you share your journey with Interac so far?
I’ve been at Interac for just over a year and I come with a background in tech, where I used to work closely with CEOs. Now at Interac, which is more of a mix of technology and banking, I work with a Chief Legal Officer, meaning there’s an actual department to collaborate with. Working with a team of lawyers, legal experts, and compliance professionals is enjoyable because it’s fun to work with such a large group.
I also took on a leadership role in the Interac Pride ERG. Initially, I joined as a member, but soon I wanted to do more to enhance our impact within the company. As a lead, I’ve organized numerous events to engage members and foster connections, helping to strengthen our pride community at Interac.
What does Pride Month mean to you?
Pride Month holds a deep significance for me, especially in today’s world where queer individuals face increasing challenges, especially in other regions. My own journey has been complex, I came out later in life, at 42, and faced difficulties with my family’s acceptance. It was only after my mother met my eventual wife that they began to understand and accept my identity.
Despite this, I proudly embrace who I am. When applying for jobs, I openly mention my wife to emphasize that I am part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and that inclusivity matters to me in the workplace. At Interac, I have found a supportive environment where I can truly be myself, and that means a lot to me.
What advice would you give to a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community looking to start a career in FinTech?
I want to reassure anyone from the community that the fintech industry welcomes you. Don’t hesitate to be authentic and yourself because diversity is crucial in every tech company I’ve been a part of. All the companies I’ve worked for have strong Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), where people are open about their identities, and many company leaders prioritize 2SLGBTQ+ inclusivity, including Interac.
So, don’t hesitate, because the tech industry values you. Be open from the start, because FinTech companies are eager to hire and embrace you.
Interac is committed to supporting small businesses across Canada. Are there any 2SLGBTQ+ businesses you would like to highlight and share?
I support Glad Day Bookshop in Toronto and believe it’s crucial for people in the city to do the same. While ordering books online can be convenient, it’s important to make an effort to support Glad Day because they play a vital role in the queer community. I’m proud of how the queer community rallied to rescue this store. Besides offering great books, they also host a fun drag brunch that everyone would enjoy.
Allyship is more important than ever right now. Do you have any resources/words of advice you want to share with people who are looking to be better allies?
It’s crucial to respect the identities of BIPOC and Two-Spirit individuals within our community. These identities are deeply rooted and should never be appropriated. As a committed ally, I support everyone’s identity and heritage, and I believe this inclusivity should be universal.
In addition to this, there’s always learning to be done about other communities, recognizing that some communities require understanding. This is an important step towards allyship.
What makes Interac a unique place to work?
Interac is a dual-focused company: both tech and product-centric, with a strong banking aspect. Given these facets, Interac maintains a close-knit community atmosphere and a welcoming environment. People here really get to know each other; it’s lively and you often hear laughter echoing through the hallways in office and online in video calls. Our leadership is accessible to everyone, which adds to the sense of camaraderie. These qualities are crucial and contribute to making Interac a truly great company to work for.
