The After (Business) School Special

Changing the Current Perception of Human Resources with Deidre Lane & Candance Walz of OptimaHR

Dedrie Lane and Candance Walz of OptimaHR, chat with host Carlee Snow about all things:  * The mission, vision, values and impact of OptimaHR  * Their working relationship turned friendship and the culture they’re building for the business * The aspects of the business they each specialize and collaborate on  * The innovative offerings, like employee experience mapping and wellness training, that sets them apart * How they stay up to date with innovations and changes within the HR industry  * Changing the current perception of Human Resources (and making performance reviews FUN!) Deidre Lane and Candace Walz of OptimaHR discuss their career journeys, the values driving their work, and the innovative ways they are transforming human resources. Deidre Lane, CEO of OptimaHR, and Candace Walz, Employee Experience Expert, share how their professional collaboration evolved into a strong partnership and how that synergy informs the culture they are building within their business. They delve into OptimaHR’s mission to provide human-centered, forward-thinking HR solutions—rooted in integrity, progressive thinking, and sustainable growth. Throughout the conversation, they highlight the aspects of the business they specialize in and where they collaborate, offering insights into key offerings like employee experience mapping and wellness training that set OptimaHR apart. Deidre and Candace also discuss how they stay ahead of industry changes and innovations, and how they’re reshaping the perception of HR—transforming performance reviews into engaging, impactful processes that drive both employee and organizational success. Show Notes: Connect with Deidre and learn more about her work: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/deidre-lane [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deidre-lane]  Connect with Candace and learn more about her work: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/candace-walz [https://www.linkedin.com/in/candace-walz] Twello LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trytwello/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/trytwello/]  Follow and Learn more about OptimaHR: OptimaHR:  https://optimahr.ca/ [https://optimahr.ca/] OptimaHR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimahr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimahr/] OptimaHR Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/optima_hr/ [https://www.instagram.com/optima_hr/]  Connect with The After Business School Special Instagram: @afterbusinesspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/afterbusinesspodcast/] Join the community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14250411/ [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14250411/] Stay in the know: http://eepurl.com/io8Z6A [http://eepurl.com/io8Z6A] This podcast is in partnership with the Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan.

Mindfulness and Corporate Wellness: Innovating Employee Experience and Well-Being with Candace Walz

Candace Walz is an Employee Experience Expert at OptimaHR, where she leads transformative workplace culture through innovative HR strategies, employee wellness programs, and mindfulness practices. Candace’s career journey reflects her ability to evolve and thrive, transitioning from marketing and sales into human resources and people-focused roles. Candace’s professional path is deeply informed by her own mental health journey. Having navigated the challenges of anxiety, she brings empathy and authenticity to her work, using her experiences to inspire meaningful change within corporate environments.  Through her work at OptimaHR, Candace is helping organizations see the measurable benefits of investing in their employees' well-being. By blending mindfulness with cutting-edge HR practices, she has become a trusted resource for companies looking to enhance workplace satisfaction and achieve sustainable growth. A certified Organizational Mindfulness Instructor with Twello, Candace facilitates workshops and training programs that introduce mindfulness as a core element of workplace culture. These initiatives emphasize the importance of presence, resilience, and emotional well-being, demonstrating how mindfulness can lead to improved decision-making, stronger teams, and a more connected workforce. Her training sessions empower employees to manage stress, enhance focus, and build a sense of purpose, transforming how businesses approach corporate wellness. Candace Walz is an Edwards School of Business alumni (B.Comm. 2015)   Show Notes: Connect with Candace and learn more about her work: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/candace-walz [https://www.linkedin.com/in/candace-walz]  OptimaHR:  https://optimahr.ca/ [https://optimahr.ca/]  OptimaHR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimahr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimahr/]  OptimaHR Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/optima_hr/ [https://www.instagram.com/optima_hr/]  Twello LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trytwello/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/trytwello/]    Connect with The After Business School Special Instagram: @afterbusinesspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/afterbusinesspodcast/] Join the community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14250411/ [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14250411/] Stay in the know: http://eepurl.com/io8Z6A [http://eepurl.com/io8Z6A] This podcast is in partnership with the Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan.

Redefining HR: Innovating People & Operations Strategy and Launching OptimaHR with Deidre Lane

Deidre Lane is an entrepreneur, HR strategist, and business leader helping organizations align people with purpose. As the Founder and Owner of OptimaHR, she empowers small and medium-sized businesses with tailored, innovative HR solutions that transform people management into a strategic driver of success. Deidre’s entrepreneurial story began during her time at the Edwards School of Business. While still a student, she gained hands-on business experience by supporting her husband in launching and growing his construction company. This early exposure to entrepreneurship taught her the value of resourcefulness, adaptability, and the power of combining people-focused leadership with operational efficiency. Her career took a pivotal turn when she joined zu, a leading digital design and development agency, where she spent over a decade. As Director of People Strategies, Deidre revolutionized the company’s approach to HR, transforming it into a core business function that supported recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and operational excellence. She developed innovative processes, coached leaders through complex change initiatives, and created structures that prioritized employee well-being while driving organizational results. Her ability to position HR as a strategic partner earned her a reputation as a trailblazer in the field. Deidre reflects on key turning points in her career, including the courage it took to leave a role she loved to pursue a new challenge. She discusses how she recognized her growing desire to step out on her own, ultimately founding OptimaHR, where she now helps other entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of managing people in a way that aligns with their unique business goals. Deidre’s leadership style has evolved over the years, shaped by experiences that span managing restaurant teams in her early career to guiding business owners as an HR consultant. She is deeply passionate about building environments where employees thrive and businesses succeed. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that strategic HR isn’t just about policies and procedures—it’s about unlocking the full potential of people to create lasting impact. Show Notes: Connect with Deidre and learn more about her work: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/deidre-lane [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deidre-lane]  OptimaHR:  https://optimahr.ca/ [https://optimahr.ca/]  OptimaHR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimahr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimahr/]  OptimaHR Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/optima_hr/ [https://www.instagram.com/optima_hr/]    Connect with The After Business School Special Instagram: @afterbusinesspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/afterbusinesspodcast/] Join the community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14250411/ [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14250411/] Stay in the know: http://eepurl.com/io8Z6A [http://eepurl.com/io8Z6A] This podcast is in partnership with the Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan.

Salon Scaling Success: Disrupting the Salon Industry with Transformative Tech Solutions, Purpose-Drive Leadership, and Achieving Career Milestones with Michelle Fergusson

Michelle Fergusson is the Head of Marketing at SalonScale Technology Inc., a role she has grown into after joining the company at an early stage. A passionate and strategic marketing leader, Michelle has played a pivotal role in helping salons streamline operations, improve profitability, and scale their businesses through the power of SalonScale’s innovative technology. Michelle dives deep into her professional journey, starting with the origins of SalonScale and how her career trajectory mirrored the company’s growth. Joining SalonScale when the company was still in its infancy, she quickly proved herself as a crucial member of the team, developing and executing marketing strategies that have driven impressive customer acquisition and brand visibility. Today, she leads the marketing department with a focus on customer-centric growth, brand development, and innovative go-to-market strategies. Michelle’s role at SalonScale has also allowed her to explore succession planning and strategic leadership as the company continues to scale. She shares insights on navigating the fast-paced nature of the tech industry while building systems for sustainable growth. Her expertise in ensuring salons can streamline their operations—from weighing color products to tracking costs—has had a significant impact on business owners looking to become more data-driven and profitable. As a young leader in the tech space, Michelle is candid about the pressures and challenges she’s faced. She discusses how she found her “why” in the midst of a high-paced environment, achieving substantial career milestones in a short span. Her leadership continues to be a driving force behind SalonScale’s mission to empower salons globally.  Michelle Fergusson is an Edwards School of Business alumni (B.Comm. 2019)   Show Notes: Connect with Michelle and learn more about her work:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-fergusson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-fergusson/] SalonScale: https://www.salonscale.com/ [https://www.salonscale.com/]?  SalonScale Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salonscale/ [https://www.instagram.com/salonscale/]    Connect with The After Business School Special Instagram: @afterbusinesspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/afterbusinesspodcast/]  Join the community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14250411/ [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14250411/] Stay in the know: http://eepurl.com/io8Z6A [http://eepurl.com/io8Z6A]  This podcast is in partnership with the Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan.

Balance Sheets to Portfolios: Leveraging Accounting Expertise for Wealth Management Success with Chris Kostyk

Chris Kostyk is a Portfolio Manager at MKTS Wealth Partners – iA Private Wealth, where he integrates his comprehensive expertise in public and private accounting with wealth management.  His early career experience in the public accounting/ tax with Deloitte as well as private sector accounting and corporate finance with BHP built a strong foundation in financial analysis, strategic decision-making, and work ethic, preparing him for the dynamic world of portfolio management. These diverse roles have sharpened his ability to navigate complex financial landscapes, providing a broad perspective that benefits his clients today. Now as an independent advisor at MKTS Wealth Partners, Chris embraces the increased leadership responsibilities that come with managing his own portfolio of clients and staff. His role goes beyond investment management—he helps guide his clients through critical decisions related to retirement, estate planning, and tax optimization. Chris places immense value on building trusted relationships, ensuring his clients are not only financially secure but also confident in their financial plans. Chris’s journey from public accounting to portfolio management exemplifies his adaptability, leadership, and passion for helping others succeed financially. His insights on wealth management, honed from years of experience and continuous learning, make him a valuable resource for anyone looking to secure their financial future. Show Notes: Connect with Chris and learn more about his work:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskostyk/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskostyk/] MKTS Wealth Partners – iA Private Wealth: https://mktswealthpartners.com/  [https://mktswealthpartners.com/]   Connect with The After Business School Special Instagram: @afterbusinesspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/afterbusinesspodcast/]  Join the community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14250411/ [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14250411/] Stay in the know: http://eepurl.com/io8Z6A [http://eepurl.com/io8Z6A]  This podcast is in partnership with the Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan.