Unstoppable Account Executives like Carmen drive success at Northwestel
“When I interviewed at Northwestel I was six months pregnant and nervous that I wouldn’t get the job. I was overjoyed when I received a call the next day offering me the position.”
Carmen Kootoo’s career at Northwestel has been anything but stagnant over the last 26 years. She sought the encouragement and support – including multiple training trips outside of Nunavut – to move and grow throughout the business, making her a diverse employee with a strong telecommunications background.
“I’ve gone from residential to business customer service, to sales and then project management before landing my current role as Account Executive for some of our biggest clients including the Government of Nunavut. I feel great about where I’m at now. My current role is a perfect fit.”
It’s on the strength and capability of women like Carmen that make a team successful, so it’s no surprise her Manager noticed a great employee when she walked into the interview.
“When I interviewed at Northwestel I was six months pregnant and nervous that I wouldn’t get the job. I was shocked when I received a call the next day offering me a position. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my company supporting me. They’re behind me 150%.”
Carmen visiting her daughter in Yellowknife.
Living in Iqaluit, Carmen says she hasn’t experienced much gender inequality but she’s happy to see Northwestel recognizing International Women’s Day. “As an Indigenous woman it means even more. We (Inuit) are a matriarchal culture, not just in community but when it comes to women in senior leadership roles. It means a lot that Northwestel stands behind women too.”
Carmen works directly with Indigenous companies as part of her account portfolio and says the last few years in particular have been an exciting time to work in telecommunications in the North. “To be a part of the Northwestel family when we rolled out high speed Internet and LTE wireless to every community in Nunavut was really special.”
Carmen overlooking the Sylvia Grinnell River in Nunavut.
#ChoosetoChallenge this International Women’s Day
From celebrating northern women in telecommunications and technology to recognizing the achievements and contributions of our female identified employees, International Women’s Day (IWD) is a time for Northwestel to take a step back and say “Thank you”.
We encourage our northern communities and leaders to challenge inequality and confront bias. On March 8, and every other day of the year, we #choosetochallenge because from challenge comes change. Want to share your own IWD moment? Learn more about this year’s “choose to challenge” theme, then share a photo on social media using the hashtag #choosetochallenge.
Continue your IWD 2021 celebrations by reading our other employee highlight stories:
