She has only been here for just shy of a year, but Genumark is going miss Jean Stefanazzi, Manager of People & Culture, when she goes on mat leave in the next week. Since coming to Genumark, Jean has been a rock for us, creating new important initiatives, giving out advice and smiles all day long.
Jean was kind enough to let us take up some of her busy day to turn the spotlight on her.
JEAN, WHAT DO YOU DO ALL DAY?
Nothing! – Just kidding. There is not really a typical day. Every day my To Do list changes. For example, today, I looked after our recruitment. I am also creating better training programs, be it for our policies, development, training, etc. Currently, that is focused on the on-boarding of new hires.
The other fun part is just dealing with whomever comes through my door, either to ask for advice, mentoring, coaching, or someone just looking for a friendly ear.
WHAT IS YOUR HOMETOWN?
I was born in the Philippines in Manila. I came to Canada when I was about 10 and lived in Scarborough – Represent!
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THE PROMO INDUSTRY?
I was in hospitality doing HR. Similar to the type of HR stuff I do here, like recruitment, training, benefits, and onboarding but in a hotel setting. It was definitely different in terms of the actual work but the atmosphere is similar to here – a feeling of family!
COOLEST PROMOTION PRODUCT YOU HAVE WORKED ON AT GENUMARK?
One of my favourites I have seen was a nice branded desk lamp that was also a wireless charger!
DREAM JOB AS A KID? WHAT WAS YOUR YOUR FIRST JOB?
When I was a kid I wanted to be a teacher. That was because my aunt, who had a hand in raising me, was a teacher herself. I wanted to be like her because she would always get presents from her students!
My first job was at a movie theatre in Bayview Village. I worked at the concession stand. AND YES, I got free tickets, free popcorn (always went home smelling like popcorn), free candy, free nachos… The works! I would watch pieces of movies during my 30 minute breaks. Would take so long for me to see a full movie.
WHAT WOULD YOU NAME THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF YOUR LIFE?
This Is Me, Take It Or Leave It
IF YOU COULD LEARN ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Something fun would be surfing. Educational-wise I would like to relearn French and other languages.
WHAT CHORE DO YOU HATE DOING?
Cooking. It takes me forever to come up with something! Even if the fridge is full I complain we have nothing. My husband was a chef so it takes him 30 minutes to make something good.
INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GENUMARK?
I love reading. Movies. Spending time with my big family (we are pretty close). Eating and shopping!
WHAT FOOD DO YOU HATE?
Bittermelon is the first thing that comes to mind. I remember having it as a kid and my grandfather would always tell my sister and I to eat it but immediately swallow and wash it down with water.
THREE WORDS TO DEFINE YOU?
Loyal. Optimistic. The last one would be Go-with-the-flow!
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
Being happy and content with where you are at that moment at that time.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Buy the shoe! Kidding. I would actually tell my younger self to not take yourself too seriously. There is more than one path to what “ideal life” is.
WHAT IS THE MOST EMBARRASSING THING YOU ARE WILLING TO ADMIT?
When I was about 7 or 8, I was in the park with friends, including a boy I had a crush on. Long story short – I face planted after doing some flips on the bars right in front of my crush! I was completely mortified at the time but played it off like everything was ok.
PHOBIAS?
Birds. Any birds. Chicken to ducks to turkeys. Even the little swallows outside.
WHAT HOGWARTS HOUSE DO YOU BELONG TO?
Gryffindor obviously!!
THREE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR LIFE?
Well, so far the three would be:
Birth of my first daughter, Evelyn. Getting married in Jamaica. Figuring out what I wanted to do as a career.
HOW MUCH COFFEE OR TEA DO YOU DRINK A DAY?
When I wasn’t pregnant, I would have a coffee in the morning, two or three teas during the day, and another tea in the evening. Some days might get more coffees sprinkled in, here and there
PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA; DOES IT BELONG?
Of course it does!
WHAT IS THE BEST DISH YOU CAN MAKE?
Even though I don’t like cooking, I think I make a mean grilled cheese.
WORDS OF ADVICE TO OTHERS?
Just keep swimming!
