OLGA POPOK

What brought you to KPU and your program of study?

I came to Canada with a background in economics and management and a clear sense of where I wanted to take my career — toward people. I've always been drawn to the human side of business: how teams are built, how talent develops, how culture can either lift an organization or quietly hold it back. KPU's Business Management program with an HR focus was the right bridge for me. It was practical and applied rather than purely theoretical, it was grounded in the BC and Canadian employment context I'd actually be working in, and it set me on the path to my CPHR designation. It gave me both the local credibility and the foundation to step confidently into the HR profession here.

Can you briefly describe your current position and your main day to day responsibilities?

I run an independent HR consulting practice, partnering with companies across different sectors to build and scale their people functions. A single day might start with an executive or niche recruitment search — sourcing, interviewing, negotiating offers — then move into designing an onboarding or performance-review framework, or coaching a leader through a difficult people decision. Much of my work lives at the intersection of strategy and the very hands-on, human side of HR: helping organizations hire well, set up their systems and policies properly, and build cultures where people genuinely want to stay. Before going independent, I led the People & Culture function at a biotech innovation organization, so I bring that in-house leadership perspective into every engagement.

Which skills, knowledge, or experiences from KPU have been most valuable in your career so far?

Two things have really stayed with me. First, the applied, real-world approach — we worked through actual HR scenarios and BC employment standards rather than abstractions, so I could contribute meaningfully from day one instead of learning entirely on the job. Second, the breadth: recruitment, total rewards, performance management, compliance, employee relations. That full-spectrum foundation is exactly what's allowed me to build entire HR functions from the ground up for clients, because I understand how all the pieces fit together. The program also reinforced something I still believe deeply — that good HR is equal parts sharp business sense and genuine care for people.

What advice would you give current KPU students who want to build a successful career after graduation?

Invest in relationships early — your career is built on people who know your work and your character, not just your résumé. Say yes to stretch opportunities before you feel fully "ready," because that's exactly where the growth happens. Stay curious and keep formalizing your learning; certifications like the CPHR open doors, but the habit of continually developing is what keeps them open. And find people who'll mentor you — then, once you're established, turn around and do the same for someone coming up behind you. Some of the most rewarding moments of my career have come from coaching and developing others, and I'd love nothing more than to see this generation of KPU students build careers they're truly proud of. The door swings both ways, and giving back is part of the job.