Getting to Know: Our New Business Operations Manager

A giant welcome to our brand new Business Operations Manager, Lorraine Chanasyk! 

Lorraine was previously an insolvency and restructuring paralegal, focusing on receiverships, bankruptcies, bankruptcy proposals, proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. She officially retired from legal for 18 hours… she took a relaxing nap and traveled… all the way up to Edmonton, to start her journey with us at TNT! 

Let’s get to know Lorraine. 

TNT: Lorraine! Welcome to the team!! 

LC: Thank you! 

TNT: Let’s dive right in. Tell us a little bit about yourself! 

LC: Well, like you mentioned above, I was a paralegal for the majority of my career.  I grew up in very small-town-Alberta, then spent my formative years in Edmonton and moved to Calgary over 20 years ago. Calgary is business-forward, yet it is steeped in ranching and western tradition, and it acknowledges the traditional lands of the Treaty 7 people. It’s ranked third in North America for the most sunshine (which is most welcomed when it is -30).

I’m also a huge patron and supporter of the arts, and enjoy an eclectic, multi-genre collection of music. I’m all about fitness and sports, particularly football and baseball. I also enjoy photography and spending time in the mountains. I’m only 70 minutes away from the gorgeous Rockies! I also have two children currently attending the U of A, and a dachshund named Finnigan.

TNT: Finnigan is the cutest! He’s popped up in a few meetings and I just think he’s adorable. 

Ok, let’s talk about what excites you about the startup ecosystem. 

LC: Startups breathe life into so many varied and diverse ecosystems. They demonstrate creativity, ingenuity, grit and focus. And those very qualities and principals have defined the essence of the people who built the Prairies, and are proud to call it  home.

TNT: 100%. I definitely agree. What are you most excited to do first? 

LC: What’s most attractive to me is the chance to create something, from a business organization perspective, that will really work for the company to scale and grow. I’ll be able to put into place policies, procedures and processes that will further enhance people’s ability to work within our organization. 

TNT: Yes! I can definitely tell that you’ll be able to help us create a playbook to allow TNT to grow even more. Ok, now we get down to the fun questions. What’s your favourite drink? 

LC: I love gin. I actually create infused gins to be enjoyed throughout the spring/summer months. I found a recipe for a rhubarb gin years ago, and now I make rhubarb gins and vodkas, as well as cherry-infused vodkas. Super refreshing for spring and summer months.  

And then in the cooler months, my favourite drinks are single malt scotch and bourbon; particularly, Maple Whiskey Sours and Old Fashioneds.

TNT: Those gins sound amazing! I’ll have to take a page out of your book and try it myself. Do you have a favourite place to eat in Calgary?

LC: Oh, that’s a tough one! The food scene in Calgary is so vibrant. Some of my favs are Alloy, River Cafe, (those views!), Big Fish and Calcutta Cricket Club - they’re all awesome!!

TNT: Fun! Alright, last question - what is a random fact about you? 

LC: I had the honour to perform for and meet Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip at the patriation of the Canadian Constitution. 

TNT: That’s SO COOL! Lorraine, I had a blast talking to you and I can’t wait to work with you more. 

LC: Me too!