Nadine Cyr
Ingenuity's longest-standing employee, served as Manager, Alberta Ingenuity Awards Programs and then as Director, HQP Programs until April 2009.
Nadine Cyr discovered the joys of strategizing to win at a young age. She began playing competitive darts at age eight and after participating in national youth championships twice, became a champion dart player at age 19.
She realized the fun of the game–for her–was in mastering the calculations needed to win, not in refining her technique. Give Nadine, who manages four of Alberta Ingenuity’s awards programs, a problem and she’s like a dog with a bone–not easily deterred. She confesses that while her logical mind and critical thinking skills may drive her friends crazy, on the job–they are terrific assets.
Nadine chose to study civil engineering at university because she was interested in building structures–she thought she might progress to study architecture. Degree in hand, Nadine first forayed into field work but soon discovered she could put her talents to better use. After a series of administrative jobs, she was hired by Alberta Ingenuity, (then the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Science and Engineering Research), as an administrative assistant. A series of promotions led to her current position as program manager where she’s enjoying her ability to shape the organization. “I can actually make them happen,” she says of the good ideas that come her way.
Nadine is clear about what she wants to achieve for Alberta Ingenuity. “I want to have an impact on science and technology being advanced and to give money to as many people as possible,” she says. Her conscientious focus on improving Alberta Ingenuity programs supports the funding body’s reputation for its timely responsiveness to both research and business interests. The hub for program communications with the universities, Nadine acts as a sounding board for stakeholders and follows up by researching all concerns and suggestions.
As Alberta Ingenuity’s longest-standing employee, she also provides valuable historical continuity and broad perspective. With the corporate memory bank in her hands, Nadine recently managed a comprehensive overhaul of program evaluation criteria that was well-received despite significant changes in focus and objectives.
“My vision is to do the best for the client,” says Nadine. “If we’re missing a key piece to a program, I want to hear about it. I’m open to where programs can go and keen to create partnerships with other agencies.” Every organization should be so lucky to have such a young woman on staff, driven by an obsession with mastering the art of strategic thinking.
- Born in Vancouver, grows up in Kamloops
Starts playing darts at age 8; at 10, is a better strategist than most 18-year-old players - Moves to Alberta, first St. Paul then St. Albert
- Plays darts competitively through high school and goes to national tournaments
- Graduates from high school and moves to Edmonton
- Graduates with B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, University of Alberta; plans eventually to study architecture
- Develops tendonitis in her dart-throwing wrist
- Moves to Vancouver and works at on-site engineering jobs
- Runs out of money, moves back to Alberta, works as a temp
- Hired by Alberta Ingenuity
- Promoted to Program Coordinator
- Promoted to Manager, Awards Programs