Sierra Van Der Meer | CanNor Yukon | April 29, 2020

Join Sierra Van der Meer, Regional Director of Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (Yukon) as she talks about working with Yukon entrepreneurs through the Covid-19 Pandemic.

(1:20) Sierra comments on what she's learned about CanNor (Yukon) during the pandemic and government's ability to respond and adapt quickly.

(2:30) Sierra talks about the CanNor's new relief program providing fixed-cost grants to Yukon businesses. She talks about working with Yukon government to collaborate, cooperate and innovate in how CanNor is serving Yukon businesses through the pandemic.

(4:15) Sierra talks about what she's learned as a leader during the past couple of months -- being kind, gracious and finding strength in teamwork.

(6:44) Sierra comments on finding time to get outside as a source of wellness but also accepting and acknowledging just how hard this situation is for us all emotionally -- and allowing ourselves to be okay with the idea that things aren't okay.

(8:50) (Spoiler Alert!) Sierra acknowledges that it's actually it her cell phone number that's on everything... so she's the voice on the other end of the line when business owner phone call for assistance. She asks Yukon business owners to reach out if they need help and she her team will do the best they can to find the needed information and solutions.

(11:30) Sierra finds strength in just how resourceful the Yukon is and the advantages to doing business in the north -- like our ability to collaborate.

(12:30) Sierra acknowledges that one of the way she's managing stress is through online shopping and Yukon businesses are providing an amazing array of products, services and take-out food to ease her anxiety. She finds huge inspiration seeing how Yukoners are rallying behind Yukon businesses.

(14:30) Sierra acknowledges just how hard Yukoners are working to help each other out and how heartwarming it is. She thinks that it is our ability to collaborate and work together that will pull us through this pandemic.

(15:30) Sierra contemplates that the next 5 months won't be "business as usual" and is excited to see how Yukoners will step up to embrace change and build great new things.

(19:00) Sierra recommends "Baby Shark" on repeat to help manage work-life balance when you have two children under the age of four at home and dreams about having time (future time) to binge watch Netflix and cross-stitch.