Week 33: Christine Miles
Client Engagement
Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I currently work at Scotiabank and lead Client Engagement for our Global Banking and Markets group. In this capacity, I leverage Scotiabank’s partner properties across arts and hockey to create meaningful and valuable experiences with clients. It helps that I have a genuine passion for the game of hockey that touches most aspects of my life.
From a young age I was always involved with sport. Baseball, soccer, rugby, ringette…you name it. But where I really found my stride was in the game of hockey. I grew up in Guelph where there was no house league or intermural hockey for girls, so I helped create one. With the help of some mentors we built Guelph’s first girl’s high school hockey league at the age of 17. I went on to play hockey at the University of Guelph where I really learned to love the game (even then I knew coaching was in my future). We went on to become OUA champions and attended CIAU’s 4 years in a row. I also had fun playing semi-pro women’s hockey in Lugano Switzerland for 1 year.
How has sport helped you develop skills for your work today?
I am 100% confident to say that sports has played a dramatic role in shaping how I approach my job. Especially the notion of “team” sports and the importance of having diverse talent and background to form a well-rounded team. Everyone brings something different to the job at work and it’s important to approach problem solving from differing viewpoints. Similar in sport, you need different types of players to form a championship team.
How has sport helped you be a better leader?
To me, the best leaders step up and shine in times of difficulty. You can tell a lot about someone’s character by witnessing how they react to a negative situation. The same can be said about sport. Your actions on the field, rink, diamond speak louder than words – especially when the odds are stacked against you. True leaders in sport carry a team in times of adversity.
Why did you continue to stay involved in sport? How has sport continued to have a positive impact on you?
First, competitive sports is the best outlet for me to stay fit. I find it much easier and more fun to burn calories while battling it out with friends rather than in a gym. That’s just me.
I continue to stay involved with sport through my family. I am now married with 3 children. I still play ice hockey and ball hockey, but my new passion is teaching kids the power of sport. I coach my 2 eldest boys’ respective hockey teams with the Ted Reeve Hockey Association in the east end of Toronto. I am currently Head Coach of the Atom A GTHL team and Head Coach of the Novice Select NYHL team. In the warmer months, I coach both the Novice and Tyke All Star Ball hockey teams heading to provincials. I also act as the Novice convenor for the Withrow Park Ball Hockey League and I sit on the board of directors for the WPBHL. This is one of Canada’s largest ball hockey organizations with over 1,300 kids, women and men involved. My 4-year-old daughter, Jamie, recently joined the league and I am eager to get involved with her as well!
I ultimately want to be a positive role model for young people and young women to better themselves through the power of sport and teamwork.