Darlene Dove

Meet Darlene Dove

Born in Newfoundland, Darlene joined the Boardwalk family after moving to Edmonton in 1997. She and her husband moved into an apartment building, which was eventually purchased and transformed into Boardwalk’s beautiful Meadowview Manor.

After seeing a part-time Customer Service Representative job posting in her community, Darlene applied and joined the Boardwalk team in 1998. Fast forward to today, and Darlene is the Director of Northern Alberta Operations at Boardwalk and part of a talented leadership team.

In addition to working tirelessly to ensure that her team has the proper resources to excel, Darlene’s is continually working to develop a clear vision for the type of leader she wants to be. She has succeeded because she works hard, and is prepared to be brave.

What are some traits you think successful leaders possess?

Honesty, integrity, accountability, loyalty, empathy, commitment, and passion. The list could go on and on, but I feel like the greatest strength is the ability to listen to others. I feel this is a skill that often gets overlooked.

Who inspired you and why?

My mother. She has overcome very tough times but has always found the courage to stay strong and kind. If I could be half the women she is, I would be happy.

If you had one superpower what would it be and why?

I’ve been asked this question before, so I’ve had some time to reflect. If I could have any superpower, it would be the power to heal.

What are, from your perspective, the most prominent challenges women face in leadership roles?

Being treated equally is at the forefront, but one of the greatest challenges I see in women today is their level of confidence in their abilities. Often times, women don’t have the amount of confidence they should. No one should ever be afraid to speak up and voice their opinion.

Looking back, what’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

I think that when people give advice, it’s up to the individual to take it or leave it. I think the worst piece of advice I’ve received was to do the bare minimum just to collect a paycheck. If you go in with this mindset, you’re setting yourself up for failure. The best piece of advice I’ve received is to do something you love and to Love Always. Trust me, it makes all the difference.

What are you doing to grow and develop as a leader continually?

I get a lot of inspiration from books, and I think collaborating with other leaders, teams and departments can be very helpful.

What advice would you give a young woman starting off in a leadership role?

My advice would be to never stop pursuing your career goals and to never give up. Have a vision, be confident and strong, and always be true to yourself. Never give up on your dreams, because they do come true.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I’d like to share my favourite quote from Mother Teresa: “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”