Heather Davidson

Heather Davidson

Job Description

My job is kind of like having a bunch of different jobs all rolled into one.
Some days, I’m someone’s first boss. Especially in the summer, I work with staff who are just starting out, helping them figure out how to lead, how to handle tricky situations, and how to actually feel confident being in charge.
Other days, I’m basically solving puzzles. I take a bunch of information, like surveys or program data, and turn it into something that actually makes sense and helps people make better decisions. So I get to play with numbers and then tell the story behind them.
I also get to run trainings where people are up, moving around, laughing, and learning at the same time. And sometimes I’m training the people who will go on to train others, which is pretty cool.
Through my HIGH FIVE and other work, I get to travel, meet people from all over the country, and see how different communities run their programs. No two places are exactly the same.
The best part is that even though the work changes all the time, it always comes back to people. I get to build relationships, connect people with each other, and help young people and staff feel more confident and capable.
So it’s a mix of leadership, problem solving, a bit of creativity, and a lot of working with people. And honestly, it’s never boring.

Relevant School Subjects

English

Areas Of Expertise

Education & Social Services

Career Story

My path was not straight at all, and that’s probably the most important part.
In high school, I thought I had it figured out. I wanted to be a journalist. When I chose my university, yes, it was far from home, which felt important at the time, but if I’m being honest, a big part of the decision was the music scene. It was incredible, and I really wanted to be part of it. That felt like a good enough reason to move my whole life.
After that, things got a bit all over the place. I tried different jobs, made some choices that didn’t work out, and had a few moments where I genuinely had no idea what I was doing next.
But I kept saying yes to opportunities, especially the ones that felt a little uncomfortable or different. Camps and recreation kept showing up in my life, and I realised I loved the energy of it. You get to be active, work with people, solve problems on the fly, and no two days look the same.
Over time, I started taking on more responsibility, leading teams, and getting more training. Eventually, I became the person who trains other leaders, which was never part of the original plan, but ended up being a really good fit.
Looking back, my path looks messy. In the moment, it felt messy too. But all of those experiences added up to something that actually makes sense now.
So if your plan changes, or you don’t have one yet, you’re not behind. You’re just in the part where you’re figuring it out.