Meet the Mentors - Shelley Gunn
Our next mentor that we are happy to introduce is Shelley Gunn! Shelley is one of the newer mentors to our group and we are so happy to have her on board!
1. What is the Best mistake you have ever made in your career?
The best mistake I ever made in my career was to not listen to all of the women who said don’t learn to drive that piece of machinery or learn that skill or sit at that table because if you do you will have to do that job.
2. What have been your biggest “ah-ha” or learning moments throughout your career?
I know more than I think.
I bring a lot to the table
I can do hard things
3. What external organizations have you been involved with that helped build success for you?
I worked for the Canadian Red Cross as a coordinator for RespetED. I learnt about managing people, funding, working as a team, program and policy development, fundraising, and budgeting.
Local community board that helped me get to know people when I first moved to my community.
I volunteer for organizations that are not farm related for example Vicitm’s Services because it helps me see that there are other ways to do things in the world and there are people who sometimes just need someone to listen to them.
4. What is your main tool in managing life while cultivating your career?
Coffee..... Farming is so weather dependent and things have to be done when they need to be done. Our son spent endless hours in tractors and combines when he was young and lots of ‘special’ days get missed. I think being extremely time efficient, not being afraid of hard work, carving out time for the things I need to do for my own health, lowering my expectations that things have to be a certain way, sometimes good enough is enough and keeping what is important at the forefront. I have been at it 30 years and have come so far, but lots of room to keep growing.
5. Advice or words of wisdom
Do something that scares you every single day. Constantly pushing yourself to do things you think you cannot do helps build your confidence and gives you a voice.
6. Do you have any recommendations for books or podcast episodes you feel would be beneficial for our members?
Books - Atomic Habits, Let Them, Born to Run, Breath, Between Two Kingdoms, From the Ashes, Lit: a memoir, Run Towards the Danger, On our Best Behaviour, The Road Years, Truth Telling, Open Heart, Open Mind, Life in the City of Dirty Water, Braving the Wilderness, Five Little Indians, Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men, Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol, True Biz, Here One Moment
Podcasts - Smartless, Good Hang, Diary of a CEO, Huberman Lab, Unlonely, Afternoon Snack, Hit Play Not Pause, Chasing Excellence