Landmark Cinemas - Celebrating International Woman's Day
This International Women’s Day, we sat down with leading women from Landmark. We wanted to hear from women across Landmark - from our corporate office to our theatre teams - as the women representing these areas of our business are a critical part of doing what we do best: sharing our love of movies with Movie Lovers across Canada.
When discussing career growth and memorable moments in their respective careers, people often cite role models, allies, and mentors whose advice has guided them to their successes or helped to overcome their challenges. In the spirit of International Women’s Day, we asked the women at Landmark to share advice they’ve received in their careers and advice they’d share with others and what allyship means to them.
Read on to learn about the careers, advice, and idea of allyship from six inspiring women at Landmark.
Suzy Mirdawi
Suzy was bitten by the Cinema bug 25 years ago and has never looked back. She remembers seeing a beautiful brand-new Famous Players Silvercity (the first one in Canada), and knew she had to work there. Cut to 25 years later, and she’s still in the cinema industry!
What is the most important piece of advice you've been given in your career?
It won't be easy but it will be worth it.
What is the most important message you want to send out to young women embarking on their careers?
Stay true to yourself, work hard, be genuine and always really care about the people.
What does allyship mean to you?
To be able to have a voice and challenge the status quo.
Frances Liamzon
After nearly a decade of work in the fast-food industry, of which Frances is extremely proud, she reflected on what else she could do for growth in her career. She came across a listing for a General Manager Position at Landmark. Frances had the feeling that she needed to step outside of her comfort zone, try new things. Giddy with excitement, she forwarded her resume, and fortunately, was chosen to fill the position. After six months, Frances is admiring the smell of the popcorn, gazing at how movies are made and built to play on the big screens, and getting excited about engaging with the community in promoting her theatre. From having ketchup in her blood, Frances says that butter has been infused into her veins, and she’s loving it! Frances is officially a Movie lover!
What is the most important piece of advice you've been given in your career?
I previously trained a McDonald's owner operator, and when he was ready to take over his restaurants, he gave me the most astounding peace of advice, which I will never forget. "Frances, you don't just accept a break-even result. You are constantly striving for an exceptional result in all circumstances. Being one-of-a-kind and outstanding should always be your goal”
What is the most important message you want to send out to young women embarking on their careers?
Success in any career will never be like a candy bar found in a supermarket. Passion, dedication, self-initiative, and willingness are required. Being proactive and hands-on is essential. If you want to start a successful career, you must always cast the shadow of a good leader and understand the true meaning of accountability.
What does allyship mean to you?
Allyship means that you are at the forefront of promoting a workplace that foster transparency, values, cultural indifference, dignity, safety, and harmony for all. You support and create a workplace in which all employees are respected and heard by management. You advocate for change that is necessary for everyone. You encourage workplace allyship by encouraging education/training, paying attention, and providing appropriate acknowledgement. You can be an excellent ally by emphasizing support, empathy, and sharing the spotlight.
Lynn Amman
Lynn started her career outside of Landmark, as an assistant to the branch manager of Astral Films.
What is the most important piece of advice you've been given in your career?
When you hit a wall, find another way around it.
What is the most important message you want to send out to young women embarking on their careers?
Make financial independence one of your goals. Do not leave yourself in a position to rely on another for basic necessities. Only then will you be truly free.
What does allyship mean to you?
Being an ally to a cause where strength in numbers matters or a cause that is beyond my own experience.
Robin Isnor
Robin joined Landmark Cinemas as an HR Associate as her first job after her undergraduate.
Most recently she’s returned to Landmark after a 12-month maternity leave, coming back to the same team in a new role. Robin returned to a team and a leader that has allowed her space to figure out who she is now, as a working mother, and how she can show up and do the work that she absolutely loves to do.
What is the most important piece of advice you've been given in your career?
Accept that your ‘plan’ may change - Having an end goal will always keep you focused but knowing that your mind and opportunities will change is part of the adventure. Getting from one point to the other in a straight line is the dream and incredibly rare - you need to plan enough to feel confident in moving forward but not so much to allow room for flexibility. You may even surprise yourself with a path you didn’t plan on, taking you to exactly where you want to be.
What is the most important message you want to send out to young women embarking on their careers?
Know your worth outside of work - Work should not define everything about you. When you are enthusiastic about your career, it is easy to confuse being good at your job with your value as person. Your worth is not defined by where you are on your career ladder. So, with that I say: try to maintain a good balance of aiming for your goals and the things you like to do for pure delight that are nothing to do with work.
What does allyship mean to you?
Allyship is being an active and consistent advocate for minimizing bias, increasing inclusion, and advancing equity in situations where they can directly impact people. Allyship fosters a culture of inclusion in which everyone can show up authentically and do their best work.
Ashley Kruger
Ashley started as a Landmark Theatre Manager in West Kelowna, BC back in 2006. While she was a Supervisor at the neighbouring Starbucks, she got to know the West Kelowna GM over a few years, chatting all things movies while serving him his tall dark with room for cream. When she was ready to make a career change, he had an open spot and offered her the job. This job grew into a 17-year (and counting) career, spanning multiple positions, most recently as a leader within Landmark Cinemas’ national marketing team.
What is the most important piece of advice you've been given in your career?
"Just keep swimming" - Yes, it may be a line from Finding Nemo, but the essence of perseverance has been the biggest influence in my career. You just must keep showing up every day, be willing to learn and grow, and not quit when it gets hard....just keep swimming.
What is the most important message you want to send out to young women embarking on their careers?
Never stop learning. Stay in a growth mindset. Know who you are. Be yourself. Be confident in your strengths and aware of your weaknesses.
What does allyship mean to you?
It means walking with people. Not just in words but in action. It means constantly evaluating yourself for blind spots and staying in a posture seeking to learn and understand.
Amanda Sinclair
Amanda started at Landmark nearly 8 years ago. Her husband came across the job posting for an HR Associate and suggested she apply as he thought it would be a great industry. He was right!
What is the most important piece of advice you've been given in your career?
Don't be afraid of a challenge and always take the opportunity to learn something new.
What is the most important message you want to send out to young women embarking on their careers?
Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses and where you want your career path to lead you. Don't be unrealistic in your goals but also don't limit yourself. You're not going to have it all figured out when you are first starting out so don't be too hard on yourself - mistakes are a great opportunity to learn and grow.
What does allyship mean to you?
Allyship is about listening, learning and understanding. It is recognizing bias, advocating for and supporting others, even when they cannot advocate for themselves. It is about bringing people together, forming connections, showing empathy and empowering others whenever possible. It is a fundamental part of an inclusive work environment.
