In her job at Syncrude and her volunteer work in the Fort McMurray community, Sandra Hemphill believes that management by walking around gives her valuable insights that help people achieve their best. "You have to look behind the doors and understand how things work," she says. "What’s more, you have to listen to people and make a conscious effort to seek their input on important issues, because you don’t get buy-in unless people feel they have been heard."

Sandra’s keen eyes and ears help her understand the needs and motivations of the people she serves as a Board member of the Family Crisis Society, and also those she seeks to influence on the Society’s behalf.

The Society provides shelter for women and their children who have experienced family violence or are homeless. It also helps these women as they endeavour to take back their lives through ongoing programs and transitional or "second stage" housing. In this work, she must make a compelling case for her clients’ unique needs as compared to the needs of other groups. Her humanitarian style is working; the Society continues to meet the needs of women in crisis while its "second stage" housing program is now in its third year.