get to know Shila.
Shila was born in Medicine Hat leaving the community just before starting school. Her family came back just before Shila started university. Her career had her go down various paths and in different countries but in 2000 Shila ended back in Medicine Hat where it had all started for her.
Like many in their youth, Shila spent a good portion of her time testing the waters and trying different jobs all in an effort to see what her path may be. That included bartending at the “Sin Bin” and being an extra in a Japanese war film!
In Shila’s late 20’s she buckled down and started a career in Human Resources (HR), at what was known in that era as Lakeside Packers. During that time she continued to live in Medicine Hat and commuted to Brooks for six years. This was one of the most memorable times for her and it was an incredible experience, truthfully one of her biggest learning curves. It was from Lakeside that she moved on to be the HR Manager at Wittke and stayed in that role for 6 years.
During her six years at Wittke, Shila was fortunate enough to earn promotions and ended up fulfilling the role as the HR manager for North America. This provided her with exceptional international experience. As Wittke was bought out by an American company in the last four years of her tenure, her worldwide experience exploded. She was privileged to work with groups all over the world and with all industries from the trades to engineers and CEOs.
As the economy turned and many US factories pulled out of Canada, Shila was lucky enough to be chosen as the last man standing for the organization. While she wrapped things up, she finished another designation in Immigration. She recognized this as a natural fit after all of her international experience.
In 2004 HR SOLUTIONS was started and nine months later she started the immigration company. She has run her business downtown since 2005. Prior to having to minimize travel due to Covid, Shila managed to gain a good client base in the US for HR consulting, as she had pursued her US designations as well.
Shila is a longtime volunteer within the city. She was privileged to sit on the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce as a Director and has volunteered countless hours in the HR community, mentoring new young professionals that enter the field. She is also a longtime volunteer with the United Way volunteering with one specific event for close to a decade.
Today, Shila is learning to live in this new post-Covid world. She enjoys time at the dog park with her two puppies and hitting the links with friends at any one of the beautiful golf courses within Medicine Hat. She hopes she can have time to learn more about you and your unique story so that she can help bring more voices to the table on Council.