Janine Peddle
Empowering People, Building Memories, Breaking Stigmas
CLASS OF 2025
When Janine Peddle arrived in Fort McMurray fresh from high school in Stephenville Crossing, Newfoundland, she thought she was simply following an opportunity. “A lot of people I knew were moving up, and I thought I would join in and see what Fort McMurray had to offer,” she recalls. What she found was a city that offered her opportunity, friendship, and a place to grow both personally and professionally.
Eighteen years later, she has built not only a thriving career in hospitality but also a life grounded in connection, compassion, and community spirit. As the General Manager of QSocial, Janine has become known for her leadership, her positivity, and her deep belief in the power of people helping people.
“The most rewarding part of my career is the people,” she says. “Working in hospitality gives me the opportunity to meet so many different individuals, and I truly love being part of their experiences. Watching guests create lasting memories and knowing I’ve contributed to that joy is something I feel deeply grateful for every day.”
That passion for people extends well beyond the walls of QSocial. Janine is an advocate for youth empowerment and mental health awareness, dedicating much of her energy to helping others feel supported and seen. She has coached, mentored, and volunteered wherever she’s needed, always with the same goal in mind: to lift others up.
Her advocacy for mental health awareness, in particular, is deeply personal. “Mental health touches everyone in some way,” she explains. “I’ve seen firsthand how many people struggle in silence.” That insight inspired her to take action, and in 2021, she and her young son, Hudson, joined the March Mullets for Mental Health campaign, supporting CMHA, a community initiative that raises funds and sparks important conversations about mental health.
“For me, it was about starting conversations earlier, breaking the stigma, and showing that even small actions can spark big change,” she says. “Being able to team up with my son made it even more meaningful because it showed him the importance of giving back and supporting others.”
Behind her drive is a strong foundation of support. “I am fortunate to have an incredible support system of family and friends who encourage me in everything I do,” she says. “Their belief in me pushes me to work harder, give more, and continue growing both personally and professionally.”
Her experiences have shaped how she leads, with empathy, patience, and authenticity. Having started her career in education, Janine learned early on the importance of compassion and meeting people where they are. Those lessons have carried through to her work in hospitality, where she fosters an environment where her team feels valued, supported, and motivated to grow.
“I’ve always been someone who wants to do more and give more,” she says. “Both my career and personal life have shown me that community involvement means creating safe, welcoming, and judgment-free spaces where people feel they belong.”
Looking ahead, Janine is focused on growth, both her own and her community’s. She hopes to continue developing as a leader at QSocial while maintaining the balance that allows her to stay present with her family. “Being actively involved in my kids’ activities, whether it’s cheering them on or stepping in to help coach, is really important to me,” she says. With Hudson, she’s taken on advocacy and awareness projects, while with her daughter Kaylee, she has stepped up in a hands-on way by coaching and mentoring through her sports.
For Janine, the future of Fort McMurray depends on compassion, collaboration, and connection. “One of the biggest challenges our community faces today is mental health,” she says. “Too often, people feel alone or judged when they need help the most. We can make progress by creating more open conversations and offering safe spaces for people to turn to.”
Whether she is leading a team, supporting her children, or raising awareness for mental health, Janine embodies her personal tagline: Empowering people, building memories, breaking stigmas. It reflects everything she stands for and is a reminder of the quiet but powerful ways one person can make a lasting difference.
