Tia McCord

Originally from Montréal, she is now a Community Engagement Associate with the Wood Buffalo Regional Library, and volunteers her time at various events around the community. YMM: What is the most rewarding part of your career? TM: The most rewarding part of my career is engaging with members of the community, making connections, and sharing with and learning from all of the amazing people I meet in our municipality. YMM: What keeps you in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region? TM: All the opportunities that my family has had are because we chose to live in Fort McMurray. YMM: What does community mean to you? TM: To me, community means being a part of something greater. YMM: What would you say to your 12-year-old self? TM: I would tell my 12-year-old self to invest more. Not in stocks, but in yourself. Make more time to do things that nurture your creative side. YMM: What is the best advice that you ever received? TM: The best advice I ever received was: Be brief, be brilliant, be gone. YMM: How would friends and acquaintances describe you? TM: Friends and acquaintances would describe me as loud and energetic, but also caring and compassionate. YMM: What three words describe you? TM: Three words that describe me are stubborn, fun-loving, and caring. YMM: What is something that people are always surprised to learn about you? TM: People are surprised to find out that I was a figure skater for many years. I was a Canadian champion with my skating team. We travelled and represented Canada at international competitions as well! YMM: Who is your hero, and why? TM: My mom is my hero. She raised three kids on her own and we never felt like we were missing out on anything. YMM: What motivates you? TM: My partner and my son motivate me. YMM: What are you most grateful for? TM: I am most grateful for my family, and most recently, my sister beating breast cancer. I am so thankful that she is still here with me. YMM: What is one challenge you’d like to tackle in 2024? TM: I hope to start preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. YMM: How should success be measured? TM: One should never measure their own successes against someone else’s. Rather, measure your own happiness.