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Vanja Aladin is the perfect incarnation of how to combine professional expertise and human compassion. She tells us about her unique career path.
Vanja Aladin hadn’t planned on pursuing a career in the field of insolvency. A graduate of Université Laval who trained as a lawyer, she originally intended to practise family law. But, as she told us, “What I always really wanted to do was to help others.” And it was almost by accident that this core belief led her to the world of insolvency.
A unique career path driven by empathy
Looking back, Vanja recalls: “When I saw an opportunity to become an insolvency consultant, I thought: ‘Why not? Let’s send in my application.’ It turned out to be an excellent choice. I’ve been working in this field for almost eight years now and I don’t have a single regret about that decision.”
Originally, she was only curious, but she rapidly became truly passionate about it. Vanja discovered that insolvency was a field in which she could really make a difference, each and every day. As she explains enthusiastically, “Since then, I’ve been in love with my job. It fits me to a T and I could never turn back.”
Work built around a helping relationship
For Vanja, each file represents much more than a series of figures, it’s the story of a person or a family whose life has been turned upside down by financial hardship. Her role is to listen to them, to understand their situation and to offer them the right solutions, tailored to their needs.
“When I say that we are changing people’s lives, I am not exaggerating. Some of our clients have spent years trying to avoid their financial problems. Giving them the chance to sleep peacefully again, not dread answering phone calls and not fear opening their mail, that’s a very significant change in their life.”
Vanja excels in dealing with such moments of vulnerability, offering not only her professional expertise, but also lending a sympathetic ear and providing emotional support. “Some clients have told me: ‘You are our angel.’ What a gratifying thing to hear every day! You immediately see the impact you have on people’s lives. During the first follow-up meeting, you can see that a weight has been lifted and that they can smile again. For them, it really means getting a fresh start.”
Balance is the key to professional and personal success
As a mother of a four-year-old boy, Vanja particularly enjoys the flexibility that the firm provides. “As both a mother and an ambitious professional, I really appreciate that my employer is understanding and allows employees to work in a hybrid mode. I can benefit from the advantages of teleworking while minimizing its drawbacks. It’s also a way to adapt to the reality of young parents. It enables me to remain productive in my work while preserving a good quality of family life.”
Vanja has just become a licensed insolvency trustee (LIT), which is an important step towards increased autonomy and the ability to manage her files from A to Z.
“When I decided to study to get my insolvency trustee licence while working and raising a child, it was a major challenge. But having a supportive employer made it all possible. You can pursue your professional ambitions and still preserve the balance you want in your personal and family life.”
Putting her energy in the pursuit of excellence
Vanja is known for her infectious energy, a quality she nurtures both in her professional and personal life. She loves sports and recently set herself a new challenge: to run a 10K in October. “It is quite a challenge for someone who has never run a race in her life! But it’s a way to prioritize my needs and take time for myself.”
Vanja also applies that discipline and determination to her work. “I’m always going at full speed.” But she has also had to learn the importance of finding balance. “It’s crucial to set limits. For ambitious people who always want to perform, that’s quite a challenge, but it’s necessary if you want to preserve a balance.”
Has motherhood changed anything for her? “When you have a child, you return to what’s most important and live in the now. After the birth of my son, I see things differently. Now, it’s easier for me to take a break and tell myself, ‘OK; now I’m taking my time, and that’s fine.’”
Finding happiness at work: an everyday reality
For Vanja, happiness in the workplace is not an abstract concept, but rather a reality she experiences every day. “The dreaded Sunday night blues? I don’t know what that means! Instead, I look forward to starting my week, getting back to my files and seeing my clients. I feel privileged to get up each morning wanting to go to work, especially in a field where you can really make a difference in people’s lives.”
Raymond Chabot’s work environment only helps strengthen this feeling of accomplishment. Vanja speaks enthusiastically of her close-knit team and the mentors who inspired and supported her through every step of her journey. “I was lucky to work with wonderful people who always encouraged and supported me. It feels like being part of a large family where each person wants the best for everyone else.”
A model of empathy and professionalism
Vanja Aladin is the perfect incarnation of the new generation of professionals who have joined our firm: she is competent, enthusiastic and people-oriented. Her journey demonstrates that it is possible to combine technical expertise with compassion, balance professional and personal life and, above all, have a positive impact on the lives of others.