۲ݮƵ

Get to know: the FMAS HR team

Image by FMAS Staff. Back row from left to right: Simon Lepage, Stephan Pleszkewycz, and Josh Freedman. Front row from left to right: Milenka Radman, Tinasha Colquhoun, Maria Castro, and Alissa Goddard.

As one of the largest units at ۲ݮƵ, FMAS is fortunate to count on dedicated teams to perform important administrative functions, such as finance, procurement and human resources.

Today, we introduce you to the FMAS HR team, working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our teams staffed (among many other responsibilities), no small challenge in a unit of some 750 positions!

Alissa Goddard
Senior HR Advisor
Joined FMAS in September 2008

Alissa sets the short- and long-term goals of the HR team and aligns their strategy to ensure they can continuously support the needs of the different units under the FMAS umbrella. She shares her insight and provides strategic advice on complex staffing, compensation, organizational structure, and labour files. "A lot has changed in these last 14 years, it’s impressive to see what the FMAS unit has become,” she says.

Fun fact(s): Alissa picked up waterskiing this year after a 10-year hiatus. She also joined a competitive novice hip hop team and decorated countless fondant cakes over the years. She adds: “I also spend most weekends in the arena for my boys’ hockey or dance studio for my daughter.”

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Milenka Radman
HR Advisor
Joined FMAS in November 2009.

Milenka is in charge of the portfolios for Building Services, Campus Public Safety, Bookstore, Faculty Club and Logistics. Her role consists of advising in the areas of labour relations, disability management, compensation, talent management, training and development, and performance management. She has also been involved in a few arbitration cases, as well as departmental restructurings.

Fun fact(s): Milenka used to be an athlete and has won medals in figure skating, soccer, and long-distance running, including at the Jeux du Québec. “I was also a ballet dancer, a certified lifeguard and swimming instructor. Although not an athlete anymore, I now spend most of my time watching my daughter be an equestrian,” she says.

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Soraya Esmail
HR Advisor
Joined FMAS in 2012

Before going on maternity leave (she welcomed baby Mariah in March 2022), Soraya was the HR advisor for Building Operations, Utilities and Energy Management, Macdonald Campus, Project Management, Campus Planning and Development, and Design Services.

Soraya’s role consists of advising in the areas of labour, disability management, compensation, talent management, training and development, and performance management. “During the development and transition to Workday, I took on the role of Change Agent for FMAS, which was a great experience and opportunity to collaborate with the Workday team and FMAS staff,” says Soraya.

Fun fact(s): Mariah is not the only baby Soraya takes care of. “I have 40 other babies… the green kind, not the human kind! I’m a plant mama to 40 plants and taking care of them is one of my favourite things to do, other than play and giggle with Mariah!”

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Stephan Pleszkewycz
HR Administrator
Joined FMAS in July 2021

Stephan’s primary responsibilities are full-cycle recruitment, which means he is involved in every step of the hiring process, and employee support for Campus Public Safety, Facilities Management Information System, the Bookstore, Building Operations, Utilities and Energy Management, Macdonald Campus and the Faculty Club. Prior to joining ۲ݮƵ, he worked in the IT, aviation, and security industries.

Fun fact(s): Stephan owns a blind black Labrador named Mira. “I guess you could consider me a part-time “guide person,” he says.

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Maria Castro
Human Resources Coordinator
Joined FMAS in March 2022

Maria’s responsibilities include the full-cycle recruitment for Service Employees Union (SEU) staff, as well as supporting areas like disability, related to short-term and long-term disability plans offered by ۲ݮƵ, and disciplinary processes.

Fun fact(s): Maria loves reading and has read more than 200 non-academic books.

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Josh Freedman
Human Resources Administrator
Joined FMAS in March 2022

Josh’s main responsibilities involve recruitment and general staffing support for the Design Services, Project Management, Campus Planning and Development, and Bookstore teams, as well as the office of the Associate Vice Principal.

Fun fact(s): “I’m the fourth consecutive generation of my family to either work at or go to ۲ݮƵ, starting with my great grandfather, who graduated from medical school here in 1908!” says Josh.

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Tinasha Colquhoun
HR Advisor
Joined FMAS in August 2022

Tinasha supports many portfolios, from Project Management, Design Services and Campus Planning and Development to Building Operations, Utilities and Energy Management, and Macdonald Campus Operations for which she does full cycle recruitment as well as disability cases.

Fun fact(s): Tinasha is a citizen of three different countries: Canada, the U.S., and Jamaica.

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Simon Lepage
Staffing Advisor
Joined FMAS in August 2022 (but ۲ݮƵ one year ago)

Simon handles the full recruitment cycle of a number of positions. “I source candidates through various methods, and I create novel ways to attract and retain new hires. Amongst other ongoing projects, I’m working towards our more regular attendance at job fairs and in-person recruitment events,” he explains.

Fun fact(s): “I am a geek enthusiast. On the weekends, I love playing board games and tabletops with my friends and family. Although I haven’t attended since the pandemic started, I also did my fair share of LARPing!” ()

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