Career Spotlight: Sonia Isoufi (BASc, Occupational Health & Safety ’16)

After eight years in OHS, what do you enjoy most?

Many things! OHS is a "care-centric" field that really emphasizes the importance of putting people first — ensuring that employees not only feel safe, but are also empowered to take responsibility for their own health and safety and have a voice in the workplace.

As an OHS practitioner, on any given day, you can find yourself wearing many hats — which certainly helps keep things dynamic and interesting! Whether you're researching, advising, auditing, or developing programs, each function allows you to impact the safety culture in a meaningful way.

The most rewarding aspect for me is building meaningful relationships, and continuously fostering safety knowledge and awareness. This can be achieved best when safety is integrated in day-to-day operations, and becomes an active part of people’s work routines. When workers understand and exercise their OHS rights and responsibilities, it creates a more informed, engaged and proactive workforce, and a positive employee experience.  

How did working in different sectors and major corporations help you grow?

My journey in OHS has been incredibly enriching, both personally and professionally. Observing how safety cultures vary from business to business provided me with a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities each organization faces in building a safe workplace. I firmly believe compassion and kindness in leadership are incredibly powerful principles, especially in a field like occupational health and safety. My experience in diverse settings and scenes, with different responsibilities, as well as exposure to various leadership styles were all pivotal to my development over the years. My aspiration is to create safety cultures that aren’t just about meeting minimal legal requirements but about fostering an environment where safety is a core value, and where leaders show compassion and kindness, and foster trust and open communication.

You strategically sought out diverse OHS roles. Why?

I wanted to develop a broad range of skills and gain exposure to a variety of project portfolios early in my career. Each role taught me something new. For example, at Home Depot, I monitored and reported on various health and safety performance indicators (KPIs). This honed my analytical skills which later set me apart as I moved into more senior positions.

I also chose roles engaging directly with day-to-day operations. By seeing the practical side of OHS — how policies become implemented and influence the development of a positive safety culture — I really deepened my understanding of the field.

Now, at Holt Renfrew, I oversee the health and safety programs for all stores and offices across the country. I work with cross-functional teams to ensure that our Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) is up to date and effectively implemented.

It’s very collaborative and involves a range of subject matter experts both within and outside of Holt Renfrew. This diverse expertise helps us maintain a proactive, safety-conscious environment and ensures that our OHS strategies are not only holistic and comprehensive across the entire organization, but also legally compliant, adaptable to changing safety needs, and aligned with a strong internal responsibility system (IRS) framework.

How did TMU’s program equip you for a career?

TMU’s program was a perfect fit for my career aspirations because it was highly applied, unlike programs at other institutions that were more research-oriented. I knew I wanted to be industry-ready by the time I graduated, and TMU gave me the essential knowledge and hands-on skills needed to do so. The program covered a wide range of topics, which demonstrated the complexity of the field and the many career paths OHS graduates can pursue. It wasn’t just about learning theory; it was about rolling up my sleeves and doing the work.

Another key aspect of TMU’s program was the strong sense of community and belonging. The faculty and peers genuinely cared about my success and supported me every step of the way. They challenged me, which I now realize is crucial in the real world. It’s a muscle I use every day in my career, learning to embrace challenges head-on.

What advice can you give aspiring OHS professionals?

My #1 piece of advice is: don’t limit yourself to any one organization early on in your career. Seek out a variety of perspectives.

It’s important to understand what it’s like to work in different environments. Experience a company with minimal health and safety infrastructure, as well as one with a robust Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). Work both on-site and in hybrid models to explore the full range of communication styles and techniques. Learn to balance being a doer and a strategist. Embrace the challenge of working as an OHS generalist, but also explore specialization in niche areas like industrial hygiene, ergonomics, workers’ compensation, and disability management.

These diverse experiences will help you better understand your interests and give you a clearer vision of where you want to be in three, five, or even ten years from now.

A former colleague once shared a piece of advice with me: "Knowledge is power." I think that’s vital for anyone entering the field. To all aspiring OHS leaders, I encourage you to start with that mindset. Whether through formal education or on-the-job experience, continuously seek opportunities to learn. Apply that knowledge, share it with others, and always stay true to your values.

This is where you will find fulfillment, contribute meaningfully in your role, and make a lasting impact in the industry that you serve.