Nancy Moulday, recruitment manager for TD Bank Group in Business Banking and two-time president of the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (in 2004 and 2014), can attest to the power of sharing one’s story.
Nancy has spent the last 10 years advocating for mental health awareness using her “Nancy’s in the House” campus visits as a vehicle to reach out to students who self-identify with an invisible disability—in other words, one that is not physically apparent, such as a mental health issue.
As an Aboriginal woman, she also uses her visits to meet with and inspire Aboriginal students, share her story, and demonstrate that anyone can overcome adversity through hard work, honesty and open conversation.
CO had the chance to chat with Nancy on why mental health issues are important to her, and why she wants others to feel comfortable sharing their stories.
Where does your story begin?
Back in 2004, I was serving as president for the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE), my sister had just passed away, my job had changed and I was going through marital difficulties. I was engulfed in all these very difficult personal issues, and I needed help.
I met with my psychiatrist, and with TD Bank’s Canadian Council of
Rehabilitation Work (CCRW). My psychiatrist diagnosed me with clinical depression, and the CCRW assessed my workplace needs and recommended a change in office space—having natural light, flexibility to work at home—and a shift in roles.
What motivated you to first speak about your disability
to your colleagues?
It was important for me to share with my colleagues what was happening so that they were aware that I needed accommodations. I wanted them to understand little things like when I was gone for a couple of hours, it wasn’t because I wasn’t being a team player, but because I was traveling to see my therapist. Or when I became defensive it wasn’t because of them, it was an episode of depression.
Together with the CCRW, I held a Lunch and Learn where I came out to my colleagues to discuss invisible disabilities—what it means, what the symptoms of depression are, and how we can all work together.
The first step was awareness of what was preventing me from functioning. The second was opening the dialogue with my colleagues and speaking up about mental illnesses.
How can supporters or allies of mental health help?
Listen to our stories, ask questions and do research to gain a better understanding of invisible disabilities. Mental health issues can make you feel very isolated. Having a support network is important.
TD stands out as a progressive institution. What other programs do they have to support their employees?
It started at the top when TD established the diversity leadership council 10 years ago to improve the employee experience. This made diversity and inclusion a business imperative. Executive committees were struck to head up the different areas of focus, including Aboriginal People, Visible Minorities, Persons with Disabilities, LGBT and Women in Leadership. Other programs include the Mental Health Awareness half-day sensitivity program, which takes place four to five times a year, as well as employment equity surveys. There’s also a comprehensive annual corporate responsibility report, which readers can check out on TD.com, as well as our TD Volunteer Network, which supports employees in activities and projects in the communities where they live and work.
As a recruitment manager, do you have any advice for
our students with a disability (visible or invisible)?
I recruit undergraduate and MBA students at 35 different universities coast to coast, and my advice is always to practice with your friends or family, be prepared and know the job description. There may be times where you feel intimidated, but remember that you’ll be hired on your merits, so continue working hard. If you’re looking for more information, you can go to your school’s career centre and look into the alumni working at the company. Take advantage of your support systems and do your research.
When experiencing low days, how do you motivate yourself?
I motivate myself by sharing my story with others and helping them through their personal challenges. I remind myself that there is always an ending to a bad day and then use my coping mechanisms. Even though we can’t see it immediately, these periods will pass if we just keep moving forward. TD also has wellness groups dedicated to individuals with various levels of depression or mental health issues. CO
Nancy has been at TD for 27 years, and her role as a senior leader within the banking industry wouldn’t have been possible had she done it alone. While TD offers a variety of diversity programs, there are also many other resources available n the community, at school and through your doctor.
Follow Nancy on Twitter @NancyMoulday_TD
