Cathy Kanashiro (BMgt '91), Associate Vice-President (Finance)

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born in England and my family moved to Canada when I was a baby. I never quite know how to answer the question “where did you grow up”, because I’d lived in four provinces by the time I was 15. I lived in Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Victoria and Calgary, and then found my way here as a University of Lethbridge student. Maybe Lethbridge is really where I grew up.

When I finished high school in Calgary, I wasn’t quite ready for university. I took probably the least interesting-sounding two “gap years” possible and worked for a life insurance company, which gave me all the motivation I needed to get more education. When I came to ULethbridge, I thought I was going to get a science degree, but somehow ended up in accounting. No regrets there!

How long have you been at ULethbridge and what do you do here?

I’ve been working at ULethbridge for 29 years, mostly working in the Faculty of Arts and Science as their Director of Finance and Admin. This year, I started a new job as Associate Vice-President (Finance).

What's the best part of your job?

I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to learn and grow in my job, which have kept the work interesting over the years. In my new job, almost everything feels new, and I love that I’m getting to learn so much more about all areas of the University.

That’s the best part of my work, but what has made both jobs most enjoyable has been the colleagues and friends I work with. That’s really what makes the University a community for me, and what keeps me going even when things feel hard sometimes.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I live with my two strong, creative, feminist daughters, who inspire and teach me, and make me so proud. Even though they are not kids anymore, being their mom is one of the things that I most value and identify with.

One of my all-time favourite things to do is the Calgary Folk Music Festival, a four-day escape with my girls to Prince’s Island Park for great music and food and total relaxation. I’ve only missed one year (other than Covid cancellations) since 1998, so I guess that counts as a family tradition. It’s happening July 27-30 this year, and I highly recommend it!

I’ve also been learning to golf, and joined a weekly golf league this summer, which is way out of my comfort zone. It’s a great exercise in humility and perseverance, but I’m enjoying seeing small improvements, and I especially enjoy patio time with friends afterwards!