Our Stories

It’s a late morning in Terence Bay, Nova Scotia. As Jennifer Groulx opens the door of her van, her four dogs — Curry, Memo, Seeky, and PopTart — hop out, tails wagging and ready to explore. Their lively presence offers a glimpse into the spirit Jennifer brings from her seaside home into her role as a Disability Claims Team Lead with Medavie Blue Cross.

Her four-legged furballs chase after Jennifer as she heads toward the house. Inside, the whirlwind continues, as the dogs leap for treats, jumping through an open window between the living room and deck as if it were part of their training course.

For Jennifer, this isn’t just playtime — it’s a way of life. Beyond her work supporting Medavie Blue Cross members through some of their toughest times, she has spent more than 15 years training and competing with dogs in sporting competitions.

Whether she’s coaching others as a dog trainer or developing service and therapy dogs of her own, Jennifer’s life is fueled by the same mix of discipline, joy, and connection that fills her home the moment those paws hit the ground.

Always eager to try new ideas and find ways to help her team work better and feel more engaged, she was promoted again in 2020 to her current role as Team Lead.

Jennnifer leads a team of disability claims specialists who help members navigate illness or injury that prevents them from working. This covers the full spectrum of medical conditions, from broken bones and stress to heart attacks. The work is complex, sensitive, and deeply human.

Respect, she says, is foundational to everything they do.

Her leadership philosophy is simple but powerful. As Jennifer puts it: “If you take care of your people, they will take care of your business.”


 

Making space for wellness in the workplace

Jennifer keeps her team closely connected to Medavie’s mission of improving the wellbeing of Canadians and enabling full, healthy lives. She regularly shares feedback and celebrates wins to help her team see the real impact of their work. Whether it’s recognizing a team member’s effort or highlighting how their actions truly helped a client, Jennifer ensures her team feels valued and understands the purpose behind what they do. It’s a simple but meaningful way to show that their hard work matters.

The most rewarding part of her role, she says, is watching her team do what they do best — help people. The most challenging is helping them through tough or complex situations. Because of this, she makes space for her team to step away after difficult calls and encourages humour in meetings to balance the heaviness of the work.

She’s also intentional about protecting her team’s wellbeing, encouraging a healthy blend between work and personal life. Jennifer regularly encourages conversations about self-care and mental health resources like Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Additionally, Jennifer stresses the importance of hobbies and personal interests — reminding her team to hold onto the things they enjoy outside of work, even when things get busy.

“I was a little shocked because I was so used to toning down who I was as a client-facing person. It was refreshing, but it was also very empowering because now I know that other people in the company aren’t looking at me like “why is that lady with the purple hair a leader,” which was exactly what I was getting before.

Jennifer says Medavie’s inclusive culture has transformed her leadership style. Being allowed to show up fully — without suppressing her personality or appearance — has empowered her to give 100 percent. She credits her authenticity as the foundation of the leader she’s become, and that same authenticity extends to her team and the clients they support. 

“They feel they’re getting real people at the other end of the phone or in a meeting.”

It’s part of what makes her team strong. Nearly 80 percent of her team — including Jennifer herself — is neurodivergent, something she proudly calls her superpower. She says it fosters nonlinear thinking and flexible decision-making, allowing her team to approach challenges creatively and effectively, even when the path forward isn’t immediately clear.

Work, wellbeing, and wagging tails

Balancing a leadership role with personal wellbeing is something Jennifer has learned to prioritize. She often unwinds in her craft room — “sometimes I just need to put glitter on something”— or by taking in the outdoors through hiking and camping.

When not at home, Jennifer often travels across Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes for her dogs to compete in high-intensity sports, with flyball and agility being her favourites. Flyball is a fast-paced, team-based relay race, while dog agility is a sport where a handler guides a dog, off-leash, through a timed obstacle course. These demanding sports require her dogs to stay in top shape, and they even have their own treadmill to keep fit. 

Helping others, one chapter at a time 

For Jennifer, a “full career” means making a difference — for her clients, her team, and herself.

It’s a simple truth that’s guided her through every chapter — from her early days making donuts to leading a team that helps people through some of life’s hardest moments. The journey hasn’t been about fitting into a mold, but about finding places where she could be herself and help others do the same. 

Whether she’s at her desk, on a trail, or cheering on her dogs, she proves that work and wellbeing can move together, side by side.