I recently sat down with Ranch Ehrlo Society's president and CEO Dr. Marion MacIver, she had a lot of interesting things to say about her history with the agency. Read bellow:

How long have you worked at Ranch Ehrlo? The technical answer is that I have been an employee for ten years but I have been affiliated with the Ranch for over 20. When I first encountered the Ranch it was when I was vice-principal of Wascana Community School. I was asked by the Schaller principal and my principal if I would have a Ranch youth come into my class – this was before the Ranch had integrated programs in the Regina schools – he turned out to be one of the star kids in my classroom. I didn’t even know what the Ranch was prior to that experience.

Then the next time I encountered the Ranch it was when I was the principal at Wetmore School and the Ranch rented a classroom space there. It was a prime example of cooperation with both the kids and staff.

In 1995 I was asked to be on the board of directors, I stayed on until 2000. Then in 2003 I was hired as the principal/director of education at Schaller.

Why did you start working here? It wasn’t something that I was intending to do, actually two years before I came to the Ranch Geoff and two other senior people had approached me and asked me if I would consider coming to work in their education program. It wasn’t something that fit for me at the time so I said no. I didn’t realize at that time that you didn’t say no to Geoff because he often sees that as a challenge. Then in 2003 the vice-president responsible for the education program had retired so Geoff again contacted me. I decided at that appoint I was ready for a change in my career. I always look forward to a new challenge and I saw this as a new opportunity.

What has been you career progression? Started as the director of education from 2003 for about three years, and then was appointed the vice-president of education. In 2007, I was appointed executive vice-president which meant I was the designated successor to the CEO upon board approval. I became the CEO when Geoff passed away in January 2012.

What’s the most difficult thing about being the CEO? I think that my biggest challenge is always shifting gears. No matter what role you are in it brings changes in relationships with colleagues. It also is a challenge moving away from the daily operations of the organization and leaving that to the staff who are responsible for each program area and instead, looking more to the developing the agency strategic direction and linking with the external stakeholders; building relationships outside of the Ranch so the agency is always seen as a leader in youth and family care.

What education do you have? I have my BA in Psychology from McMaster University, my Bachelor of Education in special education from the U of S, my Masters of Education in, what was guidance and counselling, but is now education psychology from the U of R, and my Educational Doctorate in administrative leadership from Walden University.

What main projects/areas are you responsible for at the Ranch? My priority role is strategic, or more specifically focusing on the agency’s strategic direction. Another role is hearing the collective voice of employees and building relationships with them, which could mean dialoguing with the staff associations or hearing the opinions of senior management. Building and nurturing relationships with key external stakeholders is also one of my main roles.

What is your best memory of the Ranch? My best memories are some of the interactions I have had with groups of staff. I was really pleased to be a part of the priorities committee that Geoff had set up to hear the staff’s voice regarding important directions the agency should move toward. That group should rightly take pride in leading much of the initiatives recently seen throughout the agency. Out of the report they provided Geoff in 2010 the first priority identified was to renovate the three homes at Pilot Butte. We have recently started the renovations on the last of these group homes – Jewison.

There were a variety of other recommendations that have been addressed so I think it was a really important aspect for the agency and it’s a good memory for me to have been a part of that.

Tell us something about you that would surprise people? I used to drive a motorcycle – a 750 Virago. It was fun. 

Favorite Ranch event? The premier event for me is awards night. Not just the programs south awards night, the one for programs north in Prince Albert is just as stunning. It’s a really good way to celebrate the clients of our programs. If you want to know what the Ranch is about you should attend one of these events!

Favorite TV show? One I really like is Homeland. One weekend last year they had all the back episodes and I got hooked on it.

What is your favorite food? Pretty well anything.

Any pet peeves? Not really. I tend to look at a glass as half full rather than half empty. If anything, I don’t understand why people choose to look at the glass as half empty.

Where did you grow up? I was born in Ontario and then spent the early part of my childhood in Alberta, and then I moved to Saskatchewan. At the end of my elementary years I lived in Regina and then went to high school in Weyburn. I moved around a fare bit.

What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy reading and stitchery when I get time. I used to do a lot of stained glass work but I haven’t had the time lately.