Procurement Month – Caveat Emptor Board Spotlight
Behind every issue of Caveat Emptor is a dedicated group of volunteers who help shape the content, share ideas, and ensure the newsletter continues to reflect the evolving needs of the public procurement community.
This month, we’re highlighting members of the Caveat Emptor Editorial Committee — the team that helps bring each issue to life.
Get to know the people behind the newsletter through a few quick insights into their work, interests, and what motivates them.
If you are passionate about a project and want to share lessons learned or have utilized an innovative method of procurement and want to shout it from the rooftops, where better than in the Caveat Emptor! Did you know that you could win money for your article? Reach out to us, we’ll tell you how.
Robin Friefield-Hudson, City of Mississauga
How long have you worked in Procurement? 19 years.
What keeps you motivated during busy or stressful times? The greatest feeling is checking off completed tasks with a pen in my ‘old-school’ notebook.
What’s your favorite way to recharge after a long day? After letting the dog out or taking her for a walk, I will enjoy my apple and peanut butter while watching YouTube travel channels.
What’s a fun fact about me: I have been on 18 cruises and by the end of this year I will have been on 19. My favourite port in the Caribbean is San Juan PR and my favourite port in Europe is Barcelona. I am currently attempting to learn Spanish and Italian to be ready for a med cruise later this year.
Sarah Crooks, Town of Ajax
What are you excited about in the coming year? I am most excited about the upcoming 68th annual OPBA conference.
What does a typical day look like for you? A typical day for me involves wearing many hats and constantly switching gears!
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? New Zealand.
Coffee or tea? Early bird or night owl? Tea & night owl.
Tanya Gaudet, Town of New Tecumseth
What’s the best career advice you’ve received? One of the best pieces of career advice I ever received came from a mentor who reminded me not to undervalue myself. They pointed out that I consistently took on complex work, solved problems others avoided and delivered results – but I spoke about my contributions as if they were routine or easily replaceable. Their advice was simple but powerful: if you don’t recognize your own value, others may not either. That conversation shifted how I show up in conversations about growth, approach opportunities with more confidence, and recognize my experience and skills.
What keeps you motivated during busy or stressful times? Humour helps me stay motivated during busy or stressful periods by keeping things in perspective. When deadlines pile up or situations feel tense, a light‑hearted comment or shared laugh can reset the mood and make challenges feel more manageable. It’s a reminder – to me and to those around me – that while our work matters, we’re still human and not meant to carry it alone. Even a small, shared chuckle can make interactions feel warmer, break down barriers, and create a sense of connection and safety. When used respectfully, humour strengthens relationships and supports a more collaborative and supportive workplace.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Outside of work, my life naturally gravitates toward the water. I’m fortunate to live lakeside, with a dock just steps from home, and to keep a boat at a nearby marina – so time on or near the water is woven into my everyday rhythm. I enjoy hosting friends, with weekends often shaped by casual BBQs, unhurried afternoons on the boat, and evenings that stretch dockside well past sunset. Whether I’m paddleboarding, heading out on personal watercraft, or simply watching boats come and go, the water brings me a deep sense of joy. Having grown up along the ocean coast, its pull has always felt familiar – a source of calm, connection, and a quiet sense of freedom that continues to anchor me.
What’s your favorite way to recharge after a long day? I like to unplug for a bit – whether that’s going for a walk, enjoying some quiet time at home, or honestly just doing absolutely nothing for a while. Bonus points if it involves fresh air. I genuinely enjoy organizing and reorganizing things; there’s something deeply satisfying about bringing order to chaos and seeing everything click into place. That said, you might just as easily find me with a power tool or a paintbrush in hand, happily making a bit of a mess instead. I have a wide range of interests, and I’m drawn to anything that helps clear my head, recharge my energy, and reset so I’m ready to take on the next day.
Katie Walton, City of Barrie
What are you excited about in the coming year? I’m excited to continue growing professionally through new projects, and I’m also looking forward to some fun trips planned with my family in the coming year.
What keeps you motivated during busy or stressful times? During busy times, I stay motivated by keeping the bigger picture in mind. Focusing on the outcome allows me to break complex tasks into smaller, achievable steps and helps me stay productive even under pressure.
Do you have any hobbies or interests you’re passionate about? Anything crafty, but most of my time is spent knitting and sewing! I love doing projects that are hands-on and let me be creative as I find it’s a great way to unwind and relax.
Coffee or tea? Early bird or night owl? Coffee all day! These days I have become an early bird, largely thanks to having a toddler.
Joseph Adekale, TTC
What’s the best career advice you’ve received? The best advice I’ve received is to start every procurement by understanding the requirement at its core not just the product, but the outcome the client expects. In construction, that mindset turns procurement into a strategic function. It drives smarter decisions, minimizes change orders, and ensures the solutions we source genuinely support the project’s success. Understanding the requirement isn’t just a technical exercise, it’s a leadership skill. It builds trust with internal teams, strengthens negotiations, and ensures procurement is seen as a strategic partner rather than a transactional function.
What keeps you motivated during busy or stressful times? I stay motivated by reminding myself of one simple truth: no matter how chaotic things get, the work will get done and the timelines will be met even if it feels like the universe is testing my patience one purchase order at a time.
A few things keep me going when the pressure ramps up:
- The satisfaction of crossing things off the list nothing fuels me like turning a mountain of procurement tasks into a neatly paved road of “completed” checkmarks.
- Knowing every crisis has an end date – materials arrive, subcontractors confirm, and eventually even the most stubborn lead time gives in.
- Construction humor because if you can’t laugh when someone says, “it’s just a small change,” you won’t survive long in this industry.
- The quiet confidence that the project will move forward even if it takes a few extra teas and a strategic deep breath in the supply closet.
Do you have any hobbies or interests you’re passionate about?I’m passionate about football the real one played with your feet not the one where everyone wears armour and takes a break every twelve seconds. I support Chelsea which means I’ve developed a very strong character and an even stronger sense of humour because you need both to survive our seasons. Football is my escape after a long week in procurement. Ninety minutes where I can forget about Purchase requisition and supplier quotes and instead focus on whether Chelsea will score a goal or give me another reason to question my life choices. It keeps me entertained it keeps me humble and it definitely keeps me shouting at the TV like I’m part of the coaching staff.
Coffee or tea? Early bird or night owl? I’m definitely a tea person and an early bird, which basically means I’m fully functional at sunrise and completely useless the moment the streetlights come on. While everyone else is still negotiating with their alarm clock, I’m already up, kettle on, convincing myself that being awake this early is a personality trait and not a cry for help.
Tea keeps me calm, collected, and slightly judgmental of anyone who drinks six coffees before noon. And being an early bird means I get a solid headstart on the day before the chaos begins, which is great because by evening, I’m ready to clock out mentally and physically.
Wendy Gan, OPBA
What’s a project or achievement you’re especially proud of? About a year and a half in at OPBA, I’d have to say the Reverse Vendor Tradeshow last year. It was organized chaos behind the scenes, but very satisfying when everything comes together. Seeing a record number of public agency exhibitors sign up made it even better.
On that note … please sign up for this year’s event, here.
What keeps you motivated during busy or stressful times? A good spreadsheet and a lot of 🙏.
Coffee or tea? Early bird or night owl? Coffee. Neither, but I’m functional and pleasant anytime with coffee.
If you had a superpower, what would it be? Never having to click “forgot password.”
Serena Wilgress, Town of The Blue Mountains
What are you excited about in the coming year? A new Procurement Policy! It’s been a couple of years in the making and with the help of Town staff, hoping to have a new policy in place in June.
What does a typical day look like for you? Wearing two hats for my organization means that no two days are the same. Currently, I’m in the throes of developing procedures and SOPs for our new policy with responding to insurance claims on the side.
Do you have any hobbies or interests you’re passionate about? I’m a self-taught canning aficionado. I don’t think there’s anything that can’t be put in a jar and preserved for longevity. Soup, pulled pork, beans, jam, pie filling. My family jokes that my house is where they’ll grocery shop when the apocalypse happens.
Coffee or tea? Early bird or night owl? Early bird with coffee when the house is silent and I’m the only one awake can’t be beat.