Sollio Agriculture team: Meet Valérie Desjardins

Valérie Desjardins may work with numbers, but she’s definitely a people person. As an accounts payable supervisor, she works to foster a collaborative culture on her team every day.

Question: What does an accounts payable supervisor actually do?
Answer: I manage eleven accounts payable clerks across three teams: grain, feed, and non-stock invoices. But the most important thing I do is manage our work environment to make sure everyone is collaborating and getting along. That’s what really matters!

Question: What motivates you in your career at Sollio Agriculture? 
Answer: Teamwork. Accounts payable is usually the last of many steps, so I like to work proactively with other departments, like logistics and procurement, to make sure everything goes smoothly leading up to when we get the invoices.

Question: Which Sollio Agriculture value inspires you the most? 
Answer: You probably guessed it—caring! To me, it’s about building a collaborative culture and promoting respect between employees, which leads to better teamwork.

Question: Is there an achievement you’re particularly proud of? 
Answer: I’m just proud of my team!

Question: Now for a few rapid-fire questions. Do you have a hidden talent? 
Answer: Skiing.

Question: If you could do another job for a day, what would it be?
Answer: Veterinarian, because I love animals.

Question: How would your best friend describe you? 
Answer: Oh, God! She used to be my manager, too. I think she’d say I’m great at coordinating, whether it’s at work or in my personal life. And my husband would probably say, “She’s always in charge!” Ha! Ha!

Question: What was the last book you read? 
Answer: A trilogy by Marc Lévy: C’est arrivé la nuit, Le crépuscule des fauves, and NOA.

Question: What’s your favourite meal?
Answer: Italian food.

Question: What’s your dream travel destination?
Answer: Polynesia, to see the other side of the world. But I travel to Florida every year and try to go to Europe as well. I’ve already been to Greece, Hawaii, Italy, Hungary, Austria, France, Portugal, and Spain.

Question: Who’s your most inspiring colleague? 
Answer: Julie Maurice, who works in supply chain (Editor’s note: as a business analyst.). Like me, she manages projects and oversees processes. We work well together; we balance each other out.

Question: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Answer: Don’t be afraid to move forward.

Question: What advice would you give new employees starting out at Sollio Agriculture?
Answer: No two days are the same, so it’s important to stay positive, persevere, and be resilient when things change. Don’t be afraid to collaborate with your colleagues or ask questions.