Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
This month we caught up with our newest addition in Canada, Dani Moore, who joins following a long and successful career in the Canadian military. Read on to find out more about Dani’s background, how she spends her spare time and why she’s been missing Mickey Mouse during lockdown.
When and why did you decide to join Commerce Decisions?
I joined in July this year, right after Canada Day – 31 years after my enrolment date with the military. For the last 13 years I have been a project manager here in Ottawa, Canada, constantly challenged by the huge projects and fluid movement of talent. I believe strongly in mentoring and helping teams to make the most of the time and money available to them. I felt I could have an impact as a part of Commerce Decisions, who have always had such a great reputation in Canada for providing trusted and valuable procurement support.
What are your main responsibilities?
As a Senior Procurement Consultant in Canada, I deliver training on various parts of the procurement process as well as providing consultancy services in criteria development, weighting, standards development and evaluation mediation guidance – wherever the customer needs support to get their RFP out to industry.
What was your background before you joined Commerce Decisions?
I was an engineering officer in the Royal Canadian Navy. When I was 17, I joined the Army Reserves as a Medic (you can never learn too much first aid) to see if the military could be for me. It turned out that it was as I spent the next 30 years happily serving in Victoria on the West Coast, in the UK for 3 years as a Trials Officer, and then in Ottawa as a Project Manager. I have the unusual distinction of having been the Project Manager for two of the Navy’s ship-wide in-service support contracts and responsible for the supportability section for the Canadian Surface Combatant project, so getting supportability right is definitely my favourite part of any procurement.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I have been very active in my son’s Beavers/Cubs/Scouts and my daughter’s Sparks/Brownies/Guides/Pathfinder units. I love how diversified these programs are and that it gets them out of the house. They learn to give back to their communities, how to lead, and how to take care of themselves and others. And while I show them how to make a featherstick out of a chunk of wood or cook pizza in coals, they teach me how to think like a kid and just have fun. It’s a great outlet after a long day inside. I also like travelling so this hiatus on travel has been difficult to endure. There’s definitely a cruise with Mickey in my future when the world starts up again.
What’s an accomplishment that you’re really proud of?
Getting through Military College. Having a Dad in the RCMP meant moving every 2 years and living in some of the most isolated places in Canada with varying educational opportunities. It was an intense struggle, but I am proud of my perseverance and how I took responsibility for my future. It was the first major fight for what I really wanted in life and that kind of challenge teaches you a lot about yourself and what you can do when you really want something.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
Etching out “Me” time 2-3 times a week by getting up early and doing something I love before anyone else wakes up and the demands of the day begin. Sometimes it’s reading, sometimes it’s working on the kid’s scrapbooks, sometimes it’s watching TV. I have such busy unpredictable evenings being a hockey mom, etc. that mornings are precious.
Find out more about how Commerce Decisions are supporting projects in Canada here.
