Meet Julie Hayes
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Hello! I’m Julie, Administrative & Development Assistant at Sault Area Hospital Foundation (SAHF). I started at Sault Area Hospital in 2018, and SAHF found me in 2023 - I’ve been helping keep things running smoothly behind the scenes ever since!
What does a typical day look like for you?
My role touches many areas of the Foundation’s work. From gift management and maintaining accurate donor records, to ensuring adequate office coverage supporting our hybrid work schedule, I help keep everything organized and running smoothly — even when there’s a bit of chaos to juggle along the way!
A typical day begins with reviewing and managing incoming and outgoing correspondence to ensure timely communication. I coordinate donor thank you call lists for our Volunteers and Donor Relations team, allowing for acknowledgement of gifts made to us.
I also maintain records for individuals connected to us who have passed away, including those whose families wish to acknowledge the care received at Sault Area Hospital, coordinate memorial gift requests made in honour of loved ones, and prepare cards for families.
A large part of my role is providing support to the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and sub-committees by preparing meeting materials, taking minutes, coordinating information, and helping keep everything organized and on track. And that’s just the work that happens every day!
What do you love most about the work you do?
I genuinely enjoy the organizational side of my role, preparing board materials and helping keep everything in order for our Executive Director. I take a great deal of pride in making sure even the smallest of details are covered. It feels great to know that I’m helping keep everything running smoothly so our team can keep doing this important work.
Why do you work at Sault Area Hospital Foundation?
Funny enough, the Sault Area Hospital Foundation found me! While I was working in the hospital’s Billing department, Teresa Martone, our Executive Director, saw my potential and invited me to join the Foundation team!
I was seeking a change that would allow me to connect more deeply with people, and today I feel grateful to be part of something so meaningful. I get to work alongside people who give back because they care about having the best hospital for their community and their loved ones.
SAHF offers an environment where that passion for making a difference is matched with a strong sense of purpose. Every member of our team truly cares about our work, and it feels really good to be a part of that. Our leadership values each person’s strengths and creates a supportive environment where we can all grow.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy downhill skiing, relaxing on my backyard swing, and listening to my record collection (filled with a wicked mix of 80’s and Taylor Swift). I'm officially in my 'Cruising Era', having recently caught the travel bug (the ship kind, not the driving kind!) Skating used to be in the mix too… until I broke my wrist last time I went. 😅 While no one wants to break a bone, I was incredibly grateful for the excellent care I received at SAH!
If you could choose a theme song for your work day, what would it be?
Oh, my goodness, this is a tough one! Depending on the day and situation, these would be 3 respectable choices:
Weight of Your World – Chris Stapleton Because sometimes people just need someone to help lighten the load. Whether it’s through a conversation or simply being there to support one another, I think there’s real value in helping people carry the weight of their world.
You Get What You Give – New Radicals I’ve always believed in putting kindness and good energy into the universe. Treat people the way you’d want to be treated — that mindset matters in both work and life.
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now – Starship This one’s a favourite because it reminds me that we’re all in this together. Whether we’re supporting donors, families, or each other as a team, there’s something powerful about working toward a shared purpose.
What message would you want to share with our supporters/community?
Thank you for putting your trust in us. Your generosity makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work!
