Meet Julie Brisebois, General Manager of Cornelius
|Interview
Julie Brisebois has been at the helm of Montreal’s Cornelius Residence since last December, bringing her extensive hospitality experience to the role. We caught up with her to talk about her journey and what makes her tick – and she was excited to share!
Julie, after spending 16 years at Group Germain Hotels, you shifted to the PSR sector. What drew you to pursue your career with Le Groupe Maurice?
About four years ago, I began looking into services offered for active retirees, since my parents were getting older. I met with some people who worked with the seniors, and Le Groupe Maurice really caught my attention with its values. Actually, I have a funny story: I was recently searching for a notebook at home and stumbled upon one with a list of companies I’d targeted for my next job – and Le Groupe Maurice was one of them! I’d been following the organization for years and was really impressed by its reputation, values and approach to better-aging and respecting older people.
I also strongly believe that older individuals have a great deal to teach us and can continue to make valuable contributions to our community. Spending time with them every day is incredibly rewarding. Plus, I get the sense that Le Groupe Maurice employees are here for all the right reasons. When you bring together people with such wonderful values, you can’t help but get great results!
What inspired you to work in a residence?
I feel really fortunate to be working in such a setting. As we get to know the residents, we build strong connections and come up with ideas that cater to their needs and wishes. Today’s seniors are vibrant and full of energy – it’s truly inspiring! Since joining Cornelius, I’ve had some amazing conversations with the activities committee, and they’re bursting with ideas. I’m still learning the ropes, but I’m excited to meet everyone. I know there are people here with amazing life stories to share. I’m happy to be a part of this residence’s growth and evolution.
What does this career change mean to you?
On a personal level, it makes me want to age well. That’s my ultimate goal. I think this stage can be quite dynamic, positive and empowering. I’m actually happy to be growing older; I see it as a privilege!
What skills or experience can you bring to the table in your current position?
I come from a human-focused setting. At Group Germain Hotels, we aimed to pamper our guests and surprise them. I developed skills to build trust and read between the lines to make people happy. For me, listening and kindness are top priorities. I genuinely want the best for the residents living here.
What challenges are you prepared to take on?
We’re in a community where everyone is unique, with different wants and needs. So, the challenge will be to find ways to make the majority happy, which is my number one priority as general manager. I want people to love living here at Cornelius, so they stay connected with their community and feel right at home.
Julie, how do you think people would describe you?
I think people would say I’m someone who really cares about others. I want those around me to be happy and fulfilled – it’s a mindset I developed during my years working in hospitality. My goal is to create a sense of community and pride here at the residence. I’m convinced that, together, we can accomplish amazing things!
How do you connect with older adults?
I lost my grandparents when I was pretty young, but I was lucky to have some great-aunts in my life. One of them, in particular, made me love December 31st – it’s still my favourite day of the year. Every New Year’s Eve, she’d invite the whole family over and we’d dance the night away. I’ve been surrounded by older adults my whole life. More recently, a close friend’s grandmother would join us at work for dinner, and we always had so much fun with her. Lots of the people who’ve had a big impact on my life have been older. So, when I decided to use my skills to help them, I knew I’d made the right choice. It’s a perfect match for me!
I think it’s really important to keep sharing our challenges with our older loved ones. We can learn so much from their experiences. Just because they’re retired doesn’t mean they’re not interested in what’s going on in our lives. They have valuable perspectives to share and are still eager to learn new things.
What’s the most fulfilling part of working with older people?
I love seeing them thrive – it totally changes how we think about aging. For me, there’s nothing more enjoyable than watching older individuals try something new and feel proud about themselves. And when things get tough, I’m here to listen. It’s an honour to earn the trust of older people and have them feel comfortable opening up to us.
What message do you want to relay to the residents of Cornelius?
I want this stage of life to be the most exciting one yet. I want them to look forward to what’s coming and be eager to see what happens. I want aging to be a genuinely enjoyable experience and to change people’s perceptions of growing old. I believe it’s possible to try new things at 80. My parents are living proof. My father played hockey until he was 82. Now, he skates three times a week. He also plays golf. My mother recently started doing puzzles. She’d never done them before in her life. At one point, I got her to try yoga, and she loved it. My parents truly inspire me!
Now, let’s get a bit more personal. What’s a secret talent you’d like to share with the residents?
I’m not sure if it’s a talent, but I sing all the time. I couldn’t live without music!
What sport do you like best?
I played tennis for ages, and I love watching matches on TV. I also like Formula 1 racing. And growing up, I’d also watch hockey games with my dad and uncles.
What song makes you want to get up and dance?
There are quite a few, but I’d have to go with Let’s Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez.
What’s your favourite meal?
My mother has Italian roots. Her sauce and meatballs are delicious. I could eat them every day. At Christmas, she also makes her great-grandmother’s pastries and shares them with family members. I’m lucky: I have a real chef for a mom!
If you had a magic wand, what would you wish for?
It’s tempting to say health, but I’d love to eliminate worry from people’s lives. I wish we could stop stressing about the future, because it impedes us from enjoying the here and now. We end up watching life pass us by, and that’s not a good way to live. Living in the moment is tough for a lot of people. But older adults often teach us how to keep things in perspective.