Linda Buabdallakh: Senior Financial Analyst

Based in Montreal, Quebec, Linda Buabdallakh is a Senior Financial Analyst in the Procurement, Accounting and Controls Directorate with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Linda’s unit provides support to ECCC employees on financial systems and coordinates several financial transformation and modernization projects. In her 10 years with the department, one standout advancement has been ECCC’s adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accommodations in terms of Human Resources and IT was quick and responsive, and noteworthy was the Department’s ability to maintain its core mandated activities throughout this unprecedented public health emergency. A final advancement, she shared with a chuckle, has been her close colleagues’ ability to pronounce her surname correctly.

While it is difficult for Linda to decide on a single favourite element of working at ECCC, she draws attention to her colleagues, and the lessons they have taught her professionally and personally throughout her career. Linda in turn translates those lessons into actions: whether it is simply by making one’s task easier, one’s day brighter, one’s question answered, or a project moved forward, Linda’s goal is to make a positive difference.

Here are a few random facts about Linda:

• What was your first job? Baker at Loblaws supermarket.
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? Space! However, if by “world” we are limited to planet Earth, then the Sandwich Islands.
• What is your favourite game or sport to watch and play? Play volleyball, and watch soccer.
• Would you rather ride a bike, ride a horse, or drive a car? Ride a horse.
• If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? It would be a disaster!
• If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to? Unless travelling to the future is an option, I wouldn’t time travel.
• What are your hobbies? Learning languages, cooking and travelling.
• What is your favourite flavour of ice cream? Pistachio.
• How many pairs of shoes do you own? Around 60.
• If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have? The powers of all superheroes combined. I would be a super-duper-hero!
• What form of public transportation do you prefer? (air, boat, train, bus, car, etc.) Helicopters.
• What's your favourite zoo animal? A Sloth.
• Summer or winter? SUMMER!
• If you could share a meal with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? My grandparents.
• What's your favourite holiday? Navruz.
• What's your favourite fast food? Sushi.
• Do you love or hate rollercoasters? Love.
• Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Trotting the globe.