MY CAREER IN SIX SPOTLIGHT

Barbera Hickey

Director of Operations, Global Transaction Banking Operations

Scotiabank

Sharing her career journey by answering the six questions below.

Who or what has been your biggest source of inspiration throughout your career?

My inspiration comes from the real people behind the work, teams, and the clients and communities we serve.

In banking, I’ve seen how much trust clients place in us during critical moments. That shaped my focus on building strong, reliable systems and teams that can deliver when it matters most.

Outside of work, co-founding Food4Kids Toronto has deepened that perspective. When you’re supporting children who rely on consistent access to food over the weekends, you realize quickly proactive systems and consistency matters.

That’s carried into how I lead: building environments where people feel supported, safe to speak up, and take ownership because that’s where real impact happens.

Would you say your success is primarily due to luck or hard work?

Hard work got me started, but consistency and intention is what moved me forward.

Balancing leadership, community work, and motherhood reframed something for me: stacking versus cycling. At work, I used my strategic muscle – influencing, building systems, shaping teams. With philanthropy, I used my purpose muscle – my why, influencing and creating a better future for the next generation. As a parent, I used my presence muscle – raising preschool twins to solve small problems independently, with empathy. All 3 roles are different muscles rooted in the same intention: to contribute to something bigger than me. When you cycle through one instead of stacking, the other “muscles” rest. And once a month, I turn everything off to recharge then create efficient systems.

What is the driving force behind your career aspirations?

I’m driven by the opportunity to lead by example and create a positive impact on everyone I work with – my team, our clients, family, volunteers and the community.

When we work hard together and recognize each other, we create a much bigger impact because collaboration multiplies effort.

If given the chance to do one thing differently in your career, what would it be and why?

I would have sought a mentor sooner, someone to help me find and use my voice earlier. For a long time, I thought I had to be “fully ready” before stepping into something new. I’ve learned that real growth comes from leaning into discomfort, inviting candid feedback, and making space for voices that aren’t always heard.

What was your most favourite job/role and why?

My current role has been the most rewarding because it brings together everything I care about: people, systems, and impact.

Going from a team of two to leading more than 100, I’ve learned that strong performance doesn’t come from pressure, it comes from connection. When teams feel supported, trusted, and heard, they show up differently for each other and for our clients.

One moment that stayed with me was when a team member asked who they should be “more like.” I told them I wouldn’t answer that because comparing yourself to others can create tension and eventually lead to plateauing. Instead, I want them to compete against themselves, and I’ll help them bring out the best version of who they already are.

Do you have a favourite motto or quote that guides your professional life?

Measure success by the impact you create and the lives you change.