Pam Toovey CPHR, SHRM-SCP

Biography

Pamela Toovey, CPHR, SHRM-SCP HR Director | People & Culture Leader Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Pamela Toovey is a distinguished senior Human Resources leader whose career spans two decades of work across some of Canada's most dynamic sectors — including legal services, social research, retail, and HR consulting. As a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), and Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Pam brings experience, strategic insight, and a genuine, abiding commitment to the people at the heart of an organization. Known among peers and colleagues for her warmth, authenticity, calm professionalism, and unshakeable integrity. Pam has built a reputation as the kind of HR leader who holds the room with quiet authority while never losing sight of the individual in front of her. Her collaborative approach focuses on creating conditions where people and organizations thrive together. Career Journey Pam began her career as an Educator at Sears Canada, where her love for teaching and developing others inspired her path into the HR profession. In 2010, she joined R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd. as HR Manager with the national social research and evaluation firm. Leading complex, multi-faceted HR initiatives in highly skilled project management work which required scaling HR functions and expertise into a national capacity ranging from organizational development, policy, employee relations and workforce planning. From 2020 to 2025, Pam served as HR Manager at Woodward & Company Lawyers LLP, a law firm dedicated to the practice of Aboriginal Law for Indigenous communities, governments, and businesses across Canada. She spearheaded the full-spectrum of HR leadership and cultivated cultural safety within a legal partnership, balancing organizational priorities with a values-based approach. In 2025, she moved into HR consulting, to support clients across diverse sectors in project-based HR consulting services for small and growing businesses. Education Pam completed the Advanced Degree Program in Human Resources Management at Camosun College with a GPA of 8.75/9, earning direct acceptance into a master's program at Royal Roads University, bypassing standard bachelor's requirements. She earned her CPHR designation in 2010 and SHRM-SCP credential in 2019. She is certified in Mental Health First Aid, is a certified Trainer and holds Secret Level Security Clearance. Areas of Expertise Pam's expertise encompasses strategic HR leadership, people and culture, employee relations, HR strategy and planning, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, change management, and organizational development. Professional Philosophy Pam builds HR functions that last and cultivates workplace cultures that thrive so that people and organizations rise together. Pam understands organizational success and employee wellbeing are inseparable. The practice of HR emphasizes listening before acting, building trust before driving change, and balancing fairness with clarity. Pam believes, fundamentally, that culture is not a program to be implemented but a living expression of how an organization succeeds. She is dedicated to creating environments where psychological safety is not an aspiration but a practice, where inclusion is not a checkbox but a culture, and where each employee — regardless of role or tenure — feels genuinely valued and seen. In her view, the most important work an HR professional can do is to inspire everyone to bring their best self to work. Pam values connection, empowerment and professional excellence. She remains engaged in the Canadian HR community, with interests in AI strategy and adoption, workplace culture, psychological safety and inclusive leadership. Through mentoring and advocacy, she supports women on their professional journeys and helps build networks that strengthen communities because when people are supported and championed, everyone benefits.