“A Chance to Give Back”: Finding Confidence and Community in Québec’s Professional Landscape
An interview with Circonflexe mentee Gracia Dyer Jalea
In our ongoing Mentee Spotlight series, we sat down with Circonflexe mentee Gracia Dyer Jalea to learn more about her journey in the program, what motivates her, and how she’s using her experience to give back to her community.
After relocating from Toronto to Montréal with her family, Gracia saw an opportunity to strengthen her French, deepen her understanding of Québec’s professional landscape, and contribute meaningfully to the city she now calls home.
With its blend of language development and professional support, the Circonflexe mentorship program felt like a natural next step.
“I was thrilled to discover the Circonflexe Mentorship Program,” says Gracia. “I love Montréal and am keen to stay here, so the combination of language development and professional mentorship made this a uniquely appealing opportunity! It offers a path toward stable employment and a chance to give back to a city that means so much to me.”
A lifelong learner at heart, Gracia approaches her own personal development goals with a deep belief that learning is a shared journey.
“As I approach my mid-forties, I’ve been looking for a mentor who recognizes that I’ve accomplished meaningful things in my career, despite following an untraditional path across multiple industries, including roles as a founder and leader. I wanted guidance and support from someone who understands this journey, someone who could help me explore next steps, find new opportunities in Québec, and not feel like I'm alone on that journey.”
Gracia is a co-founder of the Toronto Ward Museum and has led major initiatives in programming, advocacy, policy, and fundraising across sectors. She has also taught Public Affairs Communications at Concordia University’s School of Community and Public Affairs and is now completing her PhD in the university’s INDI program, building on earlier studies in culture, media, and business.
What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned from your mentor?
“The most valuable lesson I’ve learned from my mentor is to be more confident in my ability to speak French, even if it's not perfect. It’s all part of the journey of learning a second language. I’ve also learned the importance of being clear about what I'm looking for—painting a picture of my dream job—and not being afraid to engage in informal conversations when opportunities arise, rather than dismissing them too quickly. It’s about exploring where there’s potential to collaborate, partner, and negotiate.”
What recommendations would you give to others interested in Circonflexe?
“Circonflexe is an essential program for the province of Québec. It helps retain world-class talent and much-needed diverse skill sets, while also preserving and honouring the French language, an important part of what makes this province so unique. The program fosters better integration and collaboration among everyone living in Québec, helping people connect more meaningfully, participate more fully in society, and contribute to the province’s ongoing growth. By supporting inclusion and opportunity, Circonflexe strengthens Québec’s ability to attract global investment, industry, and innovation, ensuring that Montréal and the province remain attractive, influential and competitive on the world stage. This province needs more funding and support for programs like this, because I suspect that those investments will yield great returns for the province and put it in good standing for the future!”
Gracia’s story captures what Circonflexe is all about–using every opportunity to grow, connect, and contribute to a prosperous future for all Québecers.
