Team Member

Employer Education Specialist

sarapicard@uvic.ca

canassist@uvic.ca

Sara Picard is a social work professional who’s passionate about helping create inclusive workplaces and supporting communities through education and advocacy. As an Employer Education Specialist with CanAssist, she works with employers across Greater Victoria to build awareness and confidence in inclusive hiring and workplace accessibility. In this role, she delivers workshops, develops practical resources, and provides guidance that helps employers implement strategies for welcoming and retaining employees with disabilities.

Sara brings over seven years of experience in social services, having worked as a Behavioural Interventionist, Care Aide, Client Support Worker, and Shelter Case Manager. She has supported individuals facing accessibility challenges, behavioral needs, and housing instability. These experiences have strengthened her skills in relationship building, advocacy, and community engagement, giving her a clear understanding of the real-world barriers people face and the practical steps that can help create more inclusive opportunities.

Sara holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Carleton University and approaches her work with a person-centered, trauma-informed perspective. She combines empathy with practical guidance to help employers understand inclusive employment practices and implement effective workplace strategies. Collaboration, empowerment, and respect for diverse experiences are central to her work, guiding her interactions with both participants and organizational partners.

Outside of her professional life, Sara enjoys yoga, pottery, and exploring her creativity through art, which help her stay grounded and balanced. She shares her home with her cat, Korra, whose companionship is a daily reminder of the importance of care, connection, and mindfulness. These personal passions inform the values she brings to her work and her commitment to supporting others.

Sara acknowledges that she lives and works on the traditional, unceded territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Esquimalt) and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples. She is committed to learning from Indigenous communities, practicing reconciliation through action, and contributing to inclusive and equitable systems that benefit everyone in the communities she serves.