Alumni Q&A: Nancy Walter, '11 BSc MLS

Meet the new chair of the FoMD Alumni Advisory Council. Nancy Walter, '11 BSc MLS, has built her career around making Alberta's health system work better. She now leads partnerships at Alberta Innovates that turn promising ideas into real changes in patient care. We asked her what drives her and what she hopes to build with fellow alumni.

What sparked your interest in volunteering with your alma mater?

The further I advance in my professional and personal life, the more I appreciate those who have opened doors for me and seen possibilities in me that I hadn’t yet seen, or believed in, myself. That’s why community, connection and giving back have become especially important to me, and the U of A is a big part of that.

Through my role at Alberta Innovates, I have the privilege of supporting University of Alberta researchers and innovators through our funding initiatives. I get a front row seat to the incredible ideas taking shape here and the impact they can have in Edmonton, across Alberta and around the world. It’s a wonderful reminder of why I’m proud to be a U of A alum.

I’m especially excited to help future or recent graduates stay connected and discover what this community can offer such as mentorship, friendships, fresh perspectives and opportunities to make a difference. Graduation is just the beginning of belonging to a lifelong network you can learn from, contribute to and grow with. Looking back, I wish I’d recognized sooner just how lucky I am to be a part of it.

What are you most looking forward to as Chair of the Alumni Advisory Council?

What excites me most is bringing together two things I really care about: people and making meaningful impact. As Chair, I’m looking forward to working with fellow council members and alumni to build connections that open doors, spark ideas and help graduates see new possibilities for themselves. People have done that for me, and I’m grateful for the chance to pay it forward. I hope we can help more alumni feel connected and see how their experiences and contributions can make a difference to their peers and the wider U of A community.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to recent grads?

Don’t be afraid to take an unconventional path! Staying curious and open to opportunities has led my own career in unexpected, but very welcome, directions, and I’m grateful for the experiences and connections along the way. Stay connected with your university peers and be curious about the paths they take. Their experiences may introduce you to possibilities you didn’t even know existed. You don’t need to have the whole journey mapped out to take a meaningful next step.

What’s your favourite U of A memory that still makes you smile?

One of my favourite U of A memories is a conversation that changed the course of my academic path and future career. I was in my first year, having moved from Germany to attend the U of A, and was still finding my footing in Canada and the university system. I was studying genetics but considering a move into Medical Laboratory Sciences because I was drawn to a program that would connect my love of life sciences with a clear professional path.

With the application deadline approaching, I booked an advising appointment with the program coordinator, Jennifer McPhee. I arrived with many questions and uncertainties and very little confidence. She welcomed me with warmth, patience and a belief in me that I hadn’t yet found in myself.

I still remember sitting in her office and how much her encouragement meant to me. That conversation helped me see a possibility for my future and gave me the confidence to pursue it. I’m still grateful for the time she took and the door she helped open. I think that moment has stayed with me because it reminds me of the lasting impact one kind, encouraging human interaction can have. What may have been a small moment to her made a lasting difference in my life.