In Part Two of our conversation with longtime Ontario public servant Barb Simmons, she takes us back to her early days of computing in the  Ontario Public Service (OPS) that included reel-to-reel backups, sneakernets, and the thrill of a first PalmPilot. Barb reflects further on her early career in apprenticeship and training policy, the high-pressure moments that shaped her ethics, and the hard-won lessons she worked to pass forward in mentorship. We explore her 23-role career path, the unmatched mobility within the OPS, and the realities of navigating crises. Barb also shares proud milestones, from leading major federal–provincial integrations, to supporting Indigenous women’s leadership, and her late-career mentoring work to make the OPS more inclusive for neurodivergent staff.

Disclaimer:
Any statistics, facts or data references mentioned in this episode have not been independently verified and may not reflect the most accurate, complete, or current data. Please consult reliable sources for up-to-date and authoritative information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.