The spotlight is on and we’re giving you a sneak peek at the real lives of the people behind Ramp.

Get to know our wonderful Office Admin. Lisa Lebeer:

Where did you grow up?

In a tiny place. It’s actually a hamlet in southwestern Ontario called Lynedoch and coincidentally is only fifteen minutes from where our designer Kelsey grew up!

Where have you lived?

The first 18 years of my life were spent in a rural Ontario hamlet (see above). Once I made my escape, I lived in 8 cities across 3 Canadian provinces. I also spent half a year working as an au pair in a village in South Bucks, UK. But my favourite place to call home was Montreal, where I worked as an assistant for a DJ giving me the chance to experience the laid-back lifestyle of a true Quebecer. After dating my now husband long-distance for one and a half years, I moved back to Toronto where I’ve been for the past 13 years. Time flies.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

How did you end up at Ramp and what do you like about working here?

I’ve worked in a lot of different industries from telecommunications, training, and entertainment, to association management, and healthcare just to name a few. After being at home caring for my kids, I found Ramp. I love the many hats I wear as an office administrator here, but my favourite part is having the opportunity to work with a fantastic team of like-minded individuals. Every team member here cares about the greater good and although we all have different strengths, we have the ability to work together as one cohesive unit. It’s like nothing I’ve ever previously experienced despite the wide variety of industries and sizes of offices I’ve been in. I wake up every day feeling incredibly lucky to work with such a special group of individuals.

Do you have any favourite hobbies, if so what are they?

In warmer weather, I quite enjoy stand up paddle boarding both on Lake Ontario and in cottage country. In the fall and winter months, I spend more time than I probably should managing my fantasy football team. Despite making it to the Playoffs in 4 out of 5 seasons and to the Finals 3 times – the Championship title still sadly eludes me.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I can donate a pint of blood in under 6 minutes. I also enjoy putting together spectacular cheese and charcuterie boards for sharing with family and friends. I have yet to master doing both at the same time.

What’s your favourite movie and why?

An all-time favourite is Terms of Endearment – the story is relatable and the acting is superb. It won FIVE academy awards in 1983! This particular movie is one of those rare cases where the film is actually BETTER than the novel. Sorry, Larry McMurtry

What’s one new thing you’d like to learn this year?

How to drive the boat at the family cottage and how to properly stern a canoe.

Are you planning anything fun this summer?

It’s been a great summer weather wise – hot, hazy & humid is right up my alley. During the summer months, my family and I try to spend as much time as possible at our ‘off-the-grid’ cottage in Algonquin Provincial Park. It’s been in my husband’s family for over seventy years and it is the best place to find peace, take time off to relax and unwind.

What’s your favourite ad or campaign of all time?

A few years ago Always launched their #LikeAGirl campaign and its message has stuck with me since I first saw it. The campaign included a filmed social experiment that was broadcast during the Super Bowl to help bring to light the stigma associated with the phrase ‘Like A Girl.’ What exactly does it mean to run/throw/fight like a girl? Many people didn’t previously realize the insulting implications of the phrase and that it could be detrimental to young girls’ self-esteem. Research has shown that young girls are in a confidence crisis around puberty and the phrase ‘Like A Girl’ could limit girls’ behaviour.  The experiment revealed that the pre-adolescent girls filmed were completely uninhibited. The phrase run/throw/fight ‘Like A Girl’ for them, just meant to do things the way they normally do. The campaign continues today with the hashtag #LikeAGirl being used to bring to light other issues surrounding gender inequality.

What’s one thing not a lot of people know about you?

My husband and I took up curling a few years ago and now we curl in a mixed league throughout the winter season. In addition to being quite possibly the most Canadian sport that wasn’t invented by a Canadian, one could argue that it is the ultimate game of strategy and execution. In the spring I took the Ramp team out curling with us, it was pretty fun. Hurry Hard!

What’s your favourite hidden gem in Toronto?

I love spending time on the Toronto Islands. In my opinion, the islands are the jewel of the city, like our own little pedestrian & cycle friendly escape from the hustle & bustle of daily urban life. The ferry ride over is half the fun, bring a picnic lunch and a few cold beverages and you’re all set!

What’s your favourite travel destination?

Hawaii tops my favourite travel destination. I’ve visited four of the Hawaiian islands on a number of different trips. It’s hard to explain why… The ocean? The scenery? The culture? It truly is the most magical place on earth, and now you know where you’ll find me in my retirement.

In case you missed it, check out our spotlight on our Designer Kelsey, Art Director Sheree, Director of Client Services Doug, and our Creative Director David.

Up next, we’ll be catching up with our Senior Project Manager, Jeff Gougeon. Don’t miss it!