Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Training
Languages
Timeline
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Maria Kalivas

Laval

Summary

Collaborative leader with dedication to partnering with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Manager, Workforce Planning-Eastern Canada In-Terminal Operations

Air Canada
06.2020 - Current
  • Strategic Planning: I craft long-term workforce strategies that support Air Canada’s broader corporate goals
  • Team Leadership: I nurture a team-oriented environment that promotes collaboration and high performance, all while maintaining employee satisfaction
  • Operational Excellence: I have successfully overseen the transition of a new station into Air Canada’s In-terminal operations. This required detailed planning, cross-departmental coordination, and a focus on seamless operational integration. Through my leadership, the new station’s transition was executed flawlessly, demonstrating my capacity for managing intricate projects, leading transformative initiatives, and achieving outcomes that bolster Air Canada’s service quality and customer experience
  • I am also spearheading the transition of two additional stations into our In-terminal operations' network. This involves strategic oversight and project management to ensure that these stations are integrated smoothly and efficiently, further expanding our operational capabilities and enhancing customer service.

Manager, PSS Ops Readiness

Air Canada
12.2018 - 06.2020
  • I developed and executed a proof of concept for ACpedia2 page renewal to reflect all changes needed due to adoption of Altea
  • My team collaborated across business units with appropriate information exchanges to ensure cross-branch information in ACpedia2 is consistent, accurate and up to date
  • I put in place and maintained an effective working relationship with PSS Communications, Change Management and other branches/departments to ensure that all cross-functional needs were met as the PSS- ACpedia2 project was a significant change in the business, and had an aggressive deadline.
  • Communicated clearly with employees, suppliers and stakeholders to keep everyone on same page and working toward established business goals.

Manager, PSS Resource Planning and Training Delivery

Air Canada
08.2018 - 11.2018
  • I was responsible for providing the leadership and direction to ensure that all aspects of the PSS training are completed in accordance with the project and end user adoption
  • I was a strategic resource planning partner across diverse operational and corporate functions supporting PSS Stakeholder Branches
  • Led the resource planning and delivery activities for all airports and contact centers worldwide (Air Canada / 3rd parties) and collaborated with the Revenue Management group for resource planning initiatives
  • Maintained constant communication with the PSS project and core teams, affected branches and other end user stakeholder groups to ensure that all the training activities (design & delivery) met the expectations and operational needs
  • Interfaced with Airports and Contact Centers resource planning departments in developing and implementing staffing and training requirements
  • Worked with Labor Relations for control and implementation of training actions
  • Engaged and built working relationships with the functional groups and local Union leadership
  • Directed and strategically developed the PSS training deployment activities and personnel in support of an effective and efficient operation long term and short term to support the PSS goals and objectives
  • Identified scheduling gaps with stakeholders to ensure resources are in place for maximum results
  • Provided direction in the delivery of the PSS training program including scheduling and design.

PSS Training Design Manager

Air Canada
03.2018 - 07.2018
  • Responsible to design the new training for all future ALTEA users ensuring that Air Canada’s operational and business needs are met by participating in needs assessment and needs analysis workshops.

Resource Planning Manager

Air Canada
01.2015 - 02.2018
  • Lead the Manpower Planning activities for the station from the un-stacking process through the planning phase to final staff levels and staffing actions
  • Control Station manpower adjustments on a monthly/weekly and daily basis as required by changes in the schedule or work requirements
  • Work with Labor Relations for control and implementation of staffing actions in support of manpower strategies
  • Interface with Corporate Resource Planning in developing and implementing staffing requirements
  • Direct and strategically develop the manpower deployment activities and personnel in support of an effective and efficient operation long term and short term
  • Develop, implement and administer all employee bidding processes for work schedules and vacations
  • Work with the Time and Attendance function at the station to implement a unified, consistent long and short-term approach to managing employee attendance, injuries and safe working habits
  • Review engagement standards for more efficient planning of work content.
  • Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.

Resource Deployment Manager

Air Canada
01.2012 - 01.2015
  • Played a critical role in achieving company-wide compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements by ensuring all deployments adhered to established policies and procedures.
  • Oversaw risk mitigation strategies during high-stakes deployments, minimizing potential negative impacts on mission-critical systems and end users alike.
  • Coordinated communication efforts between all affected parties during complex deployments, ensuring clear expectations were set and met at every stage of the process.
  • Mentored junior team members in best practices for effective deployment management, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the department.

Passenger Service Agent

Air Canada
04.2007 - 12.2011
  • Delivered excellent customer service under high-pressure situations while maintaining a calm demeanor throughout daily operations.
  • Assisted passengers with check-in and boarding processes, enforcing compliance with airline policies.
  • Efficiently processed travel documents, verifying identification accuracy according to security protocols before boarding flights.
  • Demonstrated adaptability by adjusting quickly to changes in flight schedules or gate assignments.
  • Educated passengers on safety procedures and provided assistance to disabled passengers

Education

Strengthening Self-Advocacy -

UC Berkeley Executive Education
11.2023

Enhancing Team Wellbeing -

Duke Corporate Education
07.2021

Communicating Persuasively and Building Trust -

Stanford University Graduate School
05.2021

Accelerating Change Readiness and Agility Experience -

UC Berkeley Executive Education
05.2021

Adapting to Changing Contexts -

Stanford University Graduate School
04.2021

Instructor-Led Training Certificate -

Amadeus
01.2018

Facilitation for Business Professionals -

McGill University- Continuing Education
01.2015

Masters in Arts, English Studies -

Université De Montréal
06.2011

Bachelors of Arts, English Studies -

Université De Montréal
12.2008

Skills

  • Excellent problem solving skills; able to apply creative solutions that have a positive impact on results
  • Recognized ability to work under pressure, handle stressful situations and maintain flexibility
  • Ability to respond quickly to situations and seize opportunities
  • Able to influence, convince and create mutually acceptable solutions in the context of conflicts
  • Possess an energetic and tenacious achievement orientation
  • Exhibit leadership qualities which elicit trust in employees and demonstrate leadership judgment
  • Strong knowledge and expertise in AC safety and service standards as well as labor relations
  • Strong analytical, organizational and planning skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Computer literate: Microsoft Office, Outlook, Internet search engines, Excel, Lotus; Sabre: Staff Admin, Staff Manager; Altea Products Suite: Customer Management and ARD-Web

Training

  • Special Assistance Team
  • Workplace Mental Health Peer Team Support
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Cybersecurity Champion

Languages

French
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Greek
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Manager, Workforce Planning-Eastern Canada In-Terminal Operations

Air Canada
06.2020 - Current

Manager, PSS Ops Readiness

Air Canada
12.2018 - 06.2020

Manager, PSS Resource Planning and Training Delivery

Air Canada
08.2018 - 11.2018

PSS Training Design Manager

Air Canada
03.2018 - 07.2018

Resource Planning Manager

Air Canada
01.2015 - 02.2018

Resource Deployment Manager

Air Canada
01.2012 - 01.2015

Passenger Service Agent

Air Canada
04.2007 - 12.2011

Strengthening Self-Advocacy -

UC Berkeley Executive Education

Enhancing Team Wellbeing -

Duke Corporate Education

Communicating Persuasively and Building Trust -

Stanford University Graduate School

Accelerating Change Readiness and Agility Experience -

UC Berkeley Executive Education

Adapting to Changing Contexts -

Stanford University Graduate School

Instructor-Led Training Certificate -

Amadeus

Facilitation for Business Professionals -

McGill University- Continuing Education

Masters in Arts, English Studies -

Université De Montréal

Bachelors of Arts, English Studies -

Université De Montréal

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