Our People: Meet Émilie Borodine

Putting people at the core of everything we do is paramount at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). We’re proud to be a people-first organization, where employees are supported, valued, and empowered to thrive, both personally and professionally.

Through the Our People series on BCIT News, we celebrate the passion, expertise, and impact of individuals who help shape a better future at BCIT and beyond.

Meet Émilie Borodine, Project Coordinator, ConnectHER Hub, who has been working at BCIT for over two and a half years. Émilie’s work focuses on advancing equity at BCIT by supporting the retention and advancement of women and gender-diverse students in trades through the ConnectHER Hub program.

What has been your most memorable moment working at BCIT?

One of my most memorable moments at BCIT happened during one of our monthly lunches at the ConnectHER Hub. A female instructor shared her story with me how, at one point, she and her young daughter were living in a car, and how someone gave her the chance to work in the trades. That opportunity changed everything: she earned her Red Seal, became an instructor at BCIT, and her daughter has since grown up to become an engineer.

Now, she openly shares this story with her students so they feel safe coming to her if they’re struggling with challenges that might stand in the way of their success. Her honesty and resilience deeply moved me. This story has never left me. It reminds me of the power of opportunity and why creating supportive spaces for students and colleagues matters so much.

What do you enjoy the most about working in post-secondary education?

What I enjoy most about working in post-secondary is the chance to collaborate across departments and involve students in meaningful projects. I love how applied learning brings ideas to life in ways that benefit both students and the Institute.

This Fall, ConnectHER is serving as a client in the Digital Design + Development (D3) capstone, where over 80 students will co-create digital tools that respond to real needs we hear from women and gender-diverse trades students. Projects include an AI Career Pathway Guide to map clear next steps in trades, and a Predictive Retention Tool to help identify and support students at-risk of disengagement.

We’re also supporting the Zero Energy & Emissions Buildings (ZEB) Learning Centre Passive House Micro Factory by embedding equity into its design and delivery.

For me, these collaborations are the heart of why I love this work. They reflect an entrepreneurial mindset of building, experimenting, and finding innovative ways to advance inclusion and student success. It’s about creating opportunities, testing new ideas, and working with students and the Institute to shape solutions that last.

What are projects or initiatives that you have completed at the Institute that you are proud of?

One of the initiatives I’m most proud of is helping to grow the ConnectHER Hub, which opened in Fall 2024 as a dedicated space for women and gender-diverse trades students at BCIT. In such a short time, the Hub has already become both a resource center and a community space. A place to connect, network, and feel supported. Because in the trades, just like in life, you really do need a village to thrive.

In less than a year, we’ve already hosted six major events and conferences, creating momentum and visibility for equity in the trades. I’m especially excited about the Leadership Accelerator for Trades Students (LATS), a two-year pilot supporting 20 students across different trades and stages of training, from foundation-level to pre–Red Seal. The program blends confidence building, communication, conflict resolution, career navigation, and entrepreneurship, using a co-designed peer mentorship model.

For me, the heart of this work is helping students not just survive their journey but strive toward leadership and entrepreneurial roles. Watching ConnectHER Hub grow into a true community and catalyst for change has been deeply rewarding.

Do you have a favourite spot or activity at the BCIT campuses that you enjoy spending your time at and why? 

I take a lot of pleasure in foraging on campus. There are so many edible gardens tucked away. It’s a great way to get outside of my own area, explore the campus (which we all know is a bit of a maze!), and connect with students and peers along the way.

I also love spending time at the Gathering Place. It’s a stunning space for Indigenous students/staff and offers such meaningful cultural and educational activities.

Share with us how what you are passionate about outside of work.

Outside of work, I’m deeply passionate about my wellness practice. I support women through therapeutic art, breathwork, and nutrition for hormonal balance, helping them navigate challenges such as infertility, PMS, PCOS, and endometriosis. My goal is to guide women to reconnect with their bodies, view their cycle as a compass for overall health, and find greater clarity, peace, and empowerment in their life journey.

And when I’m not doing that, you’ll usually find me outdoors—especially on the water, identifying marine wildlife.