Manisha Willms of the OSNS Child Development Centre
Manisha Willms is executive director of the OSNS Child Development Centre. She grew up in Vancouver and Prince George and earned her bachelor’s degree in linguistics and speech sciences from UBC and a masters in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Montana.
She is the mother of two “totally cool” sons.
She spoke with Herald editor James Miller recently about her job and life experiences prior to joining OSNS in 2013.
HERALD: How did you become interested in linguistics and speech-language pathology?
WILLMS: The power and complexity of human communication is intriguing to me. Helping children interact with the world around them, in different formats — speaking, signing, facial expression, writing — it’s really a fulfilling undertaking.
HERALD: What has been the most satisfying part of your job since joining OSNS in 2013?
WILLMS: Advancing the quality of care through a sense of team, for sure. In a non-profit with an important mission, all our staff from front desk to educators to clinicians work so very hard. Being constantly curious about how best to help them do their jobs is an opportunity I am thankful for.
HERALD: What has been the greatest challenge?
WILLMS: Funding. Again, for sure. Specifically for the treatment side of OSNS. After four years, I am still somewhat mystified that we don’t do a better job of funding early treatment services for children. We have solid evidence of the long-term societal benefits. There is simply no reasonable counter argument to taking better care of children.
HERALD: Most people have heard of OSNS, but don’t know the good work that goes on there. In a nutshell, what is the purpose of the centre?
WILLMS: I like to say that our product is confidence. If you support children with walking, talking, thinking and behaviour when they are young, they will have the confidence to join soccer, to make friends, to participate in class. When you can support parents, you build their confidence in advocating for their children. The result is stronger communities.
HERALD: How many people do you employ and how many volunteers do you have?
WILLMS: We have about 45 team members. And there are so many friends of OSNS in the South Okanagan. During an event like the telethon, our volunteer numbers soar — but then we also have a consistent number of folks who help us out year round.
HERALD: How big was scoring a partnership with Duncan Keith’s “Keith Relief” to the organization?
WILLMS: Duncan has been very gracious with his generosity. And his name as a professional hockey player brings attention to our services, so it is really significant. Having said that, I am respectful of every dollar we receive and I understand the important relevance of even a $10 donation from someone on a fixed income.
HERALD: What do you most enjoy about your job?
WILLMS: I recently did a story time in our integrated daycare centre. I read them Paper Bag Princess. It was so much fun, I felt on top of the world. But I have to add that I really just enjoy the feeling of the centre. Staff, volunteers, donor supporters — all sort of united under the banner of human and helping children. It’s a great vibe.
HERALD: Earlier in life you spent about 10 years working abroad in the field. Has working in different countries brought a different perspective to your career?
WILLMS: Absolutely. I am so grateful for freedom. We can pursue our career desires regardless of gender and race or any of the other personal identifiers that some countries want to convert into barriers. I also feel that this supportive setting hands us the responsibility of leadership in terms of quality care. We have to do right by kids. Our future literally depends on it.
HERALD: Your bio says that you love scuba diving. What’s been the most exciting dive of your life?
WILLMS: With a whale shark in the Red Sea. For sure. It was so beautiful, I was rendered speechless for hours.
HERALD: What part of a newspaper do you usually turn to first?
WILLMS: What a great question. It’s a tie: world news, cause I miss being out there; and obituaries, because I like to read how people love and celebrate their family.
HERALD: What do you enjoy about residing in the Okanagan?
WILLMS: Warm wind in the summer.