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Lyle began his career at Dalhousie after graduating with a BA in Psychology and Sociology & Social Anthropology. As a student, he actually worked in his current office— spending three of his four years as a Dal student working for Event & Conference Services!

After leaving school, he spent over a year working in hospitality and tourism – specializing in sales and marketing – before coming back to campus in 2015.

Working for Event & Conference Services, he has had many roles from Conference Coordinator, to Acting Sales Manager – even Interim Operations Manager. In a volunteer capacity, he's served as Chair of the Dalhousie Alumni Halifax Chapter and currently serves on the Dalhousie Alumni Association board of directors. 

What are you passionate about in your industry/specialization?

I’m passionate about bringing people together and allowing event attendees to foster genuine, long-lasting, connections. I’m also very passionate about intelligent and clever visual branding. 

What is the most important thing you have learned while working at Dalhousie?

The most important thing I’ve learned during my time working at Dalhousie is that you can’t meaningfully accomplish anything without cross-unit collaboration. Recognizing that all staff, no matter what unit we work in, are all ultimately here for the same reason… for the benefit of our students. 

What was your biggest challenge this past year?

Over the past year (and then some), I’ve been working to establish Shirreff Hall as one of Halifax’s premier seasonal wedding venues. Capable of hosting up to 250 between May and August of each year, Shirreff Hall has become an incredibly popular option for both weddings and corporate banquet dinners. Establishing a university dining hall (albeit a beautiful one) as a banquet space has been a challenge, but a worthwhile one. 

What are you passionate about personally? What do you really enjoy? What can’t you stop talking about?

I’m very passionate in my activism around LGBTQ2IS+ issues affecting Nova Scotians – especially our youth. I currently serve as Chairperson for the Youth Project of Nova Scotia, a not-for-profit organization that has been working in our province since 1993 to provide support and services to youth around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. 

Where can we find you when you’re not working? 

If I’m not in my office – or running around campus to my next meeting – then I can usually be found relaxing and catching up on my favourite podcast, TV show or movie. I’ve also recently been enjoying spending time in my kitchen (which is very unlike me)… who knew that cooking could be so relaxing!

Tell me about someone who has had a large influence on you and your work at Dalhousie.

Throughout my time at Dalhousie, I’ve been lucky enough to connect with such a diverse group of colleagues. People from varying backgrounds with different skillsets and lots to teach; there is so much inspired leadership at Dalhousie, it’s difficult to choose just one person. 

What has surprised you most about working at Dalhousie?

The university’s willingness (and eagerness) to invest in their employees through professional and educational development opportunities. This is something that, I think, many who have worked on campus for some time can begin to take for granted… but having recently returned from the “corporate world”, I can definitely say that it’s a unique benefit to working at an institution like Dalhousie.

Hidden talent?

Oh, gosh… I can probably recite Céline Dion’s entire discography (both English and French) from memory. Potentially in order… after a couple of glasses of red wine, of course! ;-) 

How would (someone) describe you?

Very… theatrical.  

What does the DPMG mean to you?

The DPMG provides me the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of professionals – my colleagues – who I wouldn’t necessarily otherwise have the chance to connect with. It provides us all, with our varied roles and responsibilities, a commonality that wouldn’t exist without the DPMG. 

What problems do you consistently solve for your clients/students/coworkers?

I’m a millennial – so for my colleagues of a more mature generation – I become the resident IT specialist.