From sport psychology to talent acquisition: Gracelyn Kaine's career journey
When Gracelyn Kaine graduated from the University of New Brunswick Saint John with a degree in Sport & Exercise Psychology, she wasn't sure where her career path would lead. Like many new graduates, applying to a major employer without a traditional business or engineering background felt intimidating.
Today, she helps thousands of candidates and hundreds of students make a similar leap, connecting them with opportunities across J.D. Irving, Limited's diverse businesses through her role in Talent Acquisition.
"I didn't have a traditional business degree or engineering degree," Gracelyn recalls, “but I had experience and I took a chance."
Gracelyn joined JDI in August 2018 as a Benefits Coordinator, supporting employees on leave and helping administer employee benefit programs. As she developed her skills and gained experience, she took on expanded responsibilities within Human Resources before transitioning into Talent Acquisition.
In this role, she supports recruitment initiatives across the organization, helping balance hiring needs while ensuring candidates have a positive experience throughout the hiring process.
"We receive more than 365,000 applications a year," she says. "What I enjoy most is finding ways to improve the hiring experience for both candidates and hiring teams. It's rewarding to see how process improvements and new ideas can positively impact hiring across the organization.”
In addition to supporting overall recruitment efforts, Gracelyn oversees the company's student talent initiatives, including the JDI on Campus program. She is passionate about helping students discover opportunities they may not have considered and ensuring they see a future for themselves within the organization.
"Students are the future of our workforce," she says. "We want to show up on campus in a way that gives every student a positive experience and helps them understand the opportunities available at JDI.
Each year, more than 900 students participate in co-op, internship and summer student roles across JDI companies. Through development opportunities such as interview workshops, leadership panels and networking events, students gain exposure to different businesses and career paths throughout the organization.
With JDI on Campus events returning to universities and colleges across Atlantic Canada this fall, Gracelyn and the recruitment team looks forward to connecting with students, sharing career opportunities and demonstrating that there is a place for people from all backgrounds at JDI.
"My message when I'm on campus is always that you're not limited by your program," she says. "We have opportunities for people with all kinds of backgrounds."
Her own career journey is proof of that philosophy.
Outside of her day-to-day responsibilities, Gracelyn is known for getting involved wherever she can. She has participated in numerous employee and community initiatives, including the Saint John Christmas Parade, serving as co-chair of her building's social committee and leading JDI's participation in the Saint John Fundy Pride Parade.
"I try to get involved in some way with anything we have going on," she says. "It's a great way to meet people, build connections and help new employees feel connected to both the organization and the community."
Whether she's supporting students, improving recruitment processes or encouraging colleagues to get involved, Gracelyn's focus remains the same: creating meaningful connections and helping people see what's possible.
"There's really an opportunity for everybody here," she says. "I'm an example of that."
