Pursuit 365 Day 157: Danielle Comeau

Danielle is a globally experienced consultant specializing in risk, strategy, and sustainability.

As the CEO of Wesben Global, Danielle works, along with her business partner and a team of specialists, to deliver in areas of ESG, business continuity and regulatory affairs for significant projects in the mining, energy, industrials, transportation, and healthcare sectors, building community connections to create sustainable investments.

Danielle is passionate about music and circus arts, a travel enthusiast, community volunteer, die-hard pet parent, dedicated friend, adoring aunt and an all-around family-first kind of human.

Q. If you could give your past self some advice, what would you tell yourself?

If I could give my past self (and other young people) some advice, I would say ‘own it!’. Whoever it is, you are, whatever you choose to be, own all of it. Embrace all of the experiences with your best, most vibrant self. Be authentic. Don’t get lost trying so hard to meet societal needs and pressures.

We often grow up with this idea because we are told that we must meet so many expectations. We must outperform our competitors and strive to reach new heights – in family, education, sports, careers or promotion, and in society overall – often judged through the perception of others, and equally as often, by relative strangers. Recognize and remember whose opinion really matters – first and foremost, yours.

Set boundaries that are right for you and hold yourself and others to account. Lift others up but recognize when you need to do those things for yourself. Only you can be responsible for your journey, and there is only one chance to live your best possible life. Keep your supporters, drop your detractors, and pave the way for your success as you define it.

Q. When you first started your career, how did you know you were ready and what made you start?

In my lifetime, I have naturally leaned into opportunities with openness and curiosity to new experiences, taking hold of a path that led me to some unique and amazing places.

I also took a lot of hits – not everyone will thrive and celebrate in your success, especially if it doesn’t mirror their own ideas. Through the years, it has been a true test learning what bridges to build and also which ones to burn. Ultimately, burn the ones that irreparably interfere with your pursuit of happiness.

We intrinsically know when something isn’t right – trust your instincts. As humans, we try so hard to force-fit something unnatural because we go back to this manufactured idea of where we are supposed to be in life.

Celebrate your achievements – both as a person and professional – and remain unapologetic for them. The greatest learnings came from recognizing what I didn’t want as much as what I did and speaking openly about my vision, my values and my goals.

You can be a strong person with an independent voice – and this doesn’t make you difficult. It defines who you are – empower yourself to apply your talent and give credit to yourself and others where credit is due.

Remember what grounds you.

What keeps you motivated on a daily basis?

I am motivated first and foremost by my family and the little ones – my young niece and nephews – who will follow into the future. They are my inspiration, and they remind me every day how kids view the world through so much simplicity.

I recently commented to a friend that I fell into mediocrity somewhere along the way, especially over these past couple of years through the pandemic. My friend replied, “change your language! You fell into peace”. Truer words couldn’t be spoken. The place of whole self-awareness, authenticity and actualization is the most peaceful place on earth, and this will now and forever be my guiding principle in life and in work.