The After (Business) School Special
The After (Business) School Special is a podcast about what business professionals, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and more have learned since finishing their business degree. Each episode will welcome a guest to discuss the stories, key learnings, and insights they’ve gained throughout their professional career.
We believe that the skills and knowledge you gain during your time as a university student sets you up for success but learning continues well beyond the classroom.
Become a life-long learner by enrolling in The After (Business) School Special and become the next guest.
The After (Business) School Special
Redefining HR: Innovating People & Operations Strategy and Launching OptimaHR with Deidre Lane
Deidre Lane is an entrepreneur, HR strategist, and business leader helping organizations align people with purpose. As the Founder and Owner of OptimaHR, she empowers small and medium-sized businesses with tailored, innovative HR solutions that transform people management into a strategic driver of success.
Deidre’s entrepreneurial story began during her time at the Edwards School of Business. While still a student, she gained hands-on business experience by supporting her husband in launching and growing his construction company. This early exposure to entrepreneurship taught her the value of resourcefulness, adaptability, and the power of combining people-focused leadership with operational efficiency.
Her career took a pivotal turn when she joined zu, a leading digital design and development agency, where she spent over a decade. As Director of People Strategies, Deidre revolutionized the company’s approach to HR, transforming it into a core business function that supported recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and operational excellence. She developed innovative processes, coached leaders through complex change initiatives, and created structures that prioritized employee well-being while driving organizational results. Her ability to position HR as a strategic partner earned her a reputation as a trailblazer in the field.
Deidre reflects on key turning points in her career, including the courage it took to leave a role she loved to pursue a new challenge. She discusses how she recognized her growing desire to step out on her own, ultimately founding OptimaHR, where she now helps other entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of managing people in a way that aligns with their unique business goals.
Deidre’s leadership style has evolved over the years, shaped by experiences that span managing restaurant teams in her early career to guiding business owners as an HR consultant. She is deeply passionate about building environments where employees thrive and businesses succeed. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that strategic HR isn’t just about policies and procedures—it’s about unlocking the full potential of people to create lasting impact.
Show Notes:
Connect with Deidre and learn more about her work:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deidre-lane
OptimaHR: https://optimahr.ca/
OptimaHR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimahr/
OptimaHR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optima_hr/
Connect with The After Business School Special
Instagram: @afterbusinesspodcast
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This podcast is in partnership with the Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan.
