Building Culture, Strength, and Community

Meet Crystal Holek, Van Kam’s new Director of Talent and Culture. With over 20 years of experience in HR, she has spent much of her career in manufacturing and transportation, holding senior leadership roles for over a decade. She is passionate about building strong teams, shaping workplace culture, and making businesses thrive.

A First Impression That Stuck

Crystal knew Van Kam was the right place for her from the start. “I had a great first impression during my interviews. Walking through the office, people were welcoming, and it felt familiar,” she says. The company’s culture, leadership, and vision made her decision easy.

“It is exciting to have a young, forward-thinking CEO leading the company. I was drawn to his goals and priorities for Van Kam. I felt I could help drive those forward and make a real impact,” she says.

The People Puzzle

Every day looks different for Crystal. She describes herself as the “chaos coordinator,” bringing together the right people, training, and tools to make the business run smoothly. “It’s like a puzzle,” she says. “You put the pieces together to make the organization tick.”

One of her biggest goals is leadership development. “We have so many great people here. I want to work with them to strengthen their skills and give them more tools,” she says. She also focuses on employee experience, from recruitment to career growth, ensuring Van Kam remains where people want to build their careers.

Strength in More Ways Than One

Crystal is no stranger to hard work in and out of the office. A dedicated fitness enthusiast, she has lost over 100 pounds through weightlifting. “I love pushing myself mentally and physically,” she says. Training has become a personal challenge and a way to test her limits.

Her drive extends to her family life as well. As a mom of two teenage boys, her schedule is packed with hockey practices and football games. “Most of my free time is spent in a hockey rink or on the football field,” she says. Balancing work, family, and fitness keeps her on her toes, but she would not have it any other way.

A Different Lens

When she is not leading HR initiatives or cheering on her boys, Crystal finds another outlet through photography. “HR does not always allow for creative expression, so having a creative side is important to me,” she says. Photography lets her step away from structure and capture moments from a new perspective.

She has always been drawn to learning new creative skills, even picking up tattooing for fun. “Most people do not know this about me, but I actually learned how to tattoo. I even own a tattoo machine,” she says with a laugh. While she has no plans to leave HR for an artist’s studio, she enjoys the challenge of trying something new.

A Heart for Community

Crystal’s biggest passion project started as a simple Facebook post. During the pandemic, she saw a heartbreaking photo of a senior in a care home, unable to see her family. That moment sparked an idea that became Chilliwack Adopt a Senior, a nonprofit that has matched over 1,200 seniors with community members who provide holiday gifts and connections.

“For the first year, I just wanted to buy a Christmas present for one woman. Overnight, it blew up,” she says. “Now it is an official nonprofit with a board of directors, and I could not be prouder,” she adds.

A Future of Possibilities

Crystal is excited about what lies ahead at Van Kam. “There is so much opportunity here to build on the culture journey the Van Kam leadership team has started,” she says. Her goals include improving internal processes with BambooHR (human resources software), developing stronger leadership training, and ensuring employees feel valued and supported in their roles.

As she settles into her new position, she is grateful for the team around her. “It has been an eye-opening and welcoming experience. The team has been incredibly supportive, and the employees have been open and receptive. I am excited to be here and to help make a difference,” she concludes.

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