ELISABETH LANG That brought Elisabeth into contact with the OSB for the first time. “I loved the mandate of the OSB, including both the enforcement mandate and the policy element that you’re able to be exposed to. And I really appreciate the combination of the economic and social elements and the balancing of interests as well as the fact that a well-functioning insolvency system is such an important pillar of the economy.” “It’s foundational, I would say – you’re going to suffer as an economy if you don’t have a well-functioning insolvency system both in terms of the internal economy and in terms of foreign investment. It’s just a really interesting and well-balanced system, I think.” PREPARING FOR CHANGE Not surprisingly, building balance is also something Elisabeth speaks about often and with passion. And nowhere will there “We’re hoping to rebuild some of those personal relationships by visiting my regional offices and encouraging employees to engage with our stakeholders,” she says. “One thing we want to think about reinstating is Trustee Days, where we host trustees and administrators in our offices and have a chance to put a face to the name and reinforce those relationships.” A LIFE IN LAW Elisabeth grew up between Ontario and Saskatchewan, spending the first 10 years of her life in Ottawa, “but during that time we spent summers in Saskatchewan.” “We moved to Winnipeg for the next nine years or so until university. I love the prairies, the people there are completely genuine. I love the climate, the big sky, the wide open fields as well as cottage country and that wonderful cottage- culture that goes along with it.” Her interest in law was driven by the fact that, “I have lawyers in my family 10 ways from Sunday, as they say.” She recalls some very sage advice her mother once gave her: that law was a useful degree that could become the foundation for many opportunities in life. “So, I actually went to law school thinking that I wouldn’t practise at all.” But while articling at Low Murchison LLP in Ottawa, she found herself drawn to the profession, gaining early experience in insolvency files. “I found myself loving it and stayed for seven years,” she says. “Then I decided to explore working for the government. I’ve always had a public service bent, so I thought that that would be a good move. I was lucky enough to get a job at the Department of Justice in the Insolvency Law Group.” 16 Rebuilding Success Spring/Summer2019