The F*A*C*E of GIS

(CNS): After four years of service, GIS Information Officer Cornelia Olivier has been acknowledged for her hard work and exemplary service as one of five recipients of this year’s Governor’s FACE awards. According to her colleagues and those who use her services, Olivier has an easygoing disposition and is a conscientious worker who takes service to clients and colleagues very seriously. "Cornelia really deserves this level of recognition,” said GIS Managing Editor Wosila Rochester.

“What makes her standout is her overall approach; she demonstrates so much enthusiasm and commitment to getting the job done to the client’s satisfaction. And going the extra mile is what she does as a matter of course. Clients have come to rely on her dependability, they know she will listen carefully but they also accept her advisory role, respecting the fact that her professionalism will sometimes see her stating contrary perspectives.”

A native of South Africa and a graduate of Potchefstroom University, Cornelia is described as a consummate team player who never hesitates to pitch in and assist colleagues or otherwise benefit the unit or her clients.

Assigned to a number of major projects, Olivier has been GIS’ lead communications specialist on projects such as the Constitutional Review, Freedom of Information, the European Union Forum, and much more.

FOI Unit Co-ordinator Carole Excell, for whose unit Cornelia has provided communications support since its inception two years ago, said she was really proud of the honour bestowed on Olivier and the award was justly deserved.

“She has assisted us with just about everything, including our publications and the development of a communications strategy. She also sits on our committee and assists in planning the annual Sunshine Week as well as many other items which are not even in her job description,” Excell added. “I have found her to be an out-of-the-box thinker and her contributions have certainly helped to give our unit the success it has enjoyed to date.”

Another client who has used Olivier’s services said that she is exceptionally helpful, intelligent, efficient and supportive.

“She is one of the few persons who really seems to understand the immediacy of the modern media and the need to get information promptly,” said a member of the press.

As someone who likes to stay in the background so her clients can shine, Cornelia admits to finding the attention generated by the FACE award “wonderful—but just a little scary."

“It has been a real honour to serve my clients and the people of Cayman," she said, adding that she’s somewhat amazed to receive recognition for just doing her job to the best of her ability. “I do enjoythe opportunity to provide my clients with effective and efficient service as my goal is always to make them feel that they can approach me with anything.”

Olivier attributes her tenacity and discipline, traits well-known by her colleagues, to her athletic drive; she is both a marathon andtriathlon competitor, as well as a scuba instructor, which she also balances with her family life. On Friday 23 January she celebrated 10 years of marriage to husband TJ and is also the proud mom of two boys, Dominic, four, and Julian who is two.