At Unyte-iLs, Program Consultants (PCs) are our most front-facing employees. They’re often the first humans a potential client encounters and interacts with. This means they not only have to be Unyte program experts, but they also need to be people experts, capable of understanding each client’s unique needs to best serve them.
For Lucas Morissette, supporting the Unyte-iLs client base comes easily due to his calm, thoughtful demeanor and excellent communication skills.
One of the first things a person may notice about Lucas is that he speaks with a deliberation that makes you listen. It also makes you trust him because it’s clear he gives great thought and consideration to the information he shares. Lucas speaks when he has something to say—he is not afraid to sit in moments of quiet.
As a person who loves the outdoors (before joining Unyte Lucas spent seven years as a canoe guide throughout southern Ontario and worked as a forest firefighter in the Canadian north), his comfort with silence makes sense.
Lucas is also an avid meditator, having taken part in meditation retreats, which, incidentally, played a crucial role in him getting his position at Unyte-iLs. During the get-to-know-you portion of his interview, it was discovered that the retreat he’d recently taken was one several employees had also experienced. The coincidence was enough to show how well Lucas would fit into the overall culture at Unyte. It’s been a year and a half since he joined the team, and, along with his evolving role as a PC, he can also be found leading meditation breaks during company-wide meetings, among other things.
Get to know even more about Lucas below.
Let’s talk about you! How did you end up at Unyte-iLs?
Over the years I had developed a strong interest in psychology, and I had previously worked as a volunteer at a distress and crisis line so I knew I wanted to work in the mental health sphere, in a position that would allow me to help others. Basically, I was looking for a role where I could maximize my impact in the mental health space and leverage my crisis management / meditation experience.
What is your specialty at Unyte?
Recently I moved into a new role focusing exclusively on business development and outbound sales. I was doing very little of that before. It’s a lot more active than what I was previously doing. This new role requires a certain amount of tenacity. I also really like that it’s challenging. It’s exciting, I basically get to be the company’s cheerleader.
Why do you do what you do?
I do what I do because I believe our programs work really well and that we have the potential to help millions of people.
Why do you believe in Unyte’s programs?
The short answer is because they work—the results really do speak for themselves. In the year and a half that I’ve been with Unyte I’ve had the opportunity to talk to hundreds of providers, families and people who have experienced so much success with the programs.
Where do you find inspiration?
On my meditation cushion [editor’s note, this is exactly as it sounds—it’s a cushion that you meditate on), nature, and through books, stories, history and art.
What brought you to meditation?
There was no one thing, it happened over a long period of time. Reading a lot of western and eastern philosophy, reading and learning about zen and then the retreat I took really changed things.
Where is your favourite place to meditate?
Meditating in nature is fun when it’s not full of bugs. The air and the breeze. I’ve had the opportunity to meditate in forests and deserts and mountains—I’ve loved all of those experiences.
Do you have any favorite meditations?
Not really, I’ve bounced around between meditation traditions and sects. The retreat I did was in the Vipassana tradition of SN Goenka (what the Buddha taught), but lately I “just sit” (also called Shikantaza by Zen practitioners).
What motivates you?
Time, particularly having the time to pursue hobbies.
What are your personal goals?
To be here now.
Are you working on any passion projects?
I really enjoy playing and producing music—I play the guitar, a lot of blues and jazz. I’ve been thinking about setting up a studio.
What are three interests or hobbies you have?
Music, Nature, Meditation
What are you currently listening to,watching or reading?
Right now, I find myself listening to a lot of Mozart while working because Mozart rocks! I’m also currently reading World War Z and The Three Body Problem.
What’s a quote or mantra you live by?
“Be here now”
— Ram Dass
Finally, what does kindness mean to you?
Meeting people where they’re at, taking the time to truly listen, withholding judgement.