Blending the art of hospitality with the precision of payroll
This profile is part of Celebrate U, Mount Royal's employee rewards and recognition program. The University values and appreciates the exceptional work and contributions of our employees. Through this program, we aim to celebrate those who have dedicated themselves to the success of Mount Royal.
When it comes to payroll, most people think of numbers, spreadsheets and calculations. But, for Adina Novasat, it’s much more personal.
As the Payroll Manager, Novasat ensures that everyone at Mount Royal University gets paid and paid on time. With a background in hospitality, she brings a warm, human touch to her role, proving that even the most technical jobs can be filled with heart.
Novasat’s journey to payroll management started in Thunder Bay, Ont., where the winters are long and the community ties are tight. With loving parents and two supportive siblings, she grew up in a family that valued hard work and problem-solving.
“My dad was always busy, whether it was teaching, building a house or driving a truck,” Novasat says. “I guess that rubbed off on me — I’ve always liked to stay busy.”
Before she became the go-to person for all things payroll at MRU, Novasat cut her teeth in the fast-paced world of hospitality. Early on, she discovered the energy of working in restaurants.
“There was something about the constant movement, the people and the challenges that just clicked with me,” she says.
As time went on, Novasat felt the pull of new possibilities. She packed up her car and headed to Calgary, ready for a new beginning in a city known for its opportunities. Her love for numbers, combined with her experience in the hospitality industry, helped her find work and quickly ascend to management roles at an upscale restaurant chain based in Calgary.
However, being good with numbers wasn’t Novasat’s only strength. Her real talent lay in being good with people.
“Hospitality is all about caring for people,” she says. “You can’t teach that, but if you’ve got it, you can go far.”
And go far she did, eventually managing payroll and accounting for the entire chain.
In 2021, life had other plans. When the restaurant chain’s ownership decided to move operations to the West Coast, Novasat decided it was time to explore fresh horizons in the city she had come to love.
Coming full circle
As fate would have it, Mount Royal University — a place where she had taken Continuing Education courses — had a job opening. It felt like everything had come full circle, offering her the perfect blend of familiarity and fresh opportunity.
“MRU is special,” Novasat says, her eyes lighting up. “It’s always growing, but it still has that small, friendly heart.
“It’s like a small town, and I love being a part of that.”
Since joining MRU, Novasat has been involved with some big projects, like the massive switch to bi-weekly pay from semi-monthly pay periods.
Switching payroll schedules might seem straightforward. In reality, Novasat describes it as being like changing the tires on a moving car. It took a full year of meticulous planning, testing, and collaboration with many teams and departments. However, Novasat and her team successfully navigated the challenge.
Novasat’s ability to work seamlessly with others and keep things running smoothly reflects her background in hospitality. Her approach has made her a bit of a legend in the Payroll department. Whether it’s handling a technical glitch or navigating the complexities of MRU’s diverse workforce, she approaches every challenge with the same calm, can-do attitude.
“At the end of the day, it’s about more than just numbers,” she says. “It’s about people, and making sure they’re taken care of.”
As she looks to the future, Novasat is excited about the possibilities that lie ahead, both for MRU and herself.
“There’s always a new challenge, a new project, something to improve,” she says with a smile. “And I’m ready for whatever comes next — because at the end of the day, it’s all about making sure everyone here feels supported, appreciated and yes, paid on time.”