Volunteer spotlight

Storme Mckop, BA’16, JD’19

Storme Mckop attended the University of Calgary for both her undergrad and law school. While attending the Faculty of Law, Mckop was actively involved in diversity initiatives and was the founding president of the Calgary chapter of the Black Law Students’ Association. She began volunteering with the Admissions Committee while in law school and is volunteering on this committee again this year. Mckop was called to the Alberta bar in 2020 and is currently practising corporate and energy law at a Calgary firm.

The great mentorship I received is another reason why I enjoy volunteering because I know first hand how valuable a good mentor can be!

Storme Mckop

BA’16, JD’19

Did you grow up in a household of volunteers... was it part of your value system?

Yes. When I was younger, my mother would volunteer often and bring me along. Watching her support various programs and helping people in need during my youth made volunteering a core part of my value system. It is something that is now very important to me and I get a lot of satisfaction from giving back to my community.

Did a volunteer ever play a significant role in your life?

Yes. In law school, I had some amazing mentors who helped me navigate entering the legal profession. These people were always generous with their time and gave great advice. I think mentorship is an important part for juniors in any career, and people who volunteer their time make a huge difference. The great mentorship I received is another reason why I enjoy volunteering because I know first-hand how valuable a good mentor can be!

Are your volunteer efforts linked to your skill set or work, or do you try to do something completely different?

Most of my volunteer efforts are aligned with my career, and, in particular, my passion to increase diversity and inclusion within the legal profession.

Do you have any advice for future volunteers? Before they sign up, what they should consider?

Try to volunteer for causes that you are passionate about. Additionally, treat your role as if it were a paid position since other people are often relying on you. Before signing up, consider how much time and effort the position will require and realistically assess whether you will be able to commit.

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