Supporter spotlight: Christine Liptay’s journey from supporter to mentor

Christine Liptay didn’t step into the role of mentor because she thought she had all the answers. Instead, her journey with Windmill Microlending was born from something much deeper: the echoes of her own family’s history and a desire to help newcomers navigate the daunting journey of starting over.

From family history to meaningful action

Christine’s grandparents immigrated to Canada from Eastern Europe, building their lives during a time of significant hardship and poverty. Although she grew up in Canada, their experiences shaped her understanding of the courage and sacrifice involved in starting over in a new country. “Life is never easy for immigrants,” she says. “There are so many cultural, professional and personal challenges to navigate while trying to build a new life.”

When Christine’s father passed away, her family wanted to honour his legacy through charitable giving. While they supported several organizations, Windmill Microlending felt particularly meaningful. Its mission reflected both her family’s history and her belief that talented people should have a fair opportunity to pursue their ambitions.‍

Support designed around the whole journey

Rebuilding a career involves more than covering the cost of exams and training. Internationally trained professionals often arrive in Canada only to discover the relicensing process is longer and more difficult than expected.

“When someone has already built a successful career, having to prove their abilities all over again can be demoralizing,” says Christine. “They are adapting to a new country while trying to understand a system that can feel almost impossible to navigate.”

That is why Windmill’s combination of affordable loans and personalized support resonates with her. The financial assistance helps clients pay for the practical costs of restarting their careers, while support services like coaching and mentorship help them move through the uncertainty surrounding the process.

Christine was also drawn to the lasting nature of Windmill’s lending model. As clients repay their loans, the funds are re-circulated and used to support other internationally trained professionals. “One contribution can continue creating opportunities for years,” she says. “That approach has an impact far beyond a single gift.”

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From donor and advocate to mentor

Christine quickly became one of Windmill’s most enthusiastic advocates. After becoming a mentor, she continued to deepen her involvement by joining the campaign cabinet, helping strengthen the community of support behind Windmill’s mission.

When she first became a mentor, Christine questioned whether she had enough to offer. After practicing medicine for approximately 30 years, she felt far removed from the licensing exams, residency applications and early-career decisions internationally trained physicians were navigating. Still, she decided to participate.

Through her mentorship relationship with Ilana, a physician from Brazil , Christine discovered that a mentor does not always need to have every answer. As she explains, “I didn’t have practical advice about how to approach every licensing exam, but I could be in her corner, offering moral support and encouraging her to keep pushing.”

For Christine, what started as a tribute to her family’s history has grown into a deeply personal connection with Windmill’s mission. Her family’s philanthropy has helped bridge her family’s immigrant legacy to a new generation of newcomers. And through her committee role and hands-on mentorship experiences she has witnessed a profound truth: reviving a career takes more than a financial boost—it requires restoring a person’s belief in themselves. This synergy of practical funding and personal empowerment is what makes Windmill’s work so vital to Christine. A loan opens a door, but mentorship and encouragement give newcomers the confidence to step through it and reclaim their future.