At a Glance

What book is currently on your nightstand? I’m on a memoir/biography kick. I’m currently reading Becoming by Michelle Obama and have Angry Optimist: The Life and Times of Jon Stewart by Lisa Rogak and Survival Math: Notes of an All-American Family by Mitchell Jackson on deck.
What movie do you recommend to everyone you know? 9 to 5. Lots of life and HR lessons to be learned from that cinematic classic!
What’s the first thing you do when you get home after a long day at work? Kick off my shoes, turn on the radio (KNBA 90.3 FM and KSKA 91.1 FM are my go-to stations) and check in with my two kiddos (Kaden—eight and Sloane—two) about their day.
If you couldn’t live in Alaska what’s your dream locale? I’d love to live in the San Juan Islands in Washington State.
If you could domesticate a wild animal what animal would it be? I may have to start growing a lot of bamboo, but I think a panda would be an adorable addition to our crew.

At a Glance

What book is currently on your nightstand? I’m on a memoir/biography kick. I’m currently reading Becoming by Michelle Obama and have Angry Optimist: The Life and Times of Jon Stewart by Lisa Rogak and Survival Math: Notes of an All-American Family by Mitchell Jackson on deck.
What movie do you recommend to everyone you know? 9 to 5. Lots of life and HR lessons to be learned from that cinematic classic!
What’s the first thing you do when you get home after a long day at work? Kick off my shoes, turn on the radio (KNBA 90.3 FM and KSKA 91.1 FM are my go-to stations) and check in with my two kiddos (Kaden—eight and Sloane—two) about their day.
If you couldn’t live in Alaska what’s your dream locale? I’d love to live in the San Juan Islands in Washington State.
If you could domesticate a wild animal what animal would it be? I may have to start growing a lot of bamboo, but I think a panda would be an adorable addition to our crew.

Off the Cuff

Renea Saade
R

enea Saade, a shareholder at Littler Mendelson, counsels clients in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest on a broad range of employment issues including wage and hour compliance, accommodation and leave requests, enforcement and defense of noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreements, workplace investigations, and discipline and terminations. Saade also assists clients in the development, revision, and enforcement of employee handbooks, policies, and contracts and provides onsite employment law training. She regularly represents employers in federal and state court proceedings, agency audits, and investigations. Prior to joining Littler, Saade was a partner at two West Coast firms, as well as an associate at firms in Seattle and Boston.

Alaska Business: What do you do in your free time?
Renea Saade: Ha! What free time?

AB: Is there a skill or talent you’ve always wanted to learn or are learning?
Saade: I wish I would have learned to be fluent in another language.

AB: What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
Saade: Agreed to jump out of a perfectly good plane.

AB: What’s your go-to comfort food?
Saade: Nothing tasted as good as my grandmother’s Middle Eastern cooking growing up. While I occasionally try to make some of it—it never tastes quite the same.

AB: Other than your current career, if you were a kid today, what would your dream job be?
Saade: Stunt driver.

AB: What is your favorite way to get exercise?
Saade: Walking around and exploring a new city or town.

AB: Dead or alive, who would you like to see perform live in concert?
Saade: Prince—who knew that Bill Popp and I would have the same taste in music?

AB: What are you most superstitious about?
Saade: I will always walk around any type of steel grate or cellar door on a sidewalk. I won’t take the chance that I may fall through.
AB: What is your greatest extravagance?
Saade: My husband Kyle and I kept our wedding super small and super cheap, choosing instead to spend money on our honeymoon trip to South Africa. We stayed at well-appointed B&Bs and a beautiful 5-plus star Safari Camp. It was very luxurious and oh, such an amazing experience!

AB: What’s your best and worst attribute?
Saade: I say “yes” to a lot. That’s likely both my best and worst. But, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Life is too short and I want to be sure to get out there, enjoy it, and make an impact where I can. Hence my lack of any free time (see answer to Question #1).
Renea Saade Interview with Alaska Business

Images © Kerry Tasker