She's been in the job for just over a week but Manitoba's 25th lieutenant governor seems to be finding her way around quite nicely. Janice Filmon was installed as the Queen’s representative in Manitoba earlier this month, replacing Philip Lee.

Filmon relishes her new role and is looking forward to serving Manitobans well and providing a role model for young people when it comes to leadership.

"I'm just excited about the opportunity and each thing that comes at me," said Filmon. "I felt like I had a stellar day one, and I hope I can keep on having days that are fresh and invigorating and where I feel like I'm connecting with people."

The lieutenant governor is Manitoba's head of state and represents Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll. The job has constitutional responsibilities such as reading the government's speech from the throne and giving royal assent to all bills that get passed in the house. Premier Greg Selinger praised Filmon for her tireless efforts in making the province a great place to live.

Filmon carries an impressive resume as a leader especially when in the field of volunteerism. She has served as the chair for Manitoba Cancer Care Foundation and is the founder of Manitoba A.L.I.V.E., which encourages high school students to engage in volunteerism and she hopes to use her new position to encourage young people and especially young women in the province to aspire to big things.

"I want to serve, and serve well, so that other women and young girls will look at this kind of a roll and think that maybe they could do that too."

Janice is the wife of former premier Gary Filmon. The couple is preparing to celebrate their 52nd anniversary this year. She says her husband has been her biggest supporter.

"I am so grateful to have somebody beside me who has had the experiences that he has had, and as you can appreciate, there are many thing that he and I can talk about and be on that same level, have the same language that we would use, but so much appreciate what it means to be in a position of leadership. I would say that this is going to be a stimulating time for the two of us over these next five years."

Filmon says she is looking forward to meeting Manitobans in their own communities and connecting with people during her term.

"Obviously this is not just about Winnipeg. This is also about rural Manitoba and I want to try and communicate with people the role of the lieutenant governor and in the process be part of the organizations whose mandate is leadership and work with those that are in leadership positions today, celebrate those who have come before us, but also to share in developing the leaders of tomorrow."