Alexis Ashworth, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa

Alexis Ashworth
Alexis Ashworth
Editor's Note

Each year, OBJ and the Ottawa Board of Trade choose 40 of the region’s top young entrepreneurs and business executives and recognize them for their professional achievements, expertise and community service.

In these profiles, OBJ highlights some of this year’s recipients – their impressive accomplishments, what drives them and how they like to spend their downtime away from the business world.
See the full list of recipient profiles here and be sure to check out photos of the 2019 gala here.

2019-06-21

Education: MBA, concentration in international development management, Carleton University (2013)

Biggest business achievement: Since I became CEO in 2014, Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa’s build numbers have increased from an average of two per year to eight per year in 2019. 

Biggest obstacle overcome: I was 24 when I became executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Halifax. I had no experience with construction, leadership or management. What I had was a passion for the cause and an entrepreneurial drive to succeed. The organization was building a home every two years when I joined, and when I left four years later we were building five homes per year and had opened a social enterprise, the ReStore. 

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Biggest influence: Mark Rodgers, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. He is a strong leader who isn’t afraid of change and is constantly looking for ways to improve our organization. 

First job: I started my first “business” in Grade 6, making and selling scrunchies and hair bands.

Advice I’d give the younger me: Lao Tzu said: “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” I have a high sense of urgency and still need to remind myself to exercise patience in accomplishing goals.

 

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