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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Local businesses face hiring obstacles due to immigration pullback, flawed screening
In his 39 years of practicing immigration law, Warren Creates (a rare Law Society Certified Specialist) has never seen an environment so challenging for employers looking to hire workers from
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.
