On Thursday, Aug. 28, OBJ issued an open invitation to all candidates in the upcoming municipal election to answer one simple question: Why should the business community vote for you?
As the responses come in, one will be published online each day, and be included in our daily email newsletter. Send your response to editor@obj.ca.
Today’s response is from Catherine Fortin LeFaivre, Rideau-Vanier
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As the role of municipalities evolves to play a bigger part in business development, housing, and the environment, so will the role of councillors. That’s why I believe that an effective councillor will need a wealth of professional experiences and skills under her belt.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business from Wake Forest University in North Carolina as well as a Certificate in Nonprofit Marketing from Carleton University.
But what differentiates me the most from the other Rideau-Vanier candidates is that I have held leadership roles in the private, public and nonprofit sectors and have learned to adapt and contribute quickly to different responsibilities and environments—without a doubt a skill that will serve constituents well.
As Assistant Director of Marketing and Business Development at a prominent legal services firm in Washington, D.C., I managed a sales team, developed the first marketing plan and brought in $117,000 in new business in less than a year.
As Director of Communications at Impact Public Affairs, I successfully represented numerous industry groups, such as the Canadian Booksellers Association, the Canadian Tourism Industry Association, and the Insurance Brokers Associations of Canada. I was also the spokesperson for the $3 billion RV industry through Go RVing Canada.
As Communications Advisor at the House of Commons Administration, I worked with senior executives to solve organization-wide challenges affecting Hill security and the streamlining of information.
And as Director of Communications at Skills Canada, I oversaw all communications, PR, advocacy and entertainment components of the Skills Canada National Competition, which welcomed thousands of people in Toronto last June and created national awareness for skilled trade opportunities to youth.
Leadership, problem solving, advocacy and communications are all skills necessary to build partnerships in council, effectively represent constituents, convince various stakeholders, and responsibly manage a $2.9 billion city budget.
On October 27, you’ll be hiring a new councillor. Pick the candidate that has the resume to do the job.
www.CFL2014.com
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Previously published:
Aug. 29 – Katherine Hobbs, incumbent, Kitchissippi
Sept. 2 – Jeff Leiper, Kitchissippi
Sept. 3 – Marc Aubin, Rideau-Vanier
Sept. 4 – Thomas McVeigh, Somerset
Sept. 5 – Cam Holmstrom, Rideau-Rockcliffe
Sept. 8 – Catherine McKenney, Somerset
Sept. 9 – Mathieu Fleury, incumbent, Rideau-Vanier
Sept. 11 – Jeff Morrison, Somerset
Sept. 23 – Marianne Wilkinson, incumbent, Kanata North
Sept. 24 – Jason Kelly, Gloucester-South Nepean
Oct. 6 – Susan Sherring, Gloucester-South Nepean
Oct. 7 – Tobi Nussbaum, Rideau-Rockcliffe
Oct. 8 – Meladul Haq Ahmadzai, Gloucester-Southgate
