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December 27, 2011–January 2, 2012 Business in Vancouver
Taleeb Noormohamed President and CEO, Serebra Learning Age: 35
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ducated at both Princeton University and Oxford University, Taleeb Noormohamed returned to his hometown in 2007 to be vicepresident of strategy and partnerships with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games (VANOC). In that role, he raised more than $60 million and was responsible for management of all noncommercial revenue and business development initiatives. Shareholders at Serebra Learning Corp. recruited him to turn their fledgling e-learning venture around. “Serebra was really lost. It lost its way and wasn’t sure what it was going to be. It came down to, ‘Do we turn this around?’ or ‘Do we shut down?’� he said. “At our annual general meeting last year, I told them my mandate was to
cut costs, increase revenue and bring in a deal that will show value. I said that within 18 months we would have a merger or acquisition, and so far we’re on track.� Serebra was in negotiations for a merger with Bluedrop Inc. as of press time. Noormohamed has a track record of bouncing between interesting jobs. He had clearance to see top-secret documents when he worked as a senior adviser to Bob Rae when Rae was an independent adviser to the minister of public safety on questions related to the bombing of a 1985 Air India flight. He also had that clearance when he was director of citizen engagement in the department of public safety. After the Olympics, he led a comprehensive review of B.C.’s large-scale technology procurement contracts, valued at $2.2 billion, to determine what has worked and what requires improvement.
He is on the board of directors of Covenant House Vancouver as well as the West Vancouver Community Centre. Past charitable work includes being on the board of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He also volunteers extensively within the Ismaili Muslim community. Ä„
“I said that within 18 months we would have a merger or acquisition, and so far we’re on track�
Birthplace: Ottawa Where do you live now: North Vancouver Highest level of education: BA, Princeton University; PhD candidate, Oxford University Car or chosen mode of transport: Air Canada ights; my Porsche or on foot Currently reading: Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn Last CD bought or music downloaded: Christmas by Michael Buble Favourite local restaurant: Ki at the Shangri-La or James Street Cafe in Burnaby Profession you would most like to try: Being an NHL general manager or a criminal defence attorney Mentor: I’m lucky to have a few mentors. I also look to my parents for inspiration – they came to Canada with $300 and managed to raise a family, build a successful business and maintain a happy and healthy marriage Toughest business or professional decision: Negotiating a merger that I knew was right for our shareholders but would result in members of my team – and me – losing jobs Advice you would give the younger you: Do what you love and have fun doing it. Follow your passion, give it your all, and success will follow. As soon as you stop having fun, loving and being challenged by what you do, move on. Life is too short to be miserable at work all day long What’s left to do: Personally, to spend more time with my parents and loved ones, get married and have kids; professionally, to build another proďŹ table and successful business; and help to make politics and public service something that people see as being valuable by making it relevant and inspiring
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