January / February edition of the Advocate

J a n u a r y | F e b r u a r y 2021

Education & Training for Post-Pandemic Waterloo Region

Customized Insurance Coverage for Your Business Every business needs commercial insurance to protect its people, clients, property, vehicles and revenue. Whether you are a small business or a large corporation, insurance can help keep you safe from everyday risks and potential financial loss.

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advocate January | February 2021 www.greaterkwchamber.com

features

Cover Story

editor-in-chief:

Deborah MacLatchy

editor:

Feature

design and production

16 Rethinking who Universities Educate

Art Sinclair Heather Hutchings M&T Printing Group

18 Meet the 2020-21 Board of Directors

advertising and sales:

Bonnie Frank - bfrank@greaterkwchamber.com Dana Walton - dwalton@greaterkwchamber.com Lisa McDonald - lmcdonald@greaterkwchamber.com

Feature

Students, Work and KW’s Business Community Dr. Valerie Walker

Feature

advertising and copy deadlines:

and Beyond Simon Chan

January 15, 2021 for March-April 2021 March 15, 2021 for May-June 2021 July 16, 2021 for September-October 2021 September 17, 2021 for November-December 2021

21 The Right People at the Right Time:

contributing writers: Simon Chan, Caroline Dutka, Deborah MacLatchy, Ian McLean, Jenna Petker, Art Sinclair, Adam Smith, Dr. Valerie Walker, contributors:

Carolyn Marsh

23 The Future of Work and Learning, 2020

subscription and back issue inquiries:

Feature

Thanks to SG Cunningham’s Community Project Initiative Caroline Dutka

25 Local Not-For-Profit Off to a “Strong Start” in a Great New Space

Darlene Jones djones@greaterkwchamber.com submission policy:

Proposals and articles are accepted via mail or email c/o Editor - Advocate. Please do not send originals.

All contributors articles must be accompanied by a head shot in a jpg file and a 40 word author’s bio. publications permit: #40026716 for permissions and reprint requests

Heather Hutchings - hhutchings@greaterkwchamber.com

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departments

Message from the Chair

New Members

4 Skills Development for the Pandemic and Beyond

Adam Smith

10 October 1, 2020 to

12 Mark Your Calendar

Message from the President

5 Skills Training and Securing Employees During a Pandemic

Ian McLean Advocacy

7 Questions Persist around

Domestic Vaccine Manufacturing Art Sinclair

Perspective on Health Care

Kitchener-Waterloo Virtually Jenna Petker

8 Family Physicians Explore

PUBLICATION OF:

November 30, 2020 Events

Networking

14 Event Highlights Hi-lighting Members

19 Health and Wellness

Member Notables

28 Chamber Members Achieving Success

postmaster address changes c/o

Advocate - Publications Office 80 Queen Street North, PO Box 2367 Kitchener, Ontario N2H 6L4 519.576.5000 The Advocate is a bi-monthly membership benefit publication of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Advertising content and the views expressed herein are those of the contributors and do not constitute endorsement by the Chamber. The Advocate follows the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards (1990), copies are available through the Publisher. The Chamber cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that may occur and has the right to edit material submitted. The Chamber will not accept advertising with competitor comparison claims and has the right to refuse advertising that is deemed to be false, misleading, or inappropriate.

Printed on recycled paper

advocate January | February 2021

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message from the chair

Skills Development for the Pandemic and Beyond Ever since I was a young boy, I have relentlessly pursued a deeper knowledge of the world around me - I recall begging my Grade 3 math teacher for more and more challenging problems - and I have continued to deliberately choose paths of learning that suit my interests and passions at every turn.

I was, and am, lucky to have so many opportunities to do so, right here in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Our region, being home to three world-class post-secondary education institutions - the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Conestoga College - as well as the notable Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, have all fostered countless opportunities for us all to pursue our interests.

The Waterloo Region Future of Work & Learning Coalition, a partnership among the tri-cities, Communitech, Manulife, and a dozen other organizations is offering a plethora of resources to help individuals and businesses adapt to our rapidly changing world. You can learn more at https://www. communitech.ca/future-facing/ The Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, and Cambridge Chamber of Commerce have also teamed up to leverage Axonify's training platform to bring us the "Chamber Business Ready" program which provides training and resources to keep you and your employees up to date on best practice. You can learn more at https://greaterkwchamber. com/covid-19/chamber-business-ready/

I recall attending a robotics event at the University of Waterloo, well before their inaugural FIRST Robotics Competition in 2005, with my Grandad. I was amazed by the sleek contours and elegant engineering used by the UW team to create a highly efficient electric vehicle far ahead of its time (solar and battery technologies still had a LONG way to go back then.)

In 2009 I was taken right back to that feeling of "being a kid again," when I explored the Perimeter Institute's festival, "Quantum to Cosmos: Ideas for the Future." The "pop-up STEM museum" gave us a multitude of topics to dive into: watch and learn about how extremely low-temperature superconductors behave in motion, or get up close and personal with a life-size replica of a Mars rover! That feeling of awe has kept me, and thousands of others of all ages across our region, eagerly awaiting each chance to be part of the next Perimeter Institute Public Lecture.

The current pandemic has accelerated the need for us all to adapt. As Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently commented, "we’ve seen two years’ worth of digital transformation in two months." I've witnessed that transformation first hand in my business and my clients. Thankfully new, supportive learning opportunities are being developed all around us.

We're fortunate that the ingenuity and pursuit of community betterment from so many organizations throughout our region aim to help us all thrive as we drive forward.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adam Smith CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Adam founded My IT Guy in 2004 and has grown the business substantially over the past 16 years. Today, Adam and his team deploy their collective expertise in helping small and medium sized businesses wisely invest in technology solutions that make them more efficient, more productive, and more profitable.

Adam is also heavily involved with the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce since 2009, currently serving as Chair of the Board of Directors, as well as volunteering with and co-hosting the quarterly meetings of 100 Men Who Give a Damn.

message from the president

Skills Training and Securing Employees During a Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has presented tremendous challenges for all businesses. The college sector has also been adversely affected as there are obstacles to skills training and apprenticeships that drive much of the talent in Waterloo Region’s economy.

In early May of this year, an article in the Waterloo Region Record by columnist Luisa D’Amato noted that Conestoga College was “driving into a thunderstorm.” President John Tibbits indicated he was preparing for a new world and called the COVID-19 pandemic “the biggest external threat to operations” since the institution opened for students 53 years ago. This at a time when many in the workforce will be looking to train for new careers and opportunities.

Among local institutions of higher education, Conestoga is highly vulnerable for two major reasons. First, the college relies heavily on a hands-on learning environment. Second, more than half of their students are from outside Canada. The College had nearly 11,000 enrolled this year, more than the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier combined. In May, there were 1,000 fewer foreign students starting the spring term than projected, creating a cumulative tuition shortfall of $10 million.

Despite these challenges, Conestoga continues to expand their course offerings for professions demanded by Ontario employers. In response to escalating health care requirements additional Personal Support Worker (PSW) programs are now operational along with training for farm workers who are needed across Waterloo Region and Canada.

On a global level, the World Bank has observed that skills development programs have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 crisis and many institutions face the same challenges as Conestoga College. The demands for vocational and training institutions delivering short-term skills training to recent graduates and displaced workers are unprecedented.

The application of solutions such as learning from home differs substantially across countries and population groups depending on access to electricity, internet connectivity, learning platforms and the availability of instructors and educators. Compared to other components of the education system, the focus on practical skills and work readiness creates unique challenges for remote students since it is a weak substitute for practical activities and learning by doing.

The 2020 Ontario Budget delivered by Finance Minister Rod Phillips provides $180.5 million to connect workers in the tourism and hospitality sector to training and jobs. As a component of Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover, this investment includes a skilled trades strategy, an additional $100 million of dedicated investments through Employment Ontario for skills training, a redesigned Second

Career program, and $59.5 million to acquire in-demand skills.

On November 13, Prime Minister Trudeau provided the details of a $1.5 billion investment into Workforce Development Agreements with the provinces and territories.

This investment will assist Canadians in underrepresented groups and those in sectors that have been hit hardest by the pandemic – such as construction, transportation, and hospitality – to quickly access supports and re-enter the workforce. The funding includes skills training, on-the-job training, employer sponsored training, financial assistance, and employment counselling.

Waterloo-based Skills Ontario indicated in a post-Budget media release that while the pandemic has created many challenges, their organization supports the Ontario government’s leadership at this difficult time. While responding to the unprecedented health crisis, Queen’s Park continues to demonstrate strong action on the promotion of skilled trades and technology careers.

Through the strong advocacy work of Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade across Ontario, the government is acting on the urgent requirement to fund skills development programs that will return people to work and meet the workforce demands of provincial employers. This is so that business has a skilled workforce and is ready to power our economy to a rapid and sustained recovery.

Despite the on-going challenges for employers, training institutions and service providers, Waterloo Region is highly resilient and through cooperation and collaboration we will be stronger and better prepared to move our economy forward in the post-pandemic era.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ian McLean Ian is President and CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce

advocate January | February 2021

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2021 6PM - 9PM VIRTUAL EVENT (HOSTED ON HOPIN)

Join us in recognizing local businesses who have made exceptional contributions to the community in the past year, through their involvement and leadership.

TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE!

Members: $45 Future Members: $60 Add-on Options Available! *Prices subject to HST

(519) 749-6052 | greaterkwchamber.com

advocacy

Questions Persist around Domestic Vaccine Manufacturing Across Waterloo Region, Ontario and Canada, we have become increasingly focused on expanding our “knowledgebased” economy.

The knowledge economy is generally a system where the production of goods and services is based on knowledge intensive industries that contribute to a rapid pace of advancement in technical and scientific innovation as well as accelerated obsolescence. A 2017 Ernst & Young (EY) Canada report prepared for Innovative Medicines Canada, a major industry association, concluded that “innovative medicines are essential to the Canadian knowledge-based economy and for the better health of all Canadians.”

In late November 2020 as highly promising announcements were released and often repeated across the globe related to COVID-19 vaccines and the expectation for inoculations before the end of the calendar year, the unfortunate message originating from the federal government was that Canada would be a follower rather than a leader since vaccines will be imported.

At a November 24, 2020 media conference Prime Minister Trudeau indicated that “one of the things to remember is Canada no longer has any domestic production capacity for vaccines. Countries like the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom do have domestic pharmaceutical facilities which is why they’re obviously going to prioritize helping their citizens first.”

The question subsequently asked across media, government and business settings within Canada is why Group of Seven (G7) member Canada is apparently behind our economic competitors in the vaccine and medical innovation race.

Andrew Coyne, who also regularly appears on CBC, wrote in The Globe and Mail during late November that the narrative on vaccines has gone from bad procurement practices by the federal government to the “why can’t Canada make cool things” approach to Canadian health care.

Coyne claims that Canada does in fact have capacity for manufacturing vaccines – but not the type used for COVID-19 which generally did not exist until about five minutes ago.

The premise is not just that governments and Canadian manufacturers should have maintained that capacity to make tens of millions of vaccines domestically on the off chance that a historical pandemic would arrive. The premise is conversely that spare capacity should have been established in anticipation of technologies not yet invented.

CBC News interview that Canada is “not at the back of the line” and since we were among the first to pre-order when effectiveness was far from certain, overall the nation is adequately lined up for early immunizations.

Earl Brown, an infectious disease expert and former member of an H1N1 vaccine task group, informed CTV News that Canada had world leading vaccine producers fifty years ago.

The problem was they all operated under a bad business model as vaccine companies were spun off from universities and did not generate heavy profits. Many manufacturers were sold to multinationals and current operations now have restricted production lines with limited capacity.

Furthermore, Brown noted there are promising vaccine candidates in Canada who simply do not possess the capacity to manufacture significant volumes domestically.

Amir Attaran, a professor at the University of Ottawa School of Public Health and Faculty of Law, indicated that while Canada does not possess the capability to mass-produce vaccines, we could supply vulnerable populations and health care workers.

“We are going to end up being months later getting the vaccine to Canada in large part because the federal government failed to do the obvious thing, to license it as other countries have,” said Professor Attaran for a recent article in The Globe and Mail. He noted that even though the AstraZeneca vaccine has not been approved, India and Australia are already producing the product to have stockpiles in place when approval is granted.

The different vaccines under development require different technology and while Canada does not have the equipment for all vaccines, we do have the technology to manufacture the AstraZeneca product which can be stored at normal refrigeration temperatures.

In the final analysis Canadians simply want the vaccine when everyone else, most notably our American neighbours, obtains access.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Art Sinclair Art is Vice President Policy and Advocacy for the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Noubar Afeyan, co-founder and chairman of leading and successful vaccine developer Moderna stated on a recent advocate January | February 2021

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perspective on health care

Family Physicians Explore Kitchener-Waterloo Virtually This past November, local family physicians, emergency physicians, business and community leaders joined volunteers of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce in hosting 31 family medicine residents virtually for our 22nd Annual Family Medicine Resident Event on November 7th.

As a result of the global pandemic, we moved forward with our annual event but shifted to an online format through an interactive and engaging online platform called Hopin. This weekend is our largest recruitment initiative to promote Kitchener-Waterloo as a great place to live and work and we were able to capture that virtually. As a result of moving virtual, we were able to reach more residents, having physicians tune in from across Canada, the United States and the UK. This weekend is thoughtfully planned and organized by our amazing volunteers of the Chamber’s Family Physician Recruitment committee, Chaired by Mark Christensen of WalterFedy. During their virtual visit, family medicine residents and their partners were given a look at what life in Kitchener-Waterloo would be like. Our guests were given the opportunity to hear from community leaders, meet with local physicians, learn about the practice opportunities available to them, toured Kitchener Waterloo (virtually) and networked with our incredible sponsors. Many of the residents expressed interest in Kitchener Waterloo and plan to visit in the future when it is safe to do so.

According to Chamber President & CEO, Ian McLean, this weekend has been crucial in residents’ decisions to establish their practices in the area. “New family doctors are sought after by communities across Ontario, Canada and the U.S. This weekend is an opportunity to highlight all that Waterloo Region offers as a place for them to practice, their partners

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WWW.GREATERKWCHAMBER.COM

to build a career and for them to raise a family. We are very fortunate to have wonderful sponsors, partners, and volunteers that showcase our community.”

Working with community partners, the Chamber has helped to attract well over 250 family physicians since 1998 with the number of people without a family doctor being cut in half.

Our work continues to eliminate the physician shortage. This pandemic has shown us all the importance of healthcare.

We are hopeful that one day that all residents of KitchenerWaterloo that want a family physician, will have access to one.

The Chamber Physician Recruitment Program initiatives are only made possible by the generous support and investment of our sponsors which are recognized on page 9. Thank you for your leadership and contribution to this critical program.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenna Petker Jenna is Physician Recruitment Lead for the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Thank you to our dedicated sponsors for helping the Chamber continue its goal of eliminating the doctor shortage in Waterloo Region.

PLATINUM

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

COMMUNITY

SMALL BUSINESS

Individual Contributors

VIDEO SPONSOR

AL HAYES

IAN MCLEAN

new members

October 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020 Algol IT Solutions Inc.

Computer Consultants Anisha Dabas, IT Consultant 39 Duward Place, Unit 2 Waterloo, ON N2L 4E5 anisha@algolitsolutions.com algolitsolutions.com Phone: (437) 237-5477

Arcadian Projects Inc.

Electrical Contractors Luke Shantz, President 1439 Gingerich Rd Baden, ON N3A 3J7 luke@arcadianprojects.ca arcadianprojects.ca Phone: (519) 804-9697

Arthur Bane Apparel Inc.

Retail - Men's & Women's Clothing & Accessories Crystal Hyde, Director of Communications 38 William St Ayr, ON N0B 1E0 PullOnLiftUp@arthurbane.ca arthurbane.ca Phone: (519) 222-3890

BRAKOR INC.

Holding Companies Deborah Bennett, President 69 Birch Ave Kitchener, ON N2H 4W4 bennettdeborah7@gmail.com Phone: (519) 317-5055

CanReady Consultants Inc Business Consultants Kunal Bajaj, Owner 1291 Jezero Cr Oakville, ON L6H 0B5 kunal@canready.com canready.com Phone: (647) 704-1106

Cerullo Financial Services

Financial Planning Consultants Vince Cerullo, Owner/Financial Planner 420 Weber St N, Unit E Waterloo, ON N2L 4E7 vince@cerullo.ca cerullofinancialservices.ca Phone: (519) 725-8311

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Continental Driving School Driving Instruction Fauzia Mazhar, Owner 259 King St W, Unit 205, Kitchener, ON N2G 1B1 info@continentaldriving.com continentaldriving.com Phone: (519) 744-9111

Credence & Co.

Coaching Betty Pries, CEO 50 Ottawa St S, Unit 346 Kitchener, ON N2G 3S7 info@credenceandco.com Phone: (519) 883-8906

Dairy Queen - The Boardwalk Restaurants Robert Maxwell, Owner Operator 330 The Boardwalk, Unit 1, Waterloo, ON N2T 0A6 boardwalk@dqkw.ca dqkw.ca Phone: (519) 576-3737

dpai architecture inc.

Architects Patty Clydesdale, Principal 25 Main St W, Suite 1800, Hamilton, ON L8P 1H1 info@dpai.ca dpai.ca Phone: (905) 522-0220

EXIT Realty Genesis

Real Estate Matthew Grant, Owner 1373 Victoria St N, Unit 2 Kitchener, ON N2B 3R6 admin@exitgenesis.com exitgenesis.com Phone: (416) 898-4452

GetintheLoop Waterloo

Digital Marketing Agency Ryan Shoemaker, Owner Ryan.shoemaker@getintheloop.ca www.getintheloop.ca Phone: (519) 505-1780

Harris Law Personal Injury Lawyers P.C. Lawyers Gordon Harris, Owner/Senior Lawyer 30 Duke St W, Suite 701, Kitchener, ON N2H 3W5 gharris@harrishurtline.com harrishurtline.com Phone: (519) 725-8000 Fax: (519) 722-2355

Herc's Nutrition

Health & Wellness Garnet Devries, Owner 585 Weber St, Unit 102 Waterloo, ON N2V 1V8 gdevries@hercs.com hercs.com Phone: (519) 208-4372

Huawei Technologies Canada Co., Ltd. Telecommunications Gillian Cai, Public Relations Manager 300 Hagey Blvd, Suite 302 Waterloo, ON N2L 0A4 gillian.cai@huawei.com huawei.com/ca/corporate-information Phone: (905) 944-5000 Fax: (905) 944-5027

Hunt's Logistics

Transportation Kera Hunt, Assistant General Manager 1574 Eagle St N Cambridge, ON N3H 4S5 kerah@huntstransport.com huntslogistics.com Phone: (519) 650-5785 Fax: (519) 650-1473

Innovation Asset Collective

Charitable, Not For Profit & Community Orgs Brenda Woods, Senior Program Manager bwoods@ipcollective.ca https://ipcollective.ca Phone: (519) 885-2444

Jennifer Muir Doula Services Doulas & Midwives Jennifer Muir, Proprietor info@jennifermuirdoula.com jennifermuirdoula.com Phone: (226) 749-1446

new members

Kelly McManus

Mission Bell Communications

Launch Sales Advisory

OZ Hair & Skin

Honorary Members Kelly McManus, C/O University of Waterloo 200 University Ave W Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 kmcmanus@uwaterloo.ca Phone: (519) 888-4567 Management Consultants Steve Wittal, President swittal@salesxceleration.com stevewittal.com Phone: (289) 233-9659

Lerners LLP

Lawyers Alysia Christiaen, Partner 9 Ahrens St W Kitchener, ON N2H 4B6 lerner.london@lerners.ca lerners.ca Phone: (519) 778-8585 Fax: (226) 215-3308

Live Switchboard Inc

Printers Hassan Mayanloo, CEO & Founder 150 University Ave W, Unit 5A Waterloo, ON N2L 3E4 live.switchboard@gmail.com LSIstudents.com Phone: (519) 954-5483

Magnussen Home Furnishings Ltd.

Furniture Dealers Tracey Skipp, Corporate Credit Manager 66 Hincks St, Unit 1 New Hamburg, ON N3A 2A3 tskipp@magnussen.com https://www.magnussen.com Phone: (519) 662-3040 Fax: (519) 662-3733

Meals Without Madness

Caterers Nicole Puffer, Chef/Owner Kitchener, ON mealswithoutmadness@gmail.com Phone: (519) 496-2607

RSE YOUR GROUP E WORLD OF THE ING STONES

Marketing Consultants Gemma Law, HR Administrator 44 Frederick St Stratford, ON N5A 3V4 mail@missionbell.net missionbell.net Phone: (226) 921-5609 Hair Salons Amber Gee, Owner/Stylist 420 Erb St W Waterloo, ON N2L 6H6 ozhairandskin@rogers.com ozhairandskin.com Phone: (519) 747-2002

Playgrounds Movement Training Centre

Thinktum Inc.

Cybersecurity Leon Punambolam, Chief Transformational Officer & Co-founder 415 Phillip St, Suite A Waterloo, ON N2L 3X2 hello@thinktum.com https://thinktum.com Phone: (226) 476-0870

TLC Groomery

Pet Grooming Susan Knight, Owner 35 Brant Cr Kitchener, ON N2M 4A2 TLCgroomeryKW@gmail.com Phone: (519) 502-1899

Trillium Bilingual Montessori School

Fitness & Exercise Service Jessica van der Heide, Officer Manager 907 Frederick St, Units 10 & 11 Kitchener, ON N2B 2B9 info@kwplaygrounds.ca kwplaygrounds.ca Phone: (226) 647-4449

Child Care Services MĂŠlanie Tremblay, Administrator/Principal 4195 King St E, Unit 201 Kitchener, ON N2P 0C1 admin@tbmontessori.ca tbmontessori.ca Phone: (519) 650-3899

SimplyFixIT - Cell Phone, Tablet & Laptop Repair

Valeriote Contracting

Computer Repairs, Cleaning & Service Prateek Kumar, Store Manager 75 King St S, Unit 31B, The Shops Waterloo, ON N2J 1P2 info@simplyfixit.ca simplyfixit.ca Phone: (647) 766-0649

Supply & Protect

PPE Supplier Amber French, CEO 137 Glasgow St, Unit 210 Kitchener, ON N2G 4X8 amber@supplyandprotect.ca supplyandprotect.ca Phone: (519) 404-1226

The WHIP Boxing & Fitness Fitness & Exercise Service Fitzroy Vanderpool, Owner 178-B Weber St N, Waterloo, ON N2J 3H4 fitzthewhipfv@hotmail.com thewhipboxing.ca Phone: (519) 577-7910

Contractors - General Vince Valeriote, Owner 35 Poffenroth Path Elmira, ON N3B 3P5 Valeriotecontracting@gmail.com Phone: (647) 470-6305

Verdure Wellness Clinic Inc.

Health & Wellness Kristin Spark, Naturopathic Doctor 55 Erb St E, Suite 305 Waterloo, ON N2J 4K8 hello@verdurewellnessclinic.com verdurewellnessclinic.com Phone: (519) 742-0691

Waterloo Junior B Hockey Club Inc. (KW Siskins) Charitable, Not For Profit & Community Orgs Curtis Clairmont President & General Manager 474 Forestlawn Rd Waterloo, ON N2K 2J6 curtisclairmont@rogers.com kwsiskins.ca Phone: (519) 404-1882

IMMERSE YOUR GROUP IN THE WORLD OF THE ROLLING STONES

Tickets On Sale November 4, 2020

Learn more: GroupSales@THEMUSEUM.ca advocate January | February 2021

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events

COVID-19: Event Impact *The health and safety of our members, event attendees, community, and staff are of the utmost importance.

As a result, the Chamber will not be hosting any live events until further notice. We will continue to support our members by offering a variety of events and networking opportunities in a virtual capacity, using an interactive and engaging virtual event platform. Please refer to greaterkwchamber.com for up-to-date event information.

Mark Your Calendar Every Wednesday

Tuesday, January 19

Manulife Business Success Series

Pillars for Economic Prosperity: Healthcare Edition

1:00pm-2:00pm Location: Virtual Event (hosted through GoToWebinar) Members: Complimentary The Manulife Business Success Series is a free weekly event that explores timely topics and resources for businesses, giving your organization the tools, it needs to thrive. Sessions are hosted live every Wednesday at 1:00pm, and a recording of each session is made available online, to watch on-demand.

11:00am-1:00pm Location: Virtual Event (hosted on Hopin) Members: $30 ∙ Future Members $40 The Region’s Hospitals are emerging as provincial and national leaders in healthcare. Their response to the current pandemic has proven new challenges are always on the rise. The Presidents of our three local Hospitals will provide their visions for the future of local primary care that will be of interest to all community stakeholders. Ticket proceeds from this event will be donated back to the Hospitals.

Title Sponsor:

Silver Sponsor: Platinum Sponsor:

Thursday, January 21 Heffner Women’s Leadership: Redefining Success

Thursday, January 14 MNP Networking Breakfast Series: Speed Networking 8:30am-10:00am Location: Virtual Event (hosted through Hopin) Members: $20 ∙ Future Members $30 Join us for our Annual Speed Networking event! Meet other business professionals in a quick (yet efficient) method of virtual networking. You’ll be randomly matched for short 1-on-1 video conversations. After learning about one another, and how you may be able to support each other in business, you’ll repeat the process again with your next connection.

8:30am-10:30am Location: Virtual Event (hosted on Hopin) Members: $20 ∙ Future Members $30 The past year has been challenging in many ways, but it has also presented us with the opportunity to reflect on what fuels us and makes us feel fulfilled. Through this, we’re realizing that success is not measured by productivity and praise, but instead, by genuine connections, thoughtful impact, and innovation. Join us as we hear from local leaders, sharing their experiences in redefining success.

Title Sponsor:

Title Sponsor:

Gold Sponsors:

Media Sponsor:

Design Sponsor: Media Sponsor:

A winning combination Together, we bring more to the table for our clients and our community.

We’re thrilled to announce that Drouillard Sambrook Kingston has joined Grant Thornton LLP. Our growing team is dedicated to helping local businesses and organizations thrive.

Waterloo 60 Bathurst Drive, Unit 6 T 519 579 0700

grantthornton.ca

Give us a call! We’d love to show you the many ways we can help your business grow.

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PUBLIC

NAME: A

SPECIFI

Trim: 7. © 2020 Grant Thornton LLP. A Canadian Member of Grant Thornton International Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Dakis & 1521 Da Toronto T 416.5

Colours

events

Mark Your Calendar Thursday, January 28

Thursday, February 25

Libro Chamber Young Professionals Mentor Mix & Mingle

Jay Fencing Business Around 5

4:30pm-6:30pm Location: Virtual Event (hosted on Hopin) Members $10 ∙ Future Member $15 Our annual Mentor Mix & Mingle event is going virtual!

Hear from local leaders in the Region and have one-on-one conversations with industry leaders.

Title Sponsor:

4:00-6:00 Location: Virtual Event (hosted on Hopin) Complimentary for Members Future Members $10 • Exhibitors $75 Connect with new and familiar Chamber members, visit the expo to discover local businesses and continue to foster community relationships in a convenient virtual space!

Title Sponsor: Gold Sponsor: Supporting Sponsor:

Thursday, February 18 Media Sponsors:

Sign & Print Sponsor: &

G

6:00pm-9:00pm Location: Virtual Event (hosted on Hopin) Members $45 ∙ Future Member $60 Join us in recognizing local businesses who have made exceptional contributions to the community in the past year, through their involvement and leadership. The evening may look a little different this year, but we still have so many significant accomplishments to celebrate!

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Business Excellence Awards Gala

PRINT

Title Sponsor:

advocate January | February 2021

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networking

Event Highlights As we wrapped up 2020, the Chamber’s virtual event calendar didn’t slow down. Our volunteer committees were busy planning some unique virtual event experiences for members.

Some of the highlights in the past couple months, included:

Inspiring Women Event This year’s program was centered around Patience, Persistence, and Perseverance, and featured a lineup of 15 inspiring thought-leaders across a variety of industries, including: Sarah Nicole Landry (@TheBirdsPapaya), Vanessa Craft (TikTok Canada), Mandy Bujold (Olympian), and many more. We also welcomed a national audience for the first time in the event’s 14-year history!

Vine & Dine Previously known as 100 Mile Feast, this year’s event was truly a unique one. With 9 Chefs and over 100 guests, everyone cooked alongside their selected Chefs to make a meal from the comfort of their own kitchen. This year’s event was extremely important as we worked to highlight the incredible culinary talent that we have here in the Region, knowing that the hospitality industry has been severely impacted by the pandemic. The evening also raised over $4,000 for the Chamber’s Physician Recruitment program!

Business Excellence Awards Gala Although the event hasn’t happened yet, this year’s nominees have been announced, and we were overwhelmed with the number of nominations that came in from across the business community this year. During a difficult year, there are still so many business successes to celebrate, and we’re looking forward to announcing the winners on February 18th!

With a New Year upon us, we’ve announced several upcoming events, and we would be thrilled to have you join us. To show our appreciation for your support over the past year, we’d like to extend a free event pass to you for an upcoming virtual event*. Email events@greaterkwchamber.com and mention the code ADVOCATE to register. For a listing of our upcoming events, check out the “Mark Your Calendars” page in this edition of the Advocate, or, visit www.greaterkwchamber.com.

Carolyn Marsh & Hannah Kelly Events Team *Valid for any GKWCC event prior to February 15, 2021.

Holiday Events In place of our annual Holiday Open House at the Chamber Office, we had some festive fun with the Libro Chamber Young Professionals event on December 9th and the Jay Fencing Business Around 5 on December 10th. In addition to holiday entertainment and networking, donations to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region were also encouraged.

Visit us online at www.LMICanada.com and www.erb-erb.com

· Integrity · Expertise · Commitment ·

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Rethinking who Universities Educate Well before the COVID-19 pandemic upturned our economy, and social distancing forced us to move interactions to a virtual environment, society was experiencing the opportunities and challenges that technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, nanotechnology, robotics and 3-D printing present. We are fortunate to live, work and learn in Waterloo Region, a community poised to adapt and lead in a world where the changing nature of work and learning will be one of the defining characteristics of the century.

What are the trends we are seeing related to the nature of work? According to a recent report from the World Economic Forum, 54 per cent of employees will need new skills by 2022 and 30 per cent of the skills that employees use today, they did not have a year ago. Think about the tools many employees and students have added to their toolbox in the last 12 months alone: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and a plethora of other project and learning management software to name a few. Indeed, the pandemic has added urgency to the need for people to learn new skills and upgrade existing skills as schools, post-secondary institutions and entire industries have significantly shifted the way they work and do business — and not just for the short term.

In a post-pandemic world, universities, as hubs of knowledge creation and dissemination, are in a unique position to meet the growing demand for advanced education. The pandemic, and the spotlight on issues of racism and racial inequity in 2020, have provided us an opportunity for a reset. We now have the opportunity to reimagine how we address the pressing challenges of our time – climate change, poverty, and equity, to name a few—as they intersect with the future of work and learning.

The university sector has an important role to play in creating this new world as we prepare citizens who think deeply about complex issues, problem solve, and use ethics and theoretical lenses when approaching their work. By instilling this knowledge and skill in people, universities are supporting resilience in the face of rapid technological and social change.

I am certain that the fundamentals of a university education will remain the same, and arguably, become more important, as we navigate the rise of artificial intelligence, enhanced robotics and smart cities. We will need computer programmers who consider equity and accessibility, business leaders who embrace social and environmental concerns as

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much as they do profits, and citizens who are engaged and aware of their obligations, rights and freedoms.

Typically, university graduates have acquired these ‘soft’ or ‘enduring’ skills through four-year undergraduate degrees, and then further develop them through graduate work. This kind of education has historically happened in a very linear fashion. However, as workers are displaced by technology and people require new skills for mid-career shifts, universities need to reconsider if this pattern of educational attainment truly fits the needs of modern learners.

As universities broaden their reach and become accessible to more people from different backgrounds, they need to create opportunities for learners to access education in ways that fit with their personal and professional lives. In response to these evolving learning needs, Wilfrid Laurier University is focusing on credential innovation as part of our institution’s five-year (2019-2024) strategic plan.

Already, Laurier has launched a number of smaller credential offerings for mid-career workers, which leverage our faculty expertise and offer an opportunity to develop the enduring skills typically acquired at universities. The Digital Literacy and Emerging Technologies certificate offers introductory courses in bitcoin and blockchain, cybercrime, and biometrics, to name a few. The program is aimed at professionals looking to fill knowledge gaps in technology shifts. As another example, Laurier has recently launched a series of courses called the Gladue Principles: Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian Criminal Justice System, which are targeted at people who work in the legal, social and public safety sectors to provide historical context on Indigenous law and the inter-generational impact of colonization.

In an exciting initiative, Laurier and Communitech have launched, in collaboration with local partners, a program that develops in-demand skills in mid-career workers in our region. Right now, 40 local employees are participating in the program, first engaging in workshops in sales and communications offered through Communitech Academy, followed by intensive immersion learning, taught by Laurier faculty, in which a semester-long for-credit course has been condensed into six weeks.

As part of pandemic recovery and to meet the accelerating need for education and skills development, post-secondary institutions have an opportunity to work with the business community to identify knowledge gaps and collaboratively

develop programming to meet these needs. Through the recently launched Future of Work and Learning Coalition, Laurier, the University of Waterloo and Conestoga College are collaborating with Communitech, government, community, and business to develop a number of innovative training and education programs that will ensure Waterloo Region’s citizens remain resilient in a rapidly changing world.

As we continue to consider how a university education might be acquired in different ways, the pandemic has demonstrated that university learning can happen in many forums. In-person, hybrid models blending in-person and virtual learning, and fully online programs can all be very effective.

Indeed, the rapid expansion of virtual learning during COVID is making university education accessible in a way that it has never been before. It is now possible for students around the world to have broad access to the many course and degree offerings that were previously only available to those who lived in university communities or had the privilege of being able to afford living away from home. At the same time, this move to a virtual world has magnified the inequities of connectivity for those living in communities without adequate internet or cellular services. With provincial and federal governments accelerating connectivity strategies to bring high-speed internet to the most remote areas of Canada, I am hopeful that these inequities will soon be resolved.

In this Canada of the near future, where everyone has access to broadband, universities will have the opportunity to imagine both fully virtual and truly hybrid options of learning, where students could spend part of their program in-person or virtually and the rest in their communities where they might engage in work-integrated learning opportunities such as co-op or community service learning. Giving highly skilled and educated people the opportunity to be more mobile and to work and learn in more remote areas has the potential to be a catalyst for regional economic equity, especially in a country as dispersed as ours.

These are exciting times with much potential for innovation and imaginative thinking. While there is no question that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant hardships, we have risen to these challenges and come together to find ways to continue to work and learn. With a vaccine on the horizon, soon we will be able to again gather in offices, classrooms, and boardrooms. At the same time, we will be able to learn from elements of our experiences in 2020 and apply them to enhance our society.

As we look ahead to a pandemic recovery and postpandemic world, post-secondary institutions, governments, communities and businesses must collaborate to meet the needs of our citizens. Conventional wisdom has held that education is a great equalizer. As universities re-imagine ways to meet the needs of a growing diverse body of learners, we have an opportunity to truly reach all those in need of skills and knowledge development. Making this new world of work and learning as equitable as possible is a priority for Laurier.

I am confident that with the input and expertise of our community partners, our ambitious plans in this area will be realized.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Deborah MacLatchy Deborah MacLatchy is the president and vice-chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University and a distinguished biologist.

Dr. MacLatchy spearheaded the development of the Laurier Strategy: 2019-2024, which focuses the university’s priorities on future readiness and building a thriving community.

advocate January | February 2021

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board of directors

Meet the 2020-21 Board of Directors Top Row (left to right): Brad Dunbar Kelly McManus Adam Smith Shelley Forwell Ian McLean

Middle Row (left to right): Andrea Vrbanac Nick Heffner Allison Bourke Kris Ronan Scott Gilfillan

Bottom Row (left to right): Sean Sullivan Wendi Campbell Richard Jaques Carleen Carroll Glenn Thorpe

Canada's Innovation Corridor Business Council Four years ago Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade between Waterloo Region and Toronto formed the Canada's Innovation Corridor Business Council with representation from Brampton, Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Halton Hills, Hamilton, Milton and Mississauga.

The original mandate was to optimize economic opportunities within the growing Innovation Corridor and lobby for appropriate infrastructure support most notably improved passenger rail service. The group was also active in the establishment of Next Generation Manufacturing Canada, the recipient of funding under the Super Cluster Innovation Fund to support the integration of Canadian advanced manufacturing and IT resources.

The work of the Business Council is strongly supported by many business and institutional partners and we thank them for making the Waterloo Region-Toronto Corridor a premier location for investment, research, and job creation.

Thanks to the Greater KW Chamber partners that sponsor our efforts on this important initiative.

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advocate January | February 2021

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Access Student

Talent

Connecting small businesses with post-secondary students

Work with stu dents in a variety o f ways: co-op work te rms, field placeme nts, capstone pro jects, and more!

Learn how students can help your business today!

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce’s Access Student Talent program helps to connect small businesses with postsecondary students. We make it easier for small businesses to engage with students by providing resources and connections to our education partners.

In partnership and funded in part by:

www.bher.ca

Our Educational Partners:

Contact Allison Mitchell

Stay Connected

(519) 576-5000 ext. 6056

@AST_GKWCC

amitchell@greaterkwchamber.com greaterkwchamber.com

@GKWCC facebook.com/GKWCC

feature

The Right People at the Right Time: Students, Work and KW’s Business Community Co-ops. Internships. Apprenticeships. Work-study. Businesses in the Kitchener Waterloo area may have heard about programs that bring students from colleges and universities into the workplace, but not enough companies take advantage of the opportunities.

The good news is that the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) and the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce (GKWCC) are working together to develop new tools to make work-integrated learning (WIL) easier to access and more effective for smaller businesses.

With the funding support from BHER, the GKWCC is expanding their Access Student Talent program, which helps to connect small and medium sized businesses with post-secondary students from their education partners – Conestoga College, the University of Waterloo, and Wilfrid Laurier University. Through this program, 200 students will engage in WIL opportunities with small and medium sized businesses in the Kitchener Waterloo region. High-quality WIL programs help students develop new skill sets and networks, while employers get access to skilled and diverse talent pipelines, and fresh ideas.

Canada and the KW region have an increasing need for talent with a different mix of skills. Employers require more than just technical know-how in new hires. A 2020 report by the Business Council of Canada, BHER’s founding partner, found that large companies were on the hunt for graduates with socalled “human skills.” These include: • Collaboration • Communication • Resilience • Self-regulation Surprisingly, 62 per cent of employers reported that new hires lack some of these skills. However, companies that invested in WIL were less likely to report this problem. These skills are especially critical during COVID-19, when businesses of all sizes are grappling with the uncertainty and strain of operating safely during a global pandemic.

And WIL isn’t just for big companies. Small and medium sized businesses are the bedrock of our economy and are fundamental to our recovery. That’s why BHER and GKWCC’s partnership is focused on the needs of small businesses, including providing resources about the different WIL opportunities available and how businesses can effectively work with students. The GKWCC’s Access Student Talent team will also create a how-to guide that can be used by other

Chambers and organizations across the country who are interested in strengthening the connection between business and post-secondary students in their region.

Tom Bileski, owner of KW-based Lax Coach Locker and Procurement Coordinator for the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore, saw the value of WIL while working with two groups of students during COVID-19.

“One group assisted me with Habitat for Humanity ReStore and the challenge of adding an online e-commerce portal to our existing brick and mortar stores. They were able to quickly identify the key issues we faced and creatively provided a number of solutions that we were able to incorporate as we launched our new online stores,” he says.

“I also worked with a talented group that assisted me with pivoting my personal business selling sports equipment at tournaments and festivals into an online store. Their suggestions reflected the products and services I offer, embedded the unique features and benefits I bring to the marketplace and helped me to creatively include both aspects into my new online store.”

Connecting these companies with the next generation of talent will strengthen our students, businesses and the communities we call home.

ABOUT BHER The Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) is a national non-profit that brings together Canada’s postsecondary institutions and employers. One of BHER’s big goals is to ensure that all students get the opportunity to do some type of WIL before they finish school, and we are proud partners of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce (GKWCC).

To learn more, visit www.bher.ca.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Valerie Walker Dr. Valerie Walker is the Chief Executive Officer of the Business + Higher Education Roundtable.

advocate January | February 2021

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feature

The Future of Work and Learning, 2020 and Beyond It’s no surprise the year 2020 proved to be a pivotal year concerning our jobs, our futures, the economy and our prosperity. There’s never been a more pressing time to adapt quickly, innovate, and use the digital tools available to us to quickly move forward towards our new normal. Rapid technological change has meant Canadian workers need new skills to succeed. Employer and employee expectations have evolved, and it’s time to ready our workforce and create new paths for success.

In the age of a pandemic, our plans put into place for the near-future quickly turned to present-day reality. PWC Canada has found that eighty-seven per cent of the Canadian workforce is made up of mid-career employees aged 37 to 54 who need new skills. The future of the Canadian economy is driven by our ability to access talent. According to the 2020 KPMGs CEO outlook, talent has risen to be the most significant threat to their businesses post-pandemic.

COVID-19 has accelerated many aspects of the future of work and learning including remote work, a need for rapid reskilling and upskilling of our workforce, non-traditional work arrangements and a renewed focus on overall wellbeing.

No organization, academic institution or government can solve this on their own as these challenges require systemwide collaboration. We need to develop more forums to identify common priorities across sectors and work collaboratively to learn from each other and co-create the future of work. To help ensure Canadian workers, organizations and communities continue to succeed as technology transforms the workforce, Communitech and other community organizations formed the Waterloo Region Future of Work and Learning Coalition. The coalition exists to identify common priorities like reskilling and upskilling and work collaboratively to learn from each other and try new solutions. Local community partners of all sizes, including the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, collectively developed a future of work playbook to help future-proof Canadian businesses. We collected research and insights, open-sourced learnings and best practices within the community, and syndicated models for use in other regions across Canada.

An example of a pilot program we’ve run with Wilfrid Laurier University was to develop a framework to prepare the mid-career workforce for the future of work. “A Framework for Future Proofing Communities” was the first truly agile skills development program in Canada and was funded by the Ontario government through the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development’s Skills Catalyst Program. All learnings from this program will be used to develop a set of tools and templates that can be adopted and delivered by any community in Ontario seeking to future-proof its workforce.

There are also skills needed in the future that we need to build. These include human experience skills like emotional intelligence and empathy, reimagination skills like curiosity and critical thinking, pivoting skills like change leadership and resilience, and future currency skills like data and digital acumen. Two of the skills we focused on as part of the Framework for Future Proofing Communities pilot program were communication and sales. We also see the importance of bridging a partnership between education and industry.

Luckily, there are programs like the GKWCC Access Student Talent program, which helps to fill roles that would be a good fit for post-secondary education students at Conestoga College, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo.

As we continue to research, grow, and envision what the future holds, we know for certain that we need to continue to work together to provide our Canadian workforce and Canadian companies the tools for success in a new digital chapter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Simon Chan Simon Chan is the Vice President, Talent, Academy, and Future of Work at Communitech, and is leading the development of a Future of Work & Learning coalition with partners from academia, private and public sectors in Waterloo Region to build a community of practice to help future proof organizations.

advocate January | February 2021

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RBC Dominion Securities Inc.

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For more details, please contact Vice-President and Branch Manager Mark Hodson at 519-747-7790 or mark.hodson@rbc.com.

We value diversity in the workplace, are committed to Employment Equity and will provide reasonable workplace accommodation to applicants with disabilities. RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©2017 RBC Dominion Securities Inc. All rights reserved. 17_90561_001

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feature

Local Not-For-Profit Off to a “Strong Start” in a Great New Space Thanks to SG Cunningham’s Community Project Initiative When Machelle Denison, Executive Director of Strong Start – a charity based in Waterloo Region that develops programs that help children learn to read – was faced with the obstacle of renovating a new larger space from which to run the rapidly growing organization, her colleagues and friends advised her to reach out to SG Cunningham. Machelle had seen SGC’s name associated with other local charities like The Food Bank of Waterloo Region and the Child Witness Centre and was familiar with the philanthropic and communitymindedness that is increasingly associated with the SG Cunningham name.

Feeling intimidated by the prospect of undergoing a major move and renovation, she was relieved that Georgia Cunningham – President and CEO of SG Cunningham – helped make the process easy and affordable by inviting Strong Start to be their 2020 “Community Project.”

“When we thought about this renovation, I didn’t even know where to start. When I imagined the project, I was thinking that I would have to do the contracting.” Denison wondered, how am I ever going to do that? “Then Georgia and I discussed SG Cunningham’s Community Project initiative and she explained to me what that meant in terms of the flow through of the invoices from the trades – ‘open book’ they call it, where we get to see all the costs and get to pick the subcontractors we want to work with. That was just a huge relief. And that was in addition to their own financial contribution in the form of a donation, which was incredibly generous and helped make this possible.”

As a company that builds great spaces, SG Cunningham also strongly believes in building community. In recent years, they have worked with local not-for-profits and charities on urgent capital projects and afterwards donate any cost savings and profits back to the charity.

These local businesses, also involved in the project, were inspired by SGC’s Community Project initiative and donated to Strong Start: • The Bold Group • Brody Enterprises • Conestogo Mechanical • G.L. Industries Ltd. • Hi-Tech Door Automation • ICI Marble and Tile • K-W Glass • Overhead Door Company • Elemental Interior Design

Local general contractor, SG Cunningham, gave a well-deserved financial boost to Strong Start when they expanded into a new space. SGC adopted the project as their 2020 Community Project and rallied their network to assist as well.

Machelle was also surprised to learn what SG Cunningham would do behind the scenes to further help Strong Start: “Georgia, as an ambassador for Strong Start and a champion of the project, talked to the trades that worked on the project to see if they would also be willing to donate a percentage of their profits back to our cause. That’s what she’s been doing in the background as part of the Community Project and it’s just incredible. Plus, it’s introducing a lot of people to Strong Start who didn’t know about us before.”

Thrilled with the outcome of the renovation at their new Waterloo location, Strong Start is now in a better position to oversee their programs across Waterloo Region; Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk; Elgin, Middlesex and Oxford Counties; Bruce Grey; Hamilton; Guelph and Wellington County – with sights to expand to more communities across Ontario. For the first time, Strong Start is “all under one roof ”: they can store hundreds of programming kits in an on-site warehouse, they have dedicated space for volunteer training sessions and have offices for their entire team with opportunity to grow.

To learn more about their important work and to donate, please visit: strongstart.ca.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Caroline Dutka Caroline is the Communications Specialist and Director of Diversity at SG Cunningham, a full-service general contractor and construction management firm. For 44 years, SGC has helped clients bring innovative designs to life, building inspirational spaces across Waterloo Region and Southwestern Ontario. advocate January | February 2021

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Waterloo Region businesses have demonstrated resiliency during these challenging times. Our work with business owners over the last few months has been one of the highlights of our roles as Members of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre and Waterloo.

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Helping us make our vision possible A special Thank You to each of these Chamber Sponsors.

The Chamber realizes its vision through the support of its sponsors. We are the voice of all business in Waterloo Region - no matter the size of the business or the sector represented - and these sponsors make that possible through their donation of time, energy and financial support. On behalf of Chamber staff and members, we would like to thank these organizations:

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member notables

Member Notables New President Appointed at University of Waterloo Dr. Vivek Goel, a distinguished scholar with extensive achievements in research, teaching and leadership across both public and private sectors, will become the seventh president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo.

Dr. Goel has held a number of senior leadership roles at the University of Toronto including Vice-President and Provost and Vice-President, Research and Innovation. His appointment represents the culmination of an almost yearlong effort by a 19-member presidential nominating committee comprised of students, staff, faculty and board governors, in consultation with stakeholders across campus and the broader community.

His five-year term will commence on July 1, 2021. Our Chamber would like to extend congratulations on the appointment and welcomes Dr. Goel to Waterloo Region.

Nicole Pohl is new President of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors A new board of directors has been elected to lead the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors (KWAR). Nicole Pohl, an agent with Re/Max Twin City Realty is the new president succeeding Colleen Koehler.

Joining Ms. Pohl as officers of the Association are Ms. Koehler of Re/Max Twin City Realty as Past President, Megan Bell of Royal LePage Wolle Realty as 1st Vice President, Andrea Fedy of Royal LePage Wolle as 2nd Vice President, and Bill Duce, Chief Executive Officer.

New directors this year are Erin Parsons of Re/Max Solid Gold Realty, Jason Van Amelsvoort of TrilliumWest Real Estate Brokerage, and Nathan Steffler of Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty. Returning directors are Tracey Appleton of Royal LePage Wolle Realty, Elias Jiryis of Re/Max Twin City Realty, Leon Martin of Re/Max Solid Gold Realty, and Duncan Webster of CBRE Limited.

Colleen James named to list of Top Canadian Black Women to Watch Colleen James, a professor at the Conestoga College School of Business and CEO of local equity and inclusion firm Divonify, has been named one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada in 2020. She was recognized by the Canada International Black Women Event at a virtual ceremony on October 17.

Ms. James is a former board president of Focus for Ethnic Women and currently serves as a member of the Kitchener Mayor’s Equity Task Force. In July she moderated the Region of Waterloo’s anti-racism town hall meetings and provides workshops, training and guidance through Divonify to make workplaces more inclusive.

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member notables

Member Notables Order of Canada Recognition for Max Blouw Former Wilfrid Laurier University President Dr. Max Blouw was recently named a member of the Order of Canada.

Dr. Blouw served at Laurier from 2007 to 2017 and was recognized “for his dedicated leadership as an academic administrator and for his advancement of evidence-based research at Canadian universities.” He also served as chair of the Council of Ontario Universities and on the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. In 2019, Dr. Blouw was appointed president of the Research Universities’ Council of British Columbia.

Our congratulations are extended to Dr. Blouw for this distinguished achievement and we thank him for many years of service to the local community.

Local Manulife Executive Named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women Janine Barry, AVP, Digital Engagement, Manulife Bank was recently recognized by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women. The award recognizes the professional achievements of strong leaders across the country.

Ms. Barry is an active member and supporter of the Global Women’s Alliance Employee Resource Group at Manulife and sits on the board of trustees for St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener. She has a degree in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and a diploma in Internet and Electronic Commerce from Seneca College.

Expansion Plans Announced for Waterloo Brewing Waterloo Brewing, Ontario’s largest Canadian-owned brewery, recently announced they will be partnering with the Sherway Group who will operate a 150,000 square foot warehouse facility in Ayr to provide both storage and warehouse services on behalf of the Company.

For the last 43 years, the Sherway Group has grown to be one of Ontario’s pre-eminent providers of supply chain services in the beer and alcoholic beverage industry.

George Croft, Waterloo Brewing President and CEO, indicated in a news release that the company is experiencing double-digit growth on both their owned brands and comanufacturing business. The partnership with the Sherway Group provides a top-tier solution that delivers product quality and integrity with the flexibility to readily adjust to the rapidly growing needs of their business.

Mr. Croft also noted that their recent decisions will result in the local hiring of more people at both Waterloo Brewing and the Sherway warehouse facility.

advocate January | February 2021

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WHAT’S NEXT IN RECOVERY READINESS

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