FORTYUNDER40
2016
2016 RECIPIENTS
Maria Artuso, 37 branch manager, RBC Financial Group
Maria Artuso, RBC Carey Assaf, Kardish Health Food Centres Chris Bailey, Unlimi-Tech Software
#ott40
Summer Baird, the Hintonburg Public House James Baker, Gowling WLG Katrina Barclay, Malenka Originals Jason Bellefleur, Bellefleur Physiotherapy Alex Benay, Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation Frank Bouchard, Wipebook Catherine Clark, Catherine Clark Communications Jeff Clarke, Inflector Environment Services Elliott Gauthier, Hill+Knowlton Strategies Joe Hajjar, MDS Aero Support Chris Harder, Spartan Bioscience Nadine Hogan, Wheelhouse
Celebration of success Each year, OBJ and the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce choose 40 of the region’s top young business leaders and recognize them for their professional achievements, expertise and community involvement. On the following pages, readers will get a chance to find out more about this year’s recipients and learn who they are and what drives them to constantly strive for greatness.
Graeme Hussey, Cahdco and CCOC Richard Isaac, RealDecoy Vicki Iverson, Iversoft Solutions Mischa Kaplan, Rainbow Foods Farhad Khan, Grype Solutions Safeena Kherani, ENT MDs Ben Lalonde, Orleans Autopro Domenic Madonna, D-Squared Group John Mathers, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group Jonathan Milne, Invest Ottawa Alex Monk, Dominion City Brewing Jonathon Moody, Versature Nicolas Moyer, Humanitarian Coalition Shane Parrish, Farnam Street Media Melissa Reeves, Linebox Studio Billy Rogers, Escape Manor Chad Saikaley, GGFL Mark Savenkoff, Carleton University Andy Scott, Scott Coulson Scott Karen Sparks, Wesley Clover Parks Fayez Thawer, Tasico Hospitality Rob Villeneuve, Rebel
Carey Assaf, 34 owner and general manager, Kardish Health Food Centres Birthplace: Ottawa Company: We sell health and wellness products. Education: Bachelor of physical education, Brock University (2004) Charitable involvement: Canadian Medical Foundation Biggest biz achievement: Winning the Canadian Health Food Association’s Retailer of the Year award in 2015. This is voted on by industry peers, so it is an award I hold dear to my heart because the people in my industry recognized the hard work and success of my business. Biggest biz obstacle: Personally leaving the front-line work. It took me a long time to train and coach my managers to get to the point where I could fully trust in them to be the everyday faces that make my company thrive. It took years of refining systems and procedures to make life easier for store managers and team members so they can have the knowledge and time to serve our customers to the best of their abilities. Biggest influence: My father, Michael Assa. I grew up in the business as his righthand man and learned everything I know about hard work from him. He taught me the importance of having pride in every aspect of your business from bending over backwards for every customer who walked in the door to cleaning the corner edges of the floor with a hand scraper. Biggest lesson learned: Never settle and always look to improve. I thought I had the best way to do everything until I implemented computerized point-ofsale systems to the mix. That opened my eyes and made me realize there is a more efficient way to do everything. Since then, I have been reinventing policies and procedures almost every week to make the business more efficient and impactful. First job: Bulk filler at Kardish Foods Advice I’d give the younger me: Don’t wait so long to stand up for yourself. It’s incredible what you will achieve when you take control of your time and your decisions. I chose this career because: After I decided I did not want to pursue a teaching career, I followed my father’s footsteps and came back to the health food industry. I knew it better than any other industry and I knew I could excel at it and
09 OBJ.CA
Graeme Webster, KOBLE Commercial Real Estate Alan Wehbe, UTG Digital Media
FORTY UNDER
Birthplace: North York Company: RBC Financial Group is the largest financial institution in Canada. Education: MBA, financial services program, Dalhousie University (2015); business administration, three-year honours diploma, Georgian College (2001) Charitable involvement: Junior Achievement Canada Biggest biz achievement: I have had the opportunity to take on two newly created positions at RBC that no one had ever occupied in the market where I was working. This was an amazing experience, although a little nerve-wracking at times, because it allowed me to blaze a trail and turn the position into a role that was impactful and set up well for another colleague to take to the next level. This provided me the opportunity to think outside the box, be innovative and try things to see if they worked. Biggest biz obstacle: Gender bias Biggest influence: My parents. They raised us to be very hard-working, never give up, be respectful of others and always surround yourself with great people. They have both been exceptionally supportive throughout my personal and professional journey, continue to be wonderful sounding boards and are always proud of us regardless of the achievement. Biggest lesson learned: Never judge a book by its cover. In the financial services industry, I have the opportunity to meet many wonderful clients. It’s important to never allow personal bias or personal judgment to get in the way of providing outstanding financial advice. First job: Pharmacy dispensary assistant Advice I’d give the younger me: Work hard and play hard; doing what’s right for the right reasons will always allow everyone to win and will provide opportunities for the greater good; be a trailblazer; and always find time to give back to the community. One word to describe your career: Fulfilling When I was a kid, I wanted to be: A teacher, lawyer or police officer. As I get older, I now reflect on my next career as a race car driver. The excitement for change, speed and anything being possible continues to be very thrilling and exciting for me! You just never know! Favourite pastimes: Spending time with my husband and family; visiting new places; riding my motorcycle in the summer. Favourite song: There are way too many.
Biggest local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2016
Jeff Saikaley, Caza Saikaley LLP
Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship