Everyone Has a Unique Path to Success

Explore the inspiring careers of real people in our community. Our volunteers summarize their work, education and other relevant experience.

Education & Social Services, Business

Chantal Gray, Co-Founder, Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist

In the field of Social Work, there is so many things you can do. As a social worker, you'd be the person a child, peer, parent or your family could talk to. You'd listen to their feelings and help them...

Arts & Culture, Arts

Elvira V. Hopper, Founder

I help heart-centred humans who are kind & sensitive, who have often been bullied & traumatized, to make peace with their past, connect to their aligned, authentic and fully self-expressed self and make the REST of their life, the BEST...

Medical & Health, Business

Amber Kosubovich, Physiotherapist and Clinic Owner

Physiotherapists provide assessment and treatment for individuals with injuries from sports, car accidents, work injuries or diseases such as arthritis. Many physiotherapists work in private clinics such as mine. Others work in hospitals or do home visits. Teaching appropriate exercises...

Arts & Culture, Arts

Sally McKay, Visual Arts Director

As the Visual Arts Director in a busy art school I do many different kinds of work throughout each day. I come up with ideas for courses and I work closely with teachers to make sure that our students’ needs...

Law & Government, Business

Jennifer Valeri, Paralegal

I provide general legal services in all areas of law except real estate and estates. I do a lot of civil litigation and paperwork for legal processes.

Architecture & Construction, Arts

Erika MacKay, Founder & CEO

As Founder & CEO my job really revolves around business development, strategy and managing my team. We focus on designing commercial spaces, and put an emphasis on wellbeing in the built environment, which directs a lot of the strategy initiatives...

Arts & Culture, Arts

Donna Withnell, Owner

My job as a brand and web designer allows me to serve small businesses that are starting out on their entrepreneur journey. I guide them through the path of everything they need to have a successful launch day. We work...

Business & Finance, Business

Meghan Gougeon, Real Estate Broker

I help people move from one place to another. Whether that be their first home or their last. People need to move for all sorts of reasons and my job is to help them make the process as smooth as...

Medical & Health, Arts

Jennifer Graham, RMT - Owner of 2 Wellness Clinics

Each day for me is different, which is very suitable to my personality. I’ve never said ‘gotta go to work’ which unfortunately for many is associated with unhappiness. I’m lucky enough to say ‘I’m off to heal’ being an RMT...

Architecture & Construction, Business

Amanda Kirkland, Personal Growth Coach

I help people struggling with difficult relationships – at home, with friends, at work. We look at how our behaviour can contribute to my client's difficulties. We also turn the mirror to look at and learn why the other...

Medical & Health, Business

Harriet Ekperigin, Vice President, Clinical

The Vice President of Clinical Services is like the leader of a team that helps make sure people get the right medical care and treatment when they are not feeling well. My job is a bit like the captain of a...

Medical & Health, Business

Kaley Metler, Personal Trainer / Business owner

I am a personal trainer, fascial stretch therapist, run coach, and a sports nutrition coach. I love helping youth and women my age(45 and older) learn more about their bodies and how we can use movement for joy, food for...

Education & Social Services, Arts

Aynsley Warden, Speech Language Pathologist

I help people who have difficulty communicating with others, or difficulty understanding communication and how to interact with others, or difficulty swallowing. I work with people of all ages from birth to seniors to become successful communicators. I work with...

Business & Finance, Business

Holly Soave, Executive Director/Owner/Management Consultant

I own a consulting firm based in Toronto. We help businesses in all industries understand what's happening in the world, how that affects their business, and what they can do about it to make sure they can continue to grow...

Business & Finance, Business

Dave Ertl, Estate Planning Professional

I draft (type) Wills and Powers of Attorney at our law firm. A Will is a legal document that, upon your death, determines how your assets will be divided, who will manage your estate, and ultimately, who will receive the...

Business & Finance, Arts

Andrew Brown, Founder

I listen to people's stories for a living. Then I try to help them by giving advice, coaching, information, strategies on how they want to improve their lives or deal with a particular situation. I use the law...

Medical & Health, Business

Todd Ruhl, Optometrist

An optometrist is like the family doctor for your eyes. We are the people who will check to ensure you are seeing well, to assess if you need glasses (or contact lenses) as well as check the health of...

Arts & Culture, Arts

Vicky Harrison, Teacher/Jewellery Designer/Training for Motivational Coach

I design, create and market my jewellery. This involves searching for supplies, budgeting, accounting, marketing (booking craft shows, accommodations, flights, shipping, advertising for shows), packaging, booth displays etc. With the huge change that Covid brought about, an entrepreneur needs to be...

Business & Finance, Business

Jill Cashman, Founder, Chief Strategist, Advisor

As a business strategist, I specialize in branding, marketing and communications. As a marketing agency/design firm practitioner for about 20 years, I help clients in various industries determine: * what their brand (their company) stands for including how they are or...

Arts & Culture, Arts

Art Commisso, Founder/Photographer

I am a commercial headshot and portrait photographer who specializes in bringing out the best in people so they can make a lasting impact with their personal brand.

Business & Finance, Business

Ben Cronsberry, Head of Sales

I sell software to e-commerce brands and their 3rd party logistics providers

Business & Finance, Business

Jennifer Grindatto, Mortgage Agent -#M23006177

As a relationship sales professional, I assist people with the coordination of their mortgages (borrowing to purchase a home, take money out of their home etc.)

Business & Finance, Business

Monica Bilan, Information Specialist - Student Services

I help adults (individuals 18+ years of age) select an academic program that matches their career goals, if we offer a related program at McMaster Continuing Education. In addition, I assist with creating study plans, share information about academic policies...

Computers & Telecom, Computer Studies

Lianne Broughton, Radiograhper/Sonographer, Computer Analyst

My original career was in healthcare working in the x-ray department. My primary role was taking pictures of patients' anatomy with either X-rays or ultrasound. This career requires you to know anatomy, physics (sound waves, xrays etc.). This profession allows...

Business & Finance, Business

Judi Partridge, Former City Councillor, Director, Business owner

As a former municipal government City Councillor (think of Mayor of Waterdown/Flamborough) I dedicated 12 years representing the residents of Ward 15 (Waterdown/East Flamborough) as a passionate advocate. Community projects such as Waterdown Memorial Park Skating Loop, playground, paved walking...

Service Industry, Arts

Anastasia Yarrow, Esthetician / Studio Owner

Becoming an Esthetician is one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. You have the opportunity to make someones day just a little extra special. There are so many services that estheticians can choose from now. ...

Business & Finance, Business

Amanda DeVries, Executive Director

As the Executive Director of a local non-profit I am responsible to drive strategic planning, fundraising, and build stakeholder relationships to achieve our mission and goals. I oversee the finances, and manage staff. I report to a board of directors. I...

Arts & Culture, Social Sciences and Humanities

Ted McMeekin, Councillor for Flamborough Waterdown (Ward 15)

My job is to serve as a ‘caretaker’ for the Flamborough Waterdown Carlisle community at Hamilton City Council and within the community. My role is to gather people together, connect with them by listening and then ACT in the best...

Fashion & Design, Arts

Mark Reinhardt, Senior Designer

As a Senior Digital Graphic Designer at Milestone Integrated, my job is like being a digital artist who uses computers as a canvas. I get to use my creativity to make websites, online videos, social media posts, and advertisements look...

Business & Finance, Arts

Samantha McGregor, Corporate Event Coordinator

I coordinate the logistics of events within our downtown Toronto office, from networking cocktails, workshops, team meetings, board meetings, etc. along with help coordinating sponsorship activations (events and other projects) along with tradeshows.

Service Industry, Science

Holly Forrest, Dog Trainer & Behaviour

Trainers help people teach their dogs what they want to achieve. We often work with dogs who have behavioural concerns, our job is to determine the cause of the behaviour, reduce the undesirable behaviour, and teach the dog what we...

Business & Finance, Business

Jen Gray, CEO

I own and operate a used car dealership, selling vehicles on a daily basis!

Business & Finance, Business

Nick Brown, President & Wealth Advisor

I help business owners and professionals grow their money and build wealth so they can retire with a comfortable lifestyle.

Natural Resources & Transportation, English

Tom Fisher, Airline Pilot

An airline pilot operates complex machinery in a crew (team) environment transporting people and cargo to destinations domestic and international.. The skills required are self motivation, problem solving, physical handling of aircraft, computer skills as well as social and communication...

Medical & Health, Health and Physical Education

L Struck, Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear Medicine looks at how the body/organs/disease works. We use radioactive tracers (not a dye) that we attach to a molecule that the organ or disease we want to look at naturally uses. We then take pictures of...

Architecture & Construction, Guidance and Career Education

Amy Charlong, HR Business Partner

I am a Human Resources professional for one of Canada’s largest construction companies. I manage and support people throughout their employment day to day. This involves everything that comes with their jobs without actually doing their jobs – For example:...

Science & Engineering, Science

Dr. Zobia Jawed, Senior Researcher, Faculty Lead for Engineering Design Projects and Faculty Member for Engineering and Business Program

If I were to describe my job to an 8th-grade student, I would say that I'm like a really smart and accomplished scientist, teacher, and business leader all rolled into one. I have studied a lot and earned multiple advanced...

Architecture & Construction, Business

Tarrah Wynn, General Manager

As a general manager (GM) I am responsible for all or parts of the Canadian operations, including sales, manufacturing/production and controlling costs.

Medical & Health, Health and Physical Education

Lisa Blackwell, Registered Dietitian

Working directly with the general public (outpatients/clients) to review their current everyday nutrition and their health. – we work together to discuss their current life schedule (assess what they're doing) and their needs or wants (set goals) related to their...

Arts & Culture, Arts

Destiny Courneyea, Wedding and Editorial Photographer

My job is filled to the brim with variety. It is the perfect job for someone who is looking to be creative and connect with people all at the same time. Photography is one tool we can use in our world...

Law & Government, Science

Kevin Urbanic, Director General

I am a public servant that works for the Government of Canada. I lead a team of 1000 employees whose job it is to inspect agricultural commodities (food, plant and animal) to help ensure that the food we eat is...

Law & Government, English

Katie Reszitnyk, Lawyer/Mediator

I am an employment lawyer and mediator. I help people who are experiencing issues in their jobs to navigate their legal rights and options, and assist individuals who have lost their jobs in receiving what they are entitled to. I...

Business & Finance, Business

Christina Birmingham, Owner, Human Recourses, Operations Manager

As the co-owner of a technology company, I do everything that is "non-tech" related. Operations Manager - All finance / Payroll / Benefits / Expenses - Bookkeeping, reconciliations, AR / AP, Government Remittances - Work with accountant on...

Education & Social Services, Guidance and Career Education

Kyle Cleveland, Education and Outreach Coordinator

I work with students to help understand their options for education after high school. We talk about where to find programs of interest, how to connect with people at your school of choice and how to prepare to pay for...

Arts & Culture, Arts

Julia Lovett-Squires, Reporter/Photographer

I can sum up journalism in one word: storytelling. We are writers, observers and creatives. We watch, we listen, we ask questions but most importantly, we are seekers of truth. Words can be powerful tools that can help change the...

Arts & Culture, Arts

Trevor Gustafson, Storyboard Artist/Illustrator

I draw storyboards and animatics for many of the commercials you see on TV. Before a TV commercial is made, a script must be written first. After the script is written, it needs to be STORYBOARDED, so the client and everyone...

Skilled Trades, Business

Nick Boehmer, General Carpenter

I build custom homes from the ground up. Foundations, framing and finishing of houses.

Education & Social Services, Health and Physical Education

Gina Faubert, Osteopath, Coach

I help people find ways to improve how they feel -both physically and mentally. I offer exercise, treatments, nutrition, and coaching to support personal growth. I offer this as a private practice with adults, and in camps and...

Medical & Health, Business

Lisa Ward, Owner/Founder

The Flourishing Space is just like the name says- a space to flourish. We are all about personal growth and being our best selves here! I provide guidance and coaching to kids, teens and adults who need extra support with...

Business & Finance, Business

Nicole Serena, Senior Managing Director

Business owner and entrepreneur, author and speaker

Education & Social Services, Guidance and Career Education

Sherri Cully, Mediator/ Career Coach and Recruiter

I assist people with the most important changes in their lives. As a mediator I guide people in solving major conflicts that they are not able to settle on their own. Many of my clients are separating...

Arts & Culture, Arts

Sean Cowan, Reporter

I talk to people. I listen to their voices I share their experiences on television live in front of thousands of people I tell feature stories, hard news, and breaking news around Hamilton, Holton and Niagara

Business & Finance, Business

Andy Burnside, Desjardins Insurance Agent

In my work, I help people better understand how to protect the things they value most in their lives; themselves and their family (life and health insurance), and their assets (Auto and Home Insurance). We understand Insurance, so our customers...

Medical & Health, Social Sciences and Humanities

Nilusha Dore, Registered Psychotherapist

As a Psychotherapist, I help people work through struggles with their emotions and mental wellness. This could be anything from helping families learn how to better communicate with each other, to helping individuals understand why they may react in certain...

Arts & Culture, Arts

Sophie Boers, Graphic Designer

As a Graphic Designer, I am involved in creating a company’s promotional materials, whether print or digital. I design company logos, brochures, presentations, packaging, promotional materials, and website elements. I meet with clients or receive a brief to determine the...

Education & Social Services, Guidance and Career Education

Penny Deathe, Founder/Executive Director

As a Founder of an organization you need to first and foremost be clear on your vision. What is it you want to do, why, and how. Next you need a team to help bring the vision to life. You'll...