As Senior Economic Development Officer at the Fort Erie Economic Development & Tourism Corporation, Adam is responsible for encouraging business retention and expansion within the municipality, and creating a positive business environment. Through hard work and determination, Adam has helped build strong relationships within the public and private sectors, contributing to economic prosperity throughout Niagara. Highly dedicated to the spirit of learning, he completed his MBA at Canisius College where he graduated with Honours, and has gone on to complete several certificate programs at Brock and York Universities.

Amanda and Tim Burke are the Owners and Operators of The Paint Can—a family-owned and an independent interior decorating centre.
The Burkes are locally very a facet of their business—from helping their clients to choose the perfect colours and making the painting process easy. Amanda can take care of service. They have established The Hope Centre — an emergency shelter in Welland for men, women and children.
Amanda has completed a number of product training seminars with Shade-O-Matic and has attended several night courses in interior design at Sheridan College and Tim has attended a number of product training seminars with Shade-O-Matic and has attended several night courses.

Bill is Owner and President of Future Access Inc., a leading website design and I.T. provider, where he is responsible for the firm’s administration and business management. Growing from a small staff to a strong team of over 12 employees, Future Access has grown substantially under Bill’s guidance, seeing sales growth of over 300% in the last five years. Recently nominated for the Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Bill is committed to his community. Over the years, he’s donated thousands of dollars and hours to many local agencies including the Bethany Community Church and the Learning Disabilities Association of Niagara Region.

As the Branch Manager of Meridian Credit Union's Drummond & Dunn Branch, Christina is responsible for a dynamic team. Christina began her career with Meridian in 2003 and worked diligently as a Financial Advisor prior to becoming a Branch Manager. Christina volunteers her time with Community Care, Santa Claus Parade, and many local charities each year. Christina has been actively involved in her children's parent-teacher school committees and Ronald McDonald House and Children's Wish. The wish was granted in honour of her late cousin Julia—Julia's journey ended after her cancer in 2009.

Crispin is the Office Manager, Community Liaison and Transportation Coordinator at Niagara Classic Transport. Starting with the firm in 2007 as a casual driver, Crispin has been promoted two motions over the years. Within the Niagara-on-the-Lake community, Crispin has worked with the Grape & Wine Festival Youth Event of the Year Award 1999. He is also a Chief freighter for motions and has volunteered his time helping many local organizations including the Rankin Cancer Run, the Greater Niagara General Hospital Foundation.

Neeraj is Owner and Head Orthodontist at Niagara Peninsula Orthodontics, taking care of everything from payroll to treating patients. Neeraj has had incredible success since he first purchased his own orthodontic practice back in 2006. He now has practices in St. Catharines and Niagara Falls with a satellite office in Mississauga. He has also doubled his staff, expanded his hours and office space, and is building a larger location for the St. Catharines office. To support the local community, Neeraj has also been an active participant in the Princess Margaret Hospital Ride to Conquer Cancer, raising approximately $150,000 in the past two years.

Jeff is Branch Manager at FirstOntario Credit Union’s Niagara Street Branch in St. Catharines—FirstOntario’s largest branch in the Niagara Region. Here, Jeff is responsible for overseeing the branch’s day-to-day operations. Jeff has been taking over this branch in 2012, Jeff has added new staff, improved branch revenues, and helped play a lead role in his community. Jeff has won a long list of awards including outstanding performance in Branch Manager Excellence Award in 2009. He also has a passion for helping others, contributing to a number of deserving charities.

As a Project Manager with Tucker Design / Build Inc., Jonathan is in charge of managing business practices and several vital tasks, including scheduling, pre-design planning and business development. As part of a family business, he works in many different departments but his main focus is on the management of construction services. Over the past few years, Jonathan has worked on many projects, from office space to community housing developments. He is an active supporter of several charities including the Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation and the Niagara Children’s Centre.

Katie is Business Operations Manager at Napier Enterprises—a designer and distributor of exclusive camping products—where she’s responsible for everything from human resources and recruitment to developing sales and marketing strategies. Joining Napier in 2006 as a Marketing Coordinator, Katie was so successful in her position that she was named Business Operations Manager in 2010. In the past two years alone, she’s helped land new contracts with such major brands as Honda, Kia, Mercedes and Amazon.

Mary Jane is in charge of Corporate Relations at the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce. During her tenure with the Chamber, she has gone from a part-time contract worker to a full-time manager of its membership and sales division. She’s also led the chamber from 1000 to over 1,300 members in the last three years. When she’s not busy growing the Chamber’s membership, Mary Jane lends a helping hand tomorrow by acting as a mentor for Brock University’s alumni mentorship program. She is also an active volunteer with the YMCA and the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival. COMPANY: Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Michael is the Owner and Founder of Laurcoat Inc., where he’s in charge of everything from payroll to research and development. A passionate entrepreneur, Michael launched his own firm in 2000, and has since led a layer of his own a powder coating, and has never looked back. In the past three years, Michael has seen his business grow considerably—developing from a small powder coating firm to a full-service sandblasting operation with a 10,000 square foot facility. Michael is active in the community, sitting on the Board of Directors of St. John’s Lutheran Church and volunteering at local elementary schools for nearly 20 years.

As Agency Manager at Allstate Insurance Company of Canada, Nicole oversees the entire day-to-day operations of its Niagara Falls location. Having moved to Niagara from the Toronto area in 2008 to launch her new office, Nicole has had great success, adding several new staff members to her Allstate team. Always looking to improve her community, Nicole participated in the Women Who Care for Project SHARE event in 2011 and 2012, helping raise over $500,000—and starting up a local chapter of MADD Canada. Nicole has also received several awards over the years including the Spirit of Excellence Award from Allstate in 2010.

As a Branch Manager at Meridian Credit Union’s Alan McLeod Road Branch in Niagara Falls, Scott oversees his branch’s direction and development. Since joining Meridian as a Member Service Representative in 2005, Scott has worked in every branch position before being promoted to Branch Manager in 2013. Scott is involved with a number of community organizations. He is a RAK Committee Member with the Niagara Community Foundation and a Taxation & Finance Committee Member with the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce. A graduate of the Leadership Niagara program, Scott is currently enrolled in the Leadership Niagara Certificate Course.

As the Owner, Founder and Head Physiotherapist at T. Mannella Professional Physiotherapy Corporation, Tania controls every aspect of her clinic from hiring staff to preparing patients to controlling inventory. Since launching her clinic only two and a half years ago as her solo vice offering, she is pleased to say that it has improved by 50%. In the past year, Tania has received the GOOD award by Hospice Niagara and earned an education available and is continually updating her skills. Tania is also proud to contribute to her community, volunteering for many charities like the Boys & Girls Club, the MS Society and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Adam and Diana Sneek, co-owners of The Mill Greenhouses in Port Colborne, transformed a former greenhouse site into a successful full-scale operation specializing in annuals, perennials and vegetable plants. Now in their sixth year, their business continues to grow, with sales rising more than 25% in the past year. They also run a Garden Centre and expand their offerings through Ontario’s Micro-Fit Program. Regularly voted Best Greenhouse, they actively support local charities, events and community initiatives.

Angela is Corporate Sales Manager at the Niagara Parks Commission, having spent many years honing her managerial skills at such leading Niagara attractions as the Great Wolf Lodge, Queen Victoria Place and Fallsview Indoor Waterpark. Since joining the Parks in 2011, Angela has moved into the Senior Manager of Corporate Sales Manager. An accomplished Certified Yoga instructor, she has taught yoga classes to OPP, SVA and corporate industry students for many years. In 2012, she was one of only 12 women in Canada to be named a "Goodwill Ambassador" by Quill Day Spa for her advocacy and commitment to health and wellness.

Working at Meridian Credit Union’s St. Catharines Commercial Business Centre, Brian is committed to providing small and medium-sized businesses with the financing they need to succeed. Since joining Meridian in 2000, Brian has been promoted four times, becoming Commercial Account Manager in the summer of 2008. His sales performance has also grown exponentially. In the past year, Brian has doubled his book of business and tripled his volume of business. Brian has also been involved with the Bethlehem Housing & Support Services for several years acting as Treasurer, Board Member and Chair of the finance committee.

As Associate Lawyer at Lancaster, Brooks & Welch, Civita is responsible for a wide and substantial area of practice. Civita obtained her law degree at an Antigonish university and has officially called Niagara home for ten years. Civita is actively volunteers in the Niagara community as the Board of Directors of Community Care of St. Catharines & Thorold.

Daniel is Vice-President of Sales & Marketing at Henry of Pelham Winery and President of Family Wine Merchants—managing several areas including sales, marketing, branding and product development. Having co-launched his family’s estate winery in 1984, Daniel has been managing the winery’s sales and marketing for 17 years. He also played an integral part in making Henry of Pelham a renowned brand worldwide. A recipient of the City of St. Catharines’ Environmental Stewardship Award, Daniel is active with several organizations including the Wine Council of Ontario. For the past 20 years, he’s also been a staunch supporter of the Niagara Children’s Centre.

Erica is Community Engagement & Development Manager at McMaster’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine where she oversees the school’s marketing, event planning and fund development. Through her work and commitment, Erica has created a solid track record of helping incoming first-year communities work with several partners from eat—non-profit to business and employers in Niagara College. Along with MAC-Master, she has also taken on a number of teaching opportunities, including teaching French conversation courses for adults. Making a difference in her community, Erica is actively involved with the McMaster Medical Research Group.

Jennifer is Wine Program Coordinator and Instructor at the Canadian Food & Wine Institute, Niagara College. Since assuming her position in 2009, Jennifer has worked hard to make Niagara College a leader in the wine education field, bringing new curriculum content, expanding their curriculum to government requirements, and supporting the growth of students and graduates. Jennifer has sat on various boards in recent years including the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers, and Food Adolescents Family Support Services of Niagara. Jennifer is also an active member of the Niagara Women in Science & Style Committee and runs for Big Brothers Big Sisters Go Girls! programs.

As Marketing & Communications Specialist at PenFinancial Credit Union, Josh is responsible for everything from media relations to social media and graphic design. Josh is known as a bright and energetic mind and is a genuine contributor towards advancing economic and social development in Niagara. Josh has excelled substantially in recent months—taking courses at Niagara College and CPI to contribute to upgraded skills. As an active and passionate volunteer in his job and member of the Niagara community, Josh steps up to the plate and has been a board member of several local charities in the non-profit sector

Kevin is Director of Engineering Services at Niagara Peninsula Energy Services. Since joining the firm in 2008, Kevin has provided training in application development, and has assisted the company in specialized conference seminars and outreach programs. Kevin has been attending many committees such as Ontario Outage Management and Geographical Information Systems. He also won the Defasco Industry Recognition Award for his contributions with design.
Kevin is responsible for providing and engineering consulting to several local organizations. Kevin has been responsible for providing top-tier engineering consulting to several community and engineering councils and has received many student interests in engineering.

Melissa is Assistant Branch Manager at Chippewa Branch of the Royal Bank of Canada, where she is responsible for every facet of branch operations. She has been a key part of the branch’s success, attaining several awards including education and sales. She has also been involved with the RBC’s “Blue Water” project initiatives. Melissa has also shown tremendous commitment to her work and community. Melissa is a strong supporter of several charities, including the Boys & Girls Club, the Grape & Wine Festival and the Strategic Planning Group of Project SHARE.

Mike is Automotive Service Manager and Human Resources Manager at Bertie Tire Centre. Here, he’s responsible for overseeing the firm’s day-to-day operations including quoting, ordering parts and personnel management. Since joining his family’s firm in 2000, Mike has learned every facet of the business, working in tire, cleaning, and automotive departments. In the past year, he’s also hired a Health & Safety Representative and helped expand their commercial road service. Mike is proud to donate to several charities and organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Lions Club and the United Way. COMPANY: Bertie Tire Centre

Rachel is a dedicated HR professional, having graduated from Trinity Western University in 2008 and achieving her Certified Human Resources Professional Candidate designation in 2009. Passionate and focused, Rachel has been employed as an HR Consultant with The Burke Group since 2011, where she works closely with many small and mid-sized businesses and goes out of her way to service all their HR needs. Outside of her work with The Burke Group, Rachel provides leadership and administrative support to her family’s business, W Sound Incorporated, which provides in-studio recording, voice-over production and audio for video services to dozens of clients across Niagara.

Shari is the Director of Graduate Programs for the Goodman School of Business at Brock University where she provides strategic leadership and management for seven graduate and pre-graduate programs. Through her commitment and dedication, she has added new staff members, expanded the recruitment efforts in India and Latin America. Shari has taken on prominent roles with several local and industry organizations, acting as President of the Power Glen Co-op Nursery School Group and Examination Supervisor at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. For 14 years, Shari also served as Business Basics Consultant with Junior Achievement of the Niagara Peninsula.

"Amanda and Tim Burke are the Owners and Operators of The Paint Can—a family-owned and an independent interior decorating centre.
The Burkes are locally very a facet of their business—from helping their clients to choose the perfect colours and making the painting process easy. Amanda can take care of service. They have established The Hope Centre — an emergency shelter in Welland for men, women and children.
Amanda has completed a number of product training seminars with Shade-O-Matic and has attended several night courses in interior design at Sheridan College and Tim has attended a number of product training seminars with Shade-O-Matic and has attended several night courses."

Alykhan is Owner and Pharmacist at the Rexall / Shoppers Drug Mart Gunning Square Plaza, where he's responsible for managing a team of more than 40 employees and co-workers—taking care of staff and his exceptional patients since 2008. Alykhan’s employees say he consistently goes the extra mile to give back to customers. In under one year, he expanded the store from its former retail footprint to a 16,000 square foot timeline and a full-service postal outlet. Alykhan has earned several recognitions including the Pharmacy Association of Ontario Manager of the Year and the Chambers of Commerce Awards for Favourite Pharmacy.

Ashley is an Associate at the David Hurren Law Office. Since completing her law degree in 2007, Ashley has been incredibly successful, representing countless clients in family, criminal and civil proceedings, and being made a company partner in 2013. She’s also seen her firm increase its staff and launch a satellite law office in St. Catharines. In 2011, Ashley was named Young Professional of the Year by the Fort Erie Chamber of Commerce. Ashley works with several charities and law organizations, acting as President of the Fort Erie Co-operative Preschool, and providing pro-bono legal services to the Alivia’s Rainbows Foundation.

Chris is Managing Partner of Graves Richard Harris LLP in St. Catharines—the largest personal injury firm in the Niagara Region. Here, he’s responsible for the firm’s 25 members, and managing the company’s marketing. Becoming Managing Partner in 2006 at the age of 29, Chris has seen sales increase every year at his firm, and relocated to a larger expanded office. He’s also launched a second office in Kitchener. Chris is passionate about giving back to his community, attending various charitable events, and sits on various committees like the Executive Board of the Thorold Legion Junior Baseball.

Corrina is Events & Marketing Coordinator at the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce where she manages the Chamber’s profile through advertising, website, special event, and media relations. As a proud member of the Chamber’s senior team, Corrina has been instrumental in establishing the Chamber as an influential new resource to the local business community. In 2012, she became Team Lead of the Chamber’s first business council—Women in Niagara. Corrina supports a number of great causes locally and nationally including the United Way, the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake and the CIBC Run for the Cure.

Adam and Diana Sneek, co-owners of The Mill Greenhouses in Port Colborne, transformed a former greenhouse site into a successful full-scale operation specializing in annuals, perennials and vegetable plants. Now in their sixth year, their business continues to grow, with sales rising more than 25% in the past year. They also run a Garden Centre and expand their offerings through Ontario’s Micro-Fit Program. Regularly voted Best Greenhouse, they actively support local charities, events and community initiatives.

Ernie is Owner, Director and Lead Chiropractor of NWI Health & Rehab Centre. He is responsible for overseeing the entire clinic and managing the clinic’s growth and services. Over the past two years, the clinic’s success has continued, increasing its revenue and improving patient care. Ernie has also invested in building diagnostic and physiotherapy rooms, massage therapy and a traction unit. Ernie is a passionate advocate and major contributor to charities such as the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the United Way and the St. John Ambulance. Here he’s an active volunteer and board member.

Joel is the Owner and Operator of JHannigan Photography. Self-employed since 2007, Joel has been incredibly successful since going full-time, seeing over 150% sales growth over the past three years. In the last several years, Joel’s business has expanded dramatically while adding new services and growing into a substantial employer. Joel is passionate about learning more effective photography and business leadership, and has continued to attend classes at Niagara College. Joel is active in community service, supporting several local charities including the Southridge Shelter and Coats for Kids.

Kate is Assistant Director of Operations at Stolk Construction where she's responsible for a variety of areas including marketing, human resources and staff training and development. Having previously managed the Enterprise Rent-A-Car locations and achieved exceptional sales, Kate joined the Stolk team in 2011 and has helped rebrand Stolk and develop a new estimating division. On a personal note, Kate enjoys participating in several events around the Niagara area, a great deal to her including the Rankin Cancer Run and Community Care, and often spends time with Alzheimer patients through the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region.

As Economic Development Officer at St. Catharines Economic Development, Marco is committed to making St. Catharines and the Niagara Region a better place to live and work. Promoted three times within his organization, Marco has been a driving force in generating economic development for St. Catharines / Niagara for the past 11 years. He’s also helped to forge strong relationships between the city departments and the development community. A passionate supporter of the Niagara community, Marco often volunteers with the Niagara Immigrant Connections Initiative and the Ontario Soccer Association. Marco has also participated in a number of committees through his work.

Michael is a multi-talented young professional with a proven track record of success. As a partner at Kemp Financial Group, Michael currently serves a customer base of over 1,500 clients. Michael has won a number of prestigious industry awards. In 2011, he qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table—an organization that recognizes the top 3% of financial advisors in the world. He was also named one of the top 5 new advisors in Canada. A tireless supporter of his community, his work extends with many local organizations including For The Needy Not The Greedy and the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

As Owner and Medical Aesthetician of La Cascada Day Spa, Nicole has been a real leader in the Niagara business community. Launching her full-service spa and wellness centre in 2007, Nicole has managed to grow her business, hire new employees and bring more women in her home to get treatments for support. She has built a loyal base of clients from different walks of life and works hard offering many treatments and services. She has obtained certification in areas including hot stone massage, reflexology and aromatherapy. Nicole is currently active with the St. John’s Ambulance Dog Therapy Program.

Richie is Winemaker at Fielding Estate Winery, where he is dedicated to overseeing the entire winemaking process—whether it’s working with their staff to manage their vineyards or working closely with their sales team to grow the Fielding brand. Due to his commitment to excellence, Richie has helped Fielding win many recognitions including 14 medals at the Canadian Wine Awards and 10 medals at the Intervin International Wine Awards in 2012. Richie is constantly upgrading his skills, taking many industry courses and seminars throughout North America. He also has a deep passion for the community, organizing and participating in numerous events and wine tastings.

Steve is the Manager of the Generator at One—Niagara’s largest interactive digital media facility. Since joining One in management as a casual driver, Crispin has been promoted two years, he has helped lead new portfolio community at The Generator at One facility, creating a globally connected hub for creative professionals. Steve helps his team to stay on top of industry changes, and organizes several seminars and community groups offering his shared insight and experiences. Steve also raises thousands of dollars for local charities.