Members of the Chamber

Happy International Women's Day!On this special episode of Members of the Chamber we're sitting down with Chris McMartin of The Scotiabank Women Initiative® – a program that breaks down barriers to help increase economic and professional opportunities for women to be successful now, and in the future.Keep listening to hear more about the tools and resources that are available to businesswomen across all industries and career stages, how Scotiabank is building an empowering and impactful community, and how you can get started.Learn more about The Scotiabank Women Initiative®:https://www.scotiabank.com/women-initiative/ca/en.htmlLearn more about the Oakville Chamber of Commerce:https://oakvillechamber.com

The Oakville Chamber of Commerce is excited to present this special episode of our Members of the Chamber podcast!In this episode, we're joined by Donald Guse Salah, Program Manager at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, to chat about the Discover Ability Network - a free online portal that helps employers connect directly with job seekers with disabilities.Listen in to hear Donald debunk some myths about hiring people with disabilities, tips for employers at every stage of the process, and why you should get started!LEARN MORE:Oakville Chamber of Commerce: www.oakvillechamber.comDiscover Ability Network: www.discoverability.network

 On this episode we're joined by Tim and Jon Root, the father-son duo behind two local business: Look Local and Treehouse Creative. Listen in to hear how they used their backgrounds and skillsets to dive into business as a team, and how they hustled to develop the new skills necessary to scale the business. 

On today's episode, we're joined by Kristin Courtney, and her children Melody & Aaron. Together, their family business is Access Abilities, a medical devices establishment with locations in Toronto and Oakville. Listen in to hear how their strong family bond, and sense of family values, have established Access Abilities as a staple in their community. 

On today's episode we're joined by mother-daughter duo Bianca Tino and Melissa Gaetani of Tino, Gaetani & Carusi Chartered Professional Accountants. Bianca started the firm 28 years ago, and Melissa joined the business 17 years later. As accountants, Bianca and Melissa help entrepreneurs with intergenerational transfers of business & wealth everyday. Carry on listening to hear their best advice, as well as their own experience working in a family business.

Today we're joined by Nancy Robertson and her children Andrew & Joanna Kadwell. Together, they make up Robertson Kadwell, a Real Estate business serving Oakville, Halton, Hamilton, Cambridge & Toronto.On this episode we cover a few different perspectives of a family business, including starting your own business & bringing in your family, joining a business that was started by your parent, and achieving career goals while working in the family business.

This season we're focusing on family business, and today's episode offers a pretty unique perspective, as we sit down with Neil Cawse who is the Founder & CEO of Geotab Inc. Geotab is the largest telematics company in the world, with over 2000 employees, and it all began in the family's basement at the start of the millenium. Keep listening for some great advice from Neil about how to successfully work with family as the business starts to scale.

On this episode we sit down with Jennifer Watson, of Watson Investments to hear about her experience growing up around the family business, and how she decided that joining it was the right choice for her.If you're thinking about joining the family business, you definitely don't want to miss this episode!

On this episode we are joined by Mike White and Jamie Mowat, a father-son duo from WINMAR Mississauga/Oakville. They have some great advice to share on addressing conflicts, succession planning, and they also discuss how the process of succession has been a really important milestone in both of their lives. 

Welcome back to Members of the Chamber! We have a brand new season ready for you, all about family business. On this episode,  we're sitting down with Rob May from Sounds Good Smart Homes to learn more about his journey of starting a family business, and the process of getting it ready to pass down to his children one day. There is a LOT of good advice packed into this episode, so be sure to listen!

On this special episode of Members of the Chamber, we are celebrating International Women's Day! What better way to celebrate than to sit down with two influential women-in-business here in Oakville: Mary McPherson, CEO of Oakville Hospital Foundation and Trish Knox, Owner & President of TK Events. Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fueled by McCafé.Stay tuned for Season 3 coming this Spring 2022!

On season two, episode ten of Members of the Chamber, producer Kristen Curry re-caps the best advice heard from the guests this season with Thiara, the Oakville Chamber's co-op student. Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! The podcast is recorded at Staples Studio Oakville located at 320 North Service Road West. This episode is presented by Staples Studio Oakville.More Members of the Chamber is coming your way! Stay tuned for season three. Follow @MembersoftheChamber on Instagram for podcast updates!

On episode nine of season two, we are joined by Maria Robertson, renowned newborn consultant. Maria is the founder of The New Mummy Company, a leading Canadian business in services and products designed to meet the needs of mothers and their babies. On the podcast we discuss how she started her business, how she got connected to some VIP clients (hint: Game of Thrones), and what it meant to receive an Oakville Award for Business Excellence last year!Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! The podcast is recorded at Staples Studio Oakville located at 320 North Service Road West. This episode is presented by Staples Studio Oakville.

On episode eight of season two, we are joined by Aby Alameddine, Co-Founder of Core Online Marketing and Past Chair of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce.With a background in corporate finance, Aby is an entrepreneur that has continued to give back to Oakville through time on community-based boards and by offering mentorship to budding entrepreneurs.On the podcast we discuss Aby's entrepreneurial journey, managing the business during COVID-19, and how he became the Chamber's "go-to" debate moderator.Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! The podcast is recorded at Staples Studio Oakville located at 320 North Service Road West. This episode is presented by the the Magnet Student Work Placement Program.

On episode seven of season two, we are joined by Jennifer Kazmaier, who has retired by age 35.Jennifer is a Registered Nurse turned entrepreneur, the founder of CalaCare, which provided innovative home health care services that made staying in the comfort of your own home a realistic and sustainable solution.Jennifer just reached another career milestone by being able to retire at 35 years of age.On the podcast, we discuss her entrepreneurial journey, how she was able to retire at 35 years of age, and what's next.Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! The podcast is recorded at Staples Studio Oakville located at 320 North Service Road West. This episode is presented by the Discover Ability Network.

On episode six of season two, we are joined by Dave Oswald, Investigations Specialist at Forensic Restitution.Dave is a trained Chartered Accountant with a passion for uncovering fraud or error.His global, multi-national experience spans over 20 years, having led investigations in high-level C-Suite executive cases with success. Dave has extensive experience in Data Preservation and Review, Computer Forensics, Data Analytics and General Fraud Reviews.On the podcast we discuss fraud, Dave's experience testifying in Federal Court as an expert witness, and interviewing fraud suspects and witnesses.  Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! The podcast is recorded at Staples Studio Oakville located at 320 North Service Road West. This episode is presented by the Discover Ability Network.

On episode five of season two, we are joined by Wendy Donnan, Co-Founder of the Oakville Festivals of Film & Art (OFFA).  Wendy worked in broadcasting and television for 25 + years (TVOntario, TWN, OUTtv) in various management and programming positions before venturing out for her own productions. Wendy is also a part-time professor, currently teaching at Sheridan College and York University.On the podcast, we discuss Wendy's experience in the broadcasting and TV industry, being a professor, and taking OFFA virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! The podcast is recorded at Staples Studio Oakville located at 320 North Service Road West. This episode is presented by the Discover Ability Network.

On episode four of season two, we are joined by Andrew Esemezie, the Franchise Owner of Second Cup Coffee Company on Lakeshore Road in Downtown Oakville. Andrew is a Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP) with 16+ years of extensive global experience leading enterprise Customer experience strategies. Prior to delving to the entrepreneurial world, Andrew's last role was Director of Customer Experience in a Multinational Phone Company. On the podcast, we discuss Andrew's experience in the corporate world, as a franchise owner, and his experience as an entrepreneur and realtor.Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! The podcast is recorded at Staples Studio Oakville located at 320 North Service Road West. This episode is presented by Staples Studio Oakville.

On episode three of season two, we are joined by Wendy Rinella, Chief Executive Officer of the Oakville Community Foundation.  The Foundation is Oakville's largest charitable asset of +$100 million supporting local charities and community-wide programs through turnkey foundation infrastructure for business and family philanthropists. Wendy's career is also marked by her passion for community building serving on the boards of 15 organizations including Chair of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce.On the podcast, we discuss Wendy's 25+ year career which has spanned the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! The podcast is recorded at Staples Studio Oakville located at 320 North Service Road West. This episode is presented by Staples Studio Oakville.

On the second episode of season two, we are joined by Don Pangman. Don is the Founder of ArtHouse, a Halton based charitable organization which provides FREE Arts programs for vulnerable children and youth.Celebrating its 11th Anniversary in June 2020, ArtHouse has served over 9,000 young people with 634 programs at 90 safe and accessible locations throughout Halton. On the podcast, we discuss  Don's professional career, which includes 30 years on Bay Street and over the last 20 years he has been involved in the charitable sector as a fundraiser and consultant.Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! The podcast is recorded at Staples Studio Oakville located at 320 North Service Road West. This episode is presented by the Hynek Financial Group and the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan.

Members of the Chamber has returned for a second season! On the first episode of season two we are joined by Nancy Fornasiero, who is the Founder and Community Director at ACE Coworking in Downtown Oakville. Nancy is an author, journalist, ghostwriter, and editor. She has worked as a self-employed publishing consultant for over 20 years. Prior to that, Nancy was a high-school teacher. On the podcast, we discuss Nancy's career path, her experience as an author and ghostwriter, and how she launched into entrepreneurship on a totally different scale, founding ACE Coworking.  Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! The podcast is recorded at Staples Studio Oakville located at 320 North Service Road West. This episode is presented by the Hynek Financial Group and the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan.

On episode ten of Members of the Chamber, host Drew Redden and producer Kristen Curry re-cap the best advice heard from the guests on Season One. This episode was recorded virtually due to COVID-19. Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! Stay tuned for Season Two! Follow @MembersoftheChamber on Instagram for podcast updates and a look behind the scenes!

On episode nine of Members of the Chamber we are joined by Graham Hill, who is the Executive Director of Food for Life, the leading food rescue and sharing charity serving Halton and Hamilton.  With more than 20 years in the social profit sector, Graham has been a champion of positive change in society and has a strong passion for not letting good, fresh, healthy food go to waste.Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! Episode nine of the podcast is presented by The Chamber Plan and Hynek Financial Group.

On episode eight of Members of the Chamber we are joined by Kerry Colborne who is the Managing Director of Force 10 Capital Management Inc. She spent the first 20 years of her career working in ag related companies – a career that took her all over the world.  Kerry later joined the Business Development Bank of Canada, which strongly positioned her to succeed with her venture in Force 10 Capital which began in 2010. She is no stranger to the Oakville Chamber, serving two terms as Chair of the Board from 2015 – 2017 and currently leads the judging panel for the prestigious Oakville Awards for Business Excellence. Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! Episode eight of the podcast is presented by Zarr Tech.

On episode seven of Members of the Chamber we are joined by Matthew James who is a Sales Representative for Cameron's Brewing Company. Matthew began his career as a reporter and photographer for the Haliburton County Echo and Minden Times community newspapers. It wasn't long before Matthew shifted lanes and began working in Ontario's growing Alcohol Industry. On the podcast we discuss print journalism, community support, and of course - beer!Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! Episode seven of the podcast is presented by Zarr Tech.

On episode six of Members of the Chamber we are joined by Mary McPherson who is the CEO of the Oakville Hospital Foundation. Mary is an award-winning fundraiser with 20+ years of experience in the charitable giving sector. On the podcast we discuss how one carves out a successful career in fundraising, what it is like raising money in Oakville and how technology is disrupting the charitable giving sector. Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! Episode six of the podcast is presented by Watson Investments.

On episode five of Members of the Chamber we are joined by Doug Sams who is the Executive Director of the Kerr Village Business Improvement Area.  Doug ended up at the Kerr Village BIA after a long career coaching football at the US Collegiate level and in the Canadian Football League.  On the podcast we find out where he keeps his Grey Cup ring, try and get the inside scoop on this year's Kerrfest lineup and discuss the past, present, and future of Kerr Village. Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! Episode five of the podcast is presented by Watson Investments.

On episode four of Members of the Chamber we are joined by Jennifer Watson of Watson Investments.  Jennifer talks about her experience joining the family business, finding that family/work/life balance and the massive undertaking of rebranding your business.  Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! Episode four of the podcast is presented by the Hynek Financial Group and the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan.

On episode three of Members of the Chamber we are joined by Karl Wulf. Early in his real estate career, we talk to Karl about how he has found success starting out, things to consider when buying or selling a home and his frequent appearances on home renovation shows. Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! Episode three of the podcast is presented by the UPS Savings Program.

On episode two of Members of the Chamber we are joined by Joni Lien. Joni is an award-winning entrepreneur and SupperWorks Founder & Franchisor. On the podcast we learn about Joni's transition from working in adult corrections to starting a business from scratch, how to remain competitive in an ever-changing food industry and why it is so important to celebrate your own successes.  Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! Episode two of the podcast is presented by the Esso Gas Card Program.

On the very first episode of Members of the Chamber we are joined by Tim Caddigan who is serving his second term as Chair of the Board at the Oakville Chamber.  In his day job, Tim is the Senior Director, Programing & Community Relations at Cogeco.  On the podcast we discuss Tim's journey in the corporate word, what it is like to interview Premiers, Cabinet Ministers and Business Leader's from the Chamber stage and even touch on his past experience as an Actor!  Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé! Episode one of the podcast is presented by the Hynek Financial Group and the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan.