It was the late, beloved CEO and visionary Herb Kelleher that said of entrepreneurs, “You must be very patient, very persistent. The world isn’t going to shower gold coins on you just because you have a good idea. You’re going to have to work like crazy to bring that idea to the attention of people.” That is exactly the tenacity, drive and focus shown by this year’s Leaders. Each is a standout in their field and was selected as a Leader for their success in business, creating outstanding workplace cultures and giving back to the community while inspiring the next generation.
It takes a formidable resolve to launch, grow and run a business on any given day – it takes even more to do so in a post pandemic landscape. While the closures are over and the distancing is a thing of the past, the fallout remains.
According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) 2022 Business Barometer®, “There’s been a slight ease on small businesses but many challenges, including inflation and labour shortages, are still holding many firms back. Skilled labour and input shortages continue to limit business growth. Additionally, fuel and energy costs, wage costs and insurance costs were the top cost constraints for small businesses in September.”
Labour shortages, shipping delays, gaps in access to raw materials – these are all challenges every one of our Leaders has faced and overcome. Some relied on strong networks built over time. Some pivoted and created new strategies and solutions. Some offered new products and services to meet changing demands. All rose to the challenge with grace, leadership and that signature Edmonton entrepreneurial spirit.
Business in Edmonton magazine sponsors and highlights the Leaders event; however, the winners are selected by an independent panel that assesses each nominee across a broad spectrum of criteria. The judges returning for Leaders 2022 are: Dustin Sundby, MNP, managing partner-Edmonton region; Dennis Sheppard, NAIT, dean, JR Shaw School of Business; and Shawn Mevel, ATB Financial, director, sales, business and agriculture.
Each judge helped select among the nominees for Leaders that espouse the following qualities: a focus on their team and on the community, optimistic opportunity seekers that look forward instead of back, curious minds with a can-do attitude, those resilient and adaptive in the face of change and those that bring empathy and understanding to every interaction.
A repeat judge for several years, Mevel has perfectly summed up what makes a Leader, “Edmonton is full of people with ideas and drive, but it is also a city of mentors. Successful people in Edmonton are willing to give their time and experience to others to give a hand up.”
Congratulations to this year’s Leaders and to all the nominees. Edmonton thrives thanks to their business leadership. As the world keeps turning and changing, it is those that take charge in the interest of their city, teams and communities that deserve to be thanked – and recognized.
Click here to read more about this years Leaders.