EY celebrates gravity-defying entrepreneurs at annual awards gala
TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2014 /CNW/ - Linda Hasenfratz, Chief Executive Officer of Linamar Corporation — a diversified global manufacturing company of highly engineered products powering vehicles, motion and lives — is this year's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ontario winner.
Linda's vision took root from the shop floor as a machine operator and developed into a dynamic growth strategy in 2002 when she took the helm as CEO. Since that time, the company's sales have more than quadrupled. She's also grown their global employee base to over 18,000.
"Gravity-defying entrepreneurs like Linda continue to reach beyond the status quo for new heights," says Colleen McMorrow, Entrepreneur Of The Year National and Ontario Program Director. "Her passion and determination to seek new opportunities and develop innovative products and services used globally is an inspiration."
Under Linda's leadership, Linamar is setting a new standard for green technologies. Today, the company is focused on developing products that are more fuel efficient and drive lower emissions while, at the same time, address current and future market demands. They're setting a new global benchmark.
EY partnered with the World Economic Forum on a recent report, The Bold Ones: high-impact entrepreneurs who transform industries, to uncover the qualities that define high-impact entrepreneurs. The report found that high-impact entrepreneurs not only disrupt industry through innovative products and services. They also make a measurable difference on society.
"Green technologies aren't the only way Linda and Linamar are making a difference," says McMorrow. "Community involvement is an important part of the dynamic corporate culture Linda has created."
The organization gives back to the community in a variety of ways, including supporting Guelph General Hospital, St. Joseph's Health Centre, United Way, the University of Guelph and Skills Canada (Ontario).
"We're thrilled to recognize Linda's entrepreneurial journey can't wait to see where she takes the Linamar next. After all, entrepreneurs like Linda make the impossible, possible."
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates the contribution and spirit of entrepreneurs around the world. The Canadian program is in its 21st year of honouring the country's most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business. Award finalists are chosen based on their vision, leadership, financial success and social responsibility.
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ontario 2014 category award recipients:
Emerging Entrepreneur
Jay Klein
PÜR Gum | Toronto
pur-gum.com
An aspartame-free healthy alternative chewing gum. PÜR delivers the highest quality flavors and ingredients to consumers by using simple substitutions and eliminating chemical sweeteners
Energy and Cleantech
Emmie Leung
Emterra Group | Burlington
emterra.ca
A leader in waste resources management, collecting, recycling and marketing packaging, printed paper and scrap tires to convert waste liquids into green products.
Food and Hospitality
Joel Flatt, Todd Parsons
Give and Go Prepared Foods Corp. | Toronto
giveandgo.com
A privately owned manufacturer of quality frozen and thaw-and-sell baked goods, operating for over 20 years.
Health Sciences
Dr. Arun Menawat
NOVADAQ Technologies | Mississauga
novadaq.com
Develops and markets clinically relevant imaging solutions for open and minimally invasive surgical and outpatient procedures that have been shown to improve patient outcomes and reduce health care costs.
Manufacturing
Linda Hasenfratz
Linamar Corporation | Guelph
linamar.com
A diversified global manufacturing company of highly engineered products powering vehicles, motion and lives.
Media and Technology
Leerom Segal
Klick Health | Toronto
klick.com
The world's largest independent health agency, laser focused on creating solutions that engage and educate health care providers about life-saving treatments.
Real Estate
Michael Cooper
Dream Unlimited Corp.| Toronto
dream.ca
A real estate investment, management and development company whose purpose is to build better communities to live in and work in.
Services
Edward Kholodenko
Questrade Financial Group Inc. | Toronto
questrade.com
An online brokerage, providing clients with direct-access trading in the US and Canadian stock and options markets through its IQ trading platforms, as well as Forex and CFD trading.
Young Entrepreneur
Devon Galloway, Michael Litt
Vidyard | Kitchener
vidyard.com
Leading provider of video marketing, video analytics and video management solutions that help small businesses, large enterprises and Fortune 1000 companies maximize the impact of online video.
Special Citation — Social Entrepreneur
Social entrepreneur is a unique special citation awarded to an entrepreneur whose achievements have driven large-scale social change and improved people's lives or quality of life.
Tim Jones
Artscape | Toronto
artscape.ca
A not-for-profit urban development organization that makes space for creativity and transforms communities.
What's next?
As the region's Ontario EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2014, Linda Hasenfratz will compete with top entrepreneurs from the Pacific, Prairies, Québec and Atlantic regions for the national honour of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Canada 2014, to be presented at a gala celebration on 25 November 2014 in Toronto. In June 2015, Canada's Entrepreneur Of The Year 2014 will move to the world stage to compete with more than 60 country recipients for the title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year.
For more information about our National EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards gala on 25 November 2014, please contact Julie Olden at 416 943 2062 or [email protected].
About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.
The 2014 Ontario judging panel consists of John Albright, Founder and Managing Partner, Relay Ventures; Mitch Green, Managing Director, Clairvest Group Inc.; Jon Hantho, Chief Executive Officer, Maxxam Analytics, Entrepreneur Of The Year Services category winner 2012, Ontario, National Entrepreneur Of The Year Special Citation recipient for Entrepreneurial Leadership; Tim Jackson, Senior Advisor, Capital Solutions, MaRS Centre for Impact Investing; Romeo Leemrijse, Vice President, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan; Stacey Mowbray; Jim Orlando, Managing Director, OMERS Ventures; and Tracie Tighe, Executive Producer, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
For more information on the program, FAQs and key dates, please visit ey.com/ca/EOY.
Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada: #EOYOntario.
This year's national program sponsors are National Post, TEC Canada, RDI, La Presse, Merrill DataSite, Kira Talent, Pandora Jewellery and The Printing House Limited. In Ontario, Entrepreneur Of The Year is sponsored by RBC Royal Bank, OT Communications, Air Canada, Bell and Karlo Estates Winery.
About EY's Strategic Growth Markets Network
EY's worldwide Strategic Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we've helped many of the world's most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early-stage venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business succeed.
For more information, please visit ey.com/ca/Entrepreneurs.
EY was recently named 2014 Professional Services Organization of the Year for Advancing Entrepreneurship by Startup Canada. The Startup Canada Awards celebrate and distinguish the individuals, communities and institutions in Canada that have demonstrated innovation, excellence, outstanding achievement and impact in advancing Canadian entrepreneurship.
About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
EY is proudly celebrating 150 years in Canada. For more information, please visit ey.com/ca. Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada.
EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
SOURCE: EY (Ernst & Young)
Erika Bennett, [email protected], 416 943 5497; Sarah Shields, [email protected], 604 648 3607; Julie Fournier, [email protected]; 514 874 4308
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