2004 ALUMNI RECIPIENTS

Michaela Tokarski, 27

Biggest achievement: In my former role as COO, I created many of our internal systems. I am most proud of our inventory management system, designed on a five-hour plane ride, implemented over a weekend and, even after three years of tremendous growth, a solid system we still use.

Best skill: Persistence.

Most admired businessperson: Business partner and brother Roger Hardy for his vision. I don't try to emulate it, I am usually in awe of it.

Biggest business lesson learned: There are two quotes above my desk to remind me of the most important lesson I've learned: Mario Andretti, "If it seems like you've got everything under control, you're just not going fast enough" and General Patton, "A good plan, violently executed now is better than a perfect plan next week." The engineer in me likes to analyse challenges from every angle, but the businessperson in me knows that I had better keep moving if I want to continually offer our customers more value than our competition.

Favourite charity: CHEO Foundation.

Professional recognition that would mean the most: Being elected president of YEO Ottawa.