2004 ALUMNI RECIPIENTS

Donna-Lee Brayton, 38

Biggest achievement: The biggest achievement of my career was securing access and marketing contracts between major property management companies and Rogers Cable at a time when our industry was facing stiff competition for the first time from new entrants. Five years later, the competition has had little success in the Ottawa market.

Best skill: Perseverance. It's an attribute I've had all my life, just ask my parents. I strive for challenges and, if roadblocks are in my way, I find a route over, under, around or through them.

Most admired businessperson: Carol Ring, Rogers' vice-president and general manager. Carol gives those who report to her the freedom and flexibility to make their own decisions and always stands behind the members of her team.

Biggest business lesson learned: As the world spins faster each day, everyone is extremely busy trying to juggle professional and personal lives. Respecting your employees' responsibilities and lives would be the most important business lesson I have learned. When people are at work, they are hoping all is well on the home front. When they are home, they are often thinking about work. Understanding and relating to these situations ultimately helps employees decrease their stress and makes them more productive. As an employer, the respect you will get in return is tenfold. If employees respect you, then they will be more willing to go that extra mile.

Favourite charity: The Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre and the Ottawa Rotary Home are my two favorite charities.

Professional recognition that would mean the most: To be chosen as a mentor and have the opportunity to help young men and women map out their career paths in the field of telecommunications.