2007 RECIPIENT PROFILE

Dinesh Kandanchatha, 31

Education: Bachelor of Arts, University of Ottawa (1997); Masters of Business Administration, University of Ottawa (2001)

Personal Success Story: My biggest success so far has been centered around people. It was a huge challenge to come into an underperforming sales organization and turn it around in the midst of a fundamental organizational culture change. I was able to do so by retaining the best and brightest minds all the while growing the revenue of the business.

Lesson Learned: Do the right thing. It’s almost always harder than your other options, requires personal sacrifice, and will often not gain you any friends, but it will allow you to look at yourself in the mirror every morning and smile.

Character Traits: Best: A focused passion for everything I do. Worst: Doing too much at once and not taking the time to slow down so others can keep pace.

Inspiration: The great people I am working for, with and around; they are people whom I respect and who share my passion. Without great people why would you bother?

Greatest professional challenge: Being newly married, doing my EMBA while running the sales organization of a technology startup going through an acquisition and IPO.

Someone else for a day: Abraham Lincoln. He was a man who persevered, did what was right even when it was difficult, was imperfect and struggled with his imperfections, was humble in victory, and resolute in defeat.