2008 ALUMNI RECIPIENTS

Kerri Brooks-Richard, 38

The Artistic Group; Co-Owner, Marketing and Business Development
The Artistic Group is a design and build company specializing in backyard transformations, swimming pools, residential construction and landscaping.

Education: Diploma in real estate and mortgage financing, Algonquin College (1990)

Biggest Business Achievement: Becoming admired and recognized nationally for our work and growing to a solid size with a retail storefront from very humble beginnings.

Biggest Business Obstacle: Our biggest obstacle to building our business was surviving our growth and overcoming unethical practices from powerful outside sources.

Biggest Lesson Learned: An affirmation that you can overcome adversity by doing the right thing and not compromising your ethics (and your true character comes out in the face of adversity). I believe that you aren't given what you can't handle and I have learned that I can handle quite a lot.

Three Words That Describe You: Passionate, integrity and optimistic.

Charitable Involvement: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. My kids and I are in the process of starting a new children's charity: Today's Kids - Tomorrow's Future

Biggest Influence: I have been fortunate to have many positive influences in my life, all of which have influenced who I am in the business world. My parents are a shining example of compassion, giving back to the community, and strong work ethic. In recent years, and during challenging circumstances, I gained strength from my mentors: Terry and Pat Scott.

First Job: There were many basic jobs, but my favourite was being a server at the Loch March Golf and Country Club

Favourite Pasttime: Painting or reading.

Favourite Travel Destination: Camping in provincial or state parks and Hawaii.

Favourite Book: The Saint, the Surfer and the CEO by Robin Sharma

Favourite Movie: Gandhi and Cinderella Man