Community Worker
Graduation Year: 2004
At Sheridan, for the first time in my academic life, I was surrounded by people who thought and felt the same way that I did. I learned that with the right group of people, you can channel positive energy into achieving great things.
I am a Specialist in the Community Investment division of the Hudson’s Bay Company (Hbc). I help organize the annual Hbc Golf Tournament & Spa and other charitable initiatives for the company. The Golf Tournament raises over $500,000 each year for Canadian athletes, including those participating in the Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games. Held at four ClubLink golf clubs in the Halton Region, the event has over 1,000 participants, making it the largest corporate tournament of its kind in the country.
I rejoined Hbc in January 2010, after having worked for the company from 2006 to 2009 as a Coordinator in the Community Investment division. In 2006, I was involved in my first Hbc corporate Golf Tournament, which was very memorable since there was a lot to learn and execute in a relatively short time. The thrill I felt from seeing it come together is something I will never forget.
I also worked on national marketing campaigns, contests and in-store activities for Zellers. In 2009, I moved to TrojanOne, a marketing agency, where I managed a national tour for ParticipACTION and Sun Life that visited 31 communities across the country asking Canadians to share their stories about getting active.
My interest in the non-profit sector was piqued following experiences with various charities during and after high school. I realized that I had a passion for working with others towards a noble cause. The Community Worker program at Sheridan was one of the few programs that offered courses geared to working specifically in the non-profit sector. I still use the skills I developed in fundraising, non-profit and volunteer management every day.
Although it’s cliché, I recommend that every student take time to make the most of each moment at Sheridan. The foundation you build during your time at Sheridan will carry through into the rest of your professional and/or academic life, no matter where your career takes you.
David Mader is a past recipient of Sheridan’s J.D. Atkinson Award for outstanding achievement. He is also a Junior Civitan International Honour Key Recipient, a Civitan International Foundation Junior Fellow and a Junior Civitan International Distinguished Governor.