Turning struggles into successes through determination

Leadership and Government
Written By Stuart McNish

Guest: Ellis Ross (MLA of Skeena, former Haisla First Nation Chief Councillor)

Ellis Ross is shaking things up these days. He’s focused on attracting opportunity to the riding he represents in the BC Legislature. That is work that compounds and adds to the same focus he brought to his role of Chief Councillor of the Haisla First Nation.

Ross says his journey forward was propelled out of necessity. First, he wanted to ensure he was healthy and educated. Next, he wanted to participate in the well-being of his community, physically, psychologically and financially. That led him into local politics, which led to a career in provincial politics.

In this episode of Careers That Matter, Ellis Ross takes us inside his career – a career that is making a difference.

Watch more episodes
Helping businesses understand their political communities
Helping businesses understand their political communities

“You can’t be a good political strategist if you don’t understand the community of voters around you,” Kareem Allam claims. That is how he gets his work in an increasingly complex political landscape. This includes both ideas and how to get those ideas out, whether it be via new forms of media or the rise of technology. His clients are all from the private sector who want to gain social and regulatory license, so that the projects go forward the right way.

Read More →
Producing works of value and building relationships
Producing works of value and building relationships

For Christy Smith’s role in indigenous engagement in environmental consulting, fieldwork is what makes her thrive. She loves going out into the community to build relationships and understanding the nuances of each community. This is a far cry from her dreams of being an artist, which were put on hold after she became a mother; she realized that she wanted to produce a work of value for her child’s future. This led her down a path of self-discovery, both personally and professionally.

Read More →
Keeping dangerous drugs away from youth
Keeping dangerous drugs away from youth

The margin of error of drug abuse is narrowing, according to Chantal Vallerand. And that is how she remains passionate about her role as leader of Drug Free Kids Canada. It drives her forward every day, allowing her to seek out potential funders and supporters, explaining to them the importance of the mission to keep dangerous drugs away from youth.

Read More →
Being the face of a political party
Being the face of a political party

“You’re always the face of the party – that’s just a reality.” As leader of the British Columbia Conservative Party, going to new places and showing up is a large part of John Rustad’s job. That is nothing new to him, as someone who grew up in Prince George and having jobs that took him all over the province with all kinds of different experiences. As someone who takes all kinds of opportunities, this worked perfectly into his journey into business and, eventually, politics.

Read More →
Stuart McNish
Previous

Having the magic touch to develop industrial properties
Next

Helping others lead healthier and more active lives