" The best way to predict the future is to create it"- Peter Drucker

Cindy is currently the Youth Entrepreneurship advisor for Community Futures Development Corporations across Northern Ontario. Cindy is a certified Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development Facilitator, and holds certification in Small Business Counselling and is Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® qualified.

With a passion for youth entrepreneurship, she coordinates the youth entrepreneurship outreach efforts of thirteen Community Futures Development Corporations in Northern Ontario. Cindy and her team share a common goal of promoting entrepreneurship as a viable career option to youth.

Cindy serves as a member of the Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations Youth Committee, and is Co-Chair of the municipal youth economic development committee in her hometown of Kapuskasing.

Cindy is married and has two children, Shannon and Sheldon, both teachers. Sheldon is also the owner of his own small business, PowerPlay Sports Camp.

" Only those who risk going too far can find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot

NECO Community Futures Development Corporation
Jennifer Cartwright is the Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative Coordinator for Northern Ontario. Jennifer is a teacher who has many years of teaching experience (both locally and internationally) and experience in working with youth in the community. Jennifer has her Master’s of Education degree in Organizational Studies and Leadership from the University of Ottawa. She believes in the importance of promoting youth entrepreneurship to encourage student creativity and as a viable career option for the future.

Jennifer loves the thought, innovation and excitement that youth display towards entrepreneurship, and is excited to be able to bring entrepreneurship education and curriculum to students across Northern Ontario. Jennifer strongly believes in the importance of goal setting, in being passionate about your work and in striving to make the world a better place, all while following your dreams. Her love of entrepreneurship, calculated risk taking and leadership are what led her to work with us!

“Fais de ta vie un rêve, et d'un rêve une réalité.”-- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Samantha Losier holds a bachelor of business administration and is passionate about entrepreneurship initiation and education. When she is not grooming today’s youth for their future role as titans of business she tends to her own small business – Dubosq Guitars(shameless self promotion) where she oversees all things marketing, media and public relations... In short, she is the Ambassador of Buzz.

For me, working with youth is completely mind boggling. They never cease to amaze and enlighten with their unparalleled imagination and ability to push the boundaries of what we consider “possible.”

I am a lover of all things vintage and handmade, the book of awesome, long weekends, knitting, sushi, the glad game and of course my daughter Zoé.

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe" by Anotole France

Sue St Jules is currently a Youth Entrepreneurship Coordinator for Northern Ontario. She is certified in Ontario Business Management and has over 20 years in business management . Sue holds a diploma in development services and has experience as an educational assistant in the school system and in working with youth through many community organizations.

Having grown up in the operation of family businesses, Sue is passionate about small business and the development and betterment of our communities. Through her experiences and the many programs offered by the Northern Youth Entrepreneurship Initiatives she is thrilled to be working with youth in providing opportunities for them to discover the world of business and to open their eyes to business opportunities in the North.

Having lived in a small Northern community all her life and having raised three grown daughters in Blind River, Sue recognizes the importance of instilling an entrepreneurial spirit in today’s youth with the hope that they will invest in Northern Ontario in the future.

“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” ― Winston Churchill”

Lauren Korpela is currently a youth entrepreneurship coordinator for Northeastern Ontario. She was born and raised in Timmins, Ontario and moved to our nation’s capital at the age of 18 to pursue her studies in Psychology and Communications at the University of Ottawa. Now recently graduated, Lauren decided to return to her northern roots to start her career and gain new experiences and challenges. She has always loved the northern life going out in the bush, hiking, fishing, four wheeling, snowmobiling, hunting, swimming… pretty much whatever mother nature and Kawasaki has to offer! She is excited about this new position because she loves working with children and passionate about helping youth achieve their dreams and giving them an opportunity to develop their ideas and creativity.

"I am very excited to be in Timmins again and be able to give back to my community. It is important for youth to think about entrepreneurship as a viable career option. It gives them an opportunity to work for themselves and pursue their dreams and also helps strengthens our communities!"

"Don’t judge each day by the harvest that you reap, but by the seeds that you plant." – Robert Louis Stevenson

Travis McArthur is currently a Youth Entrepreneurship Program Intern at the Superior North Community Futures Development Corporation, based in Terrace Bay but servicing communities from Dorion to Manitouwadge

Born and raised in Terrace Bay, Travis understands the small town atmosphere and is looking forward to building a strong core of young entrepreneurs in the area. By introducing entrepreneurship as a viable career option, he hopes to foster innovation in youth and usher in a new wave of young entrepreneurs. He believes that small businesses are the heart of many Northern Ontario communities, and that the promotion of entrepreneurship will help these communities grow and prosper in the future.

Travis attended Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, graduating with a three-year Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and political science. He enjoys reading, watching hockey (Go Leafs Go), and spending time outdoors. He is looking forward to spreading the entrepreneurial spirit to youth in the region.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Alannah Deline is a youth entrepreneur coordinator in the Lacloche Manitoulin Region. She grew up in Espanola, Ontario and is glad to be helping her local community grow. Alannah has an honours degree in Studio Art from the University of Guelph and her Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University. Alannah has worked with youth in various jobs as a tutor, a park leader, a teacher and a safety coordinator through a school bus company. Alannah looks forward to working with youth and inspiring them to think creatively and innovatively and helping them see the opportunities and beauty in the local area.

I love being around youth of all ages, they view the world so differently and remind us to live in the moment. They get excited about the little things that we forget about and remind us how wonderful our world truly is.

I love to spend time outdoors, especially near water; I love to be around family and friends; I love creating new things; I love taking new adventures and I especially love my dog Sasha.

“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” by Leonardo da Vinci

Jessica Saindon is currently a youth entrepreneurship coordinator for Northwestern Ontario. She grew up in Geraldton Ontario, situated in the heart of the Greenstone region. She holds a diploma from Niagara College in Hotel and Restaurant Management, and has extensive experience in various customer service roles in several countries. She spent almost 2 years travelling and working in Australia and New Zealand. She considers herself a bit of a chameleon in her ability to adapt to new environments, jobs, and settings whether it be personal or professional. She also has a background in finance, having worked in the banking sector for several years in Calgary. Since returning from her adventures abroad, she has been back in Northern Ontario helping her parents with their small business, which she has found to be very rewarding.

In her spare time, she enjoys camping, fishing, swimming, reading, and relaxing at the cottage. She loves sunny days, beaches, road trips, bbqs and quality time spent with family and friends. She has a passion for travelling, meeting new people, and a never ending desire for adventure.

“Being back home has really given me a sense of pride in my community and surrounding areas. We come from such a beautiful part of the world, and I am excited for the opportunity to give something back to this great region. I’m enthusiastic about bringing forth the vast resources that are the minds of today’s youth and provide them the tools to generate the ideas of our future.”

“The surest way not to fail is to determine to succeed.” by Anotole Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Andrew Koch is currently a youth entrepreneurship program coordinator in Northwestern Ontario. Born and raised in Kenora, Ontario. Andrew pursed a degree in Recreation Management and Community Development from the University of Manitoba so he could stay close to his home roots. People that know Andrew would say this is the perfect job for him because he is a kid at heart.

When Andrew is not working he spends his time in the world of sports. As an active AAA midget hockey coach and regional scout for junior hockey, he spends most of his time at the rink.

“Growing up in Kenora I was given so much by family friends and the community I feel a need to give back to the community and it is a perfect way by educating the youth and showing them options that you can stay in northern Ontario and be successful.”