Room For Thought Winners

As YMC continues to grow, I expect the number of opportunities to connect and empower other amazing people will also grow. I'm motivated by watching individuals who have a dream make it happen. I'm drawn to programs which help individuals with big dreams realize their potential.

I've been watching the American Express Canada Room for Thought program evolve. In the summer there was a call out for inspired individuals to present a concept for an idea they've always wanted to turn into a reality. Three winners would be chosen to bring their idea to life, each with well connected mentors by their sides to provide them with financial and creative advice, networking and perspective.

After an extensive review and voting process, the winners have just been announced on their American Express Canada Facebook Page!

Andrew Huang, from Toronto ON, will be working with Emily Haines, lead singer of Metric, to create an installation called Ghost II that will allow members of the public to interact with music through technology and a variety of instruments.

Lisa Shanker, from Thornhill, ON, will be working with Marc and Craig Kielburger of Free the Children, to create a Survivor Garden for people recovering from cancer and other serious illnesses.

Evan Malach, from Toronto ON, will be working with Survivorman Les Stroud to give underprivileged youth the chance to travel the world to bring his idea, Second Chance Travel Co-op, to life.

So, you're thinking - great for them, but how does this apply to me?

We're all invited to watch Room for Thought come to life from November 8th to the 22nd at the Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts in Toronto where each of the three winners' ideas will be showcased in an experiential manner. For those of you with an entrepreneurial spirit like me, it will be very interesting to see how these winners manage to pull together and present a lifelong dream.

I'm wondering if the winners are already starting to freak out? They have approximately one month to make it happen, albeit with the help of their talented mentors, to create a memorable experience for us. I'd be a basket case!

It's one thing to have a really awesome idea - and a totally different skill set to make it happen. It will be interesting to see who can really walk the walk with the tools American Express is giving them! See you there?

This blog is proudly sponsored by our friends at
American Express Canada

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