FEATURED Excellence Awardee

Yamaha Motor Canada Ltd.

“I had a picture of a house, and the house was Premiere Mortgage Centre”

Kerri Reed, Premiere Mortgage Centre

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Excellence Awardee: The Queen’s University IRC Award for Best Learning & Development Strategy

www.yamaha-motor.ca

https://www.linkedin.com/company/yamaha-motor-canada-ltd./

dealertraining@yamaha-motor.ca

416-498-1911

480 Gordon Baker Rd, Toronto, ON M2H 3B4

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Excellence Awardee: The Queen’s University IRC Award for Best Learning & Development Strategy

Yamaha Motor Canada Ltd.

facebook.com/EarthEquityAdvisors

@blackfishfinance

1188 Whakue St, Rotorua Central, Rotorua

@EarthEquityAdv

The Yamaha Motor Business Academy (YMBA) was created in 2025 serving one main purpose: to provide to the organization’s 225 employees engaging training to feel productive in the work they do. The four streams – SEED (Skill Enhancement & Employee Development) for individual contributors; GROW (Get ready for opportunities at work) for high potentials; LEAP (Lead, energize & accelerate performance) for managers and team leads; and LEAD (Leadership exploration and development) for Directors and Senior Directors – cater to employees at specific stages of employment. The idea is to help them develop and ultimately progress in their careers. Each stream is evaluated regularly and enhanced based on feedback from participants and skills gaps identified by executive leadership. With the YMBA Catalogue breaking down courses into self-directed learning, instructor-led learning, personal development, and the YMBA library, it’s designed for learners to choose a method that suits them best. Offerings are designed to support both technical and cultural development and include LinkedIn Learning learning paths, Harvard Business Review Coffee Talks, custom learning paths, instructor-led lunch ‘n learns, and a Japanese culture workshop as an homage to Yamaha global headquarters. The new LEAP Passport gamifies learning for people leaders by tracking completion of seven compulsory and six elective courses, similar to a high school transcript. It offers a tactile record of achievement, encourages flexibility in learning paths, and supports both company culture and leadership competencies. Again, there’s choice baked in: options range from instructor-led sessions to self-directed learning and peer engagement programs. Team One Yamaha Employee Onboarding communicates the bigger picture of the organizational structure and how divisions interact with each other. Launched in 2022, the program was well received. True to Yamaha’s commitment to constant evolution, the team improves each session based on participant surveys. The goal of YMBA is to remain agile – introducing programming to keep pace with the organization’s culture of learning. Soliciting feedback is key to improving and evolving YMBA – and the approach is working. Growing participation rates and an increase in “serial learners,” or individuals participating in multiple programs, show employees are making the most of YMBA’s offerings. Last year, participation rates hit 3.48 sessions per employee, a 232% increase. The team calls this data, and the genuine engagement it reflects, the highlight of YMBA’s success.

The Lakes College Culinary Club (TLCCC) started with a team of 12 students and has now expanded to over 30 members, showcasing its continued success through participation in college events and even catering for local community organisations. This program not only imparts valuable culinary skills but also teaches the significance of community service, fosters practical abilities and cultivates a professional work ethic. Spanning ages 11 to 18, the Culinary Club challenges students to create elaborate six-course degustation dinners and manage large-scale catering for college gatherings. Chloe, a Year 7 student, praises the program for imparting essential life skills in an enjoyable way among friends. Likewise, Emily values the connections she forms despite the program’s demanding pace. Under the guidance of Chef Joel, TLCCC contributes to the college’s ethos and the students’ personal growth. The program’s commitment to local ingredients and culinary adventures is evident as it expands to include barista training and Responsible Service of Alcohol certification. The program seamlessly merges science, art and food technology, promoting discipline and shared responsibility. TLCCC embodies a commitment to service, community engagement and student leadership, cementing its unique character and contribution to The Lakes College.

youtube.com/@canterburycollege-waterford

Hansen's Group of Companies

Chris is passionate about investing and employs a broad range of asset classes and sophisticated strategies, including alternatives. He acts as a personal CFO for his clients, helping grow their wealth and protect their legacy through tailored portfolio management. His expertise includes retirement and estate planning, risk management, insurance planning, and tax-advantaged investments. He is also an authority on situational tax planning strategies such as 1031 tax-deferred exchanges and qualified opportunity zones. A philanthropist, Chris founded the LIFT Foundation in 2013 and serves as its Executive Director. The non-profit supports families and children in high-risk situations and was recognized by Invest-In-Others as a Grant for Change recipient in 2022.

Hansen's Group of Companies

@blackfishfinance

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