I have the privilege of sharing with you today why Spirited Investors has taken a leadership role, as Title Sponsor in this fundraising event for Heartwood Place.

Spirited Investors highly values the characteristic, courage! Courage is THE great enabler. Courage encourages action, and enables positive change.

In 2001, Mary Bales and a group of local volunteers recognized a growing problem throughout our region – a lack of affordable housing. They could have done as most would do and hope that things would get better through someone else’s efforts, but they didn’t. They had Courage! They had a clear vision of a solution, that decent housing would serve as the foundation for people to improve their lives.

Acting with Courage, Mary Bales and volunteers created and incorporated a charitable entity, Heartwood Place; engaged individuals, organizations and partners to support their efforts; the result 33 units on Gaukel Street and an additional 66 units-in-progress at the new location, 26 Ainslie St. S. in Cambridge.

Describing success as “units” however really doesn’t tell the story. There has been a very positive consequence to improving the lives of the people supported by Heartwood Place. Those same people, Heartwood Place residents, have become empowered to further improve their own circumstances and the circumstances of others. They have embraced responsibility and job advancement ensuring a positive future for themselves, family members they support and the community as a whole. Truly a remarkable opportunity has come from the courage of a few dedicated individuals.

Spirited Investors Vision is to be the best problem-solving business investors in Canada. Much like Heartwood Place, our mission is to help people to a better place: solving problems, adding value and investing with precision.

We, at Spirited Investors are proud to recognize and support the efforts of Mary Bales, volunteers and staff at Heartwood Place and thank you for the opportunity to take a leadership role at this event.

For those of you who are not familiar with Spirited Investors please take a look at one of our brochures. If you are intrigued by our vision please contact us.

We at Spirited are very pleased to be aligned with Leadership Waterloo Region through sponsorship of this event and I thank each of you as community leaders for committing your time today to support this fine organization. Building community and creating space for leaders to establish and strengthen relationships is at the core of Leadership Waterloo Region's purpose and you have provided that opportunity this morning – well done Anne and Joanne!

Spirited Investors is a private equity firm with business excellence and leadership at our core. We are focused on leveraging the expertise of our shareholders to add value to all the organizations we are involved with. Our goal is to be recognized as the best problem-solving business investors in Canada. We offer concrete assistance to businesses by providing capital and business expertise through our Activestors, many of whom are recognized business leaders in this community.  To this end we as an organization reflect the barn building culture that the region is known for and the “Spirit of Why Not” - two concepts that David Johnston, one of our regions greatest ambassadors and leaders, has associated with this Region very eloquently over the past couple of years.  We have also been the benefactors of this attitude of interdependence that permeates through our community. Many of you in the room have extended your support to us as allies as we have grown from a dream to a concept to a functioning corporation. Without your partnership the dream would not become a reality and we look forward to giving back to the community through shared commerce as well as involvement of our people in the social profit arena. Thank you for your continuing support of our organization.

This concept of interdependence or mutual reliance is an attitude that I believe demonstrates true leadership. It goes beyond independence and acknowledges that we are all stronger when we collaborate for the benefit of one another. It is an attitude that is evident throughout our community and I believe it is a key reason that this region continues to be at the forefront of innovation and community development. It is also evident among the founders of Spirited Investors and is a key reason that I have chosen to align myself with Spirited Investors.

For those of you who are not familiar with us please take one of the brochures that are at your table. If you are intrigued by our vision please contact us.