About Us |
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Challenge Your World believes a new generation of business can play a significant role in affecting positive change. Companies guided by sustainable practices can improve the lives of people and reverse the devastation in the environment without impacting profitability. To move forward requires adopting a new perspective — a mindset where business works in harmony with the social and natural environments. It requires the promotion of a new “bottom line” that extends beyond financial return to account for a company’s investment in their community and the environment. The successful companies of tomorrow will be those that are willing to challenge traditional business norms and see the opportunity in sustainable practices. This new generation of business will rise from the innovative ideas of today. The goal of Challenge Your World is to ensure these ideas reach their potential. For more information, follow the latest news and resources on our blog, get an overview of our work by watching our basic videos, read our sustainability policy or check out our frequently asked questions. CHALLENGE YOUR WORLD |
Our Vision & Mission
OUR VISION is to foster the next generation of business by transforming innovative ideas into sustainable companies that work in harmony with the social and natural environments while providing financial value.
OUR MISSION is to advance the next generation of business by developing the world’s best sustainability ideas. By providing an online community for collaboration and support, engaging competitions to motivate and inspire, and a development workspace that provides targeted tools and resources, we will enable ideamakers and aspiring entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into sustainable businesses which contribute to society and restore balance to the environment.
Our Story
Challenge Your World began as a conversation between a successful businessman and his vegetarian daughter. One believed in free markets and its ability to provide for his family; the other had faith in Mother Nature and her ability to nourish an entire planet. Capitalism and Environmentalism, though seemingly opposed, are systems governed by similar forces: growth, efficiency and renewal.
Both father and daughter agreed that a sustainable world was of vital importance, and that business played an important role in achieving it. After numerous brainstorming sessions, several market studies, and dozens of cups of Fair Trade coffee, Challenge Your World was born.
Our Team
Chris Roth, Entrepreneurship
From his early days on a small family farm, Chris has always had a strong connection to the natural environment. Over the past two decades, he has spent his time building expertise in the business world. While working with startups, SME and Fortune 100 organizations, Chris has developed a unique perspective in sales, marketing, manufacturing and operations. At Challenge Your World, he combines his passion for the environment with his expertise in business to assist young entrepreneurs in transforming their ideas into sustainable businesses. When he’s not in Montreal, you’ll find Chris in southern California biking around the local mountains and kayaking on the Pacific..
Martin Lessard, Interactivity
Web analyst, internet communication specialist and frequent keynote speaker, Martin is responsible for developing the Challenge Your World platform and online strategy, including site design, information flow and feature development. He is the author of a French-language book on blogging in a business context as well as a website production guide. Martin has been focused on the use and impact of the Internet since its early inception.
David-Vincent Bone, Communications
Having previously worked as a teacher, a translator and a marketing manager, David is well aware of the power of communication to affect positive change. He has been fortunate enough to circumnavigate the globe on several occasions and has lived in Italy, Japan and China. When he's not working for Challenge Your World, David is busy learning new languages — both human and computer.
Debbie Carman, Sustainable Business
With a background in business and sustainability, Debbie is always looking for opportunities to merge the two. Debbie has a formal education from the John Molson School of Business and an informal education from her participation in Sustainable Concordia. Debbie has chaired a Sustainable Business Conference and contributed to Concordia's Campus Sustainability Assessment in 2006.
Special Thanks
Challenge Your World would like to thank the following individuals whose commitment and support has made our work possible: Cameron Stiff, Christine Prefontaine, Etienne Giroux, Eve Duhamel, Jeremy Duhamel, Jocelyn Arsenault, Julien Vallée and Mary Roach.
