Member Spotlight: Catherine Soplet
Who are you and what is your role?
I am the Founder and Executive Director (Acting) of NabrHUBS INC. non-profit. I bring to my role more than 20 years’ experience in volunteer and honorarium roles on community boards and ad hoc committees, non-profit music and sports organizations and advocacy for funding parent council grants in public education.
What is your business?
NabrHUBS INC. is taglined “Design-building people for growth.” Its purpose is to collaborate with diverse partners to create inclusive community-engagement activities which lead to safer neighbourhoods and more vibrant schools, which create a better environment for business to thrive. These values were first expressed in 2016 as ESG impact for triple-bottom line financial statements – Environment, Social and Governance.
When did you become a member of the Mississauga Board of Trade?
NabrHUBS INC. became a member in May 2017.
What’s your favourite aspect of MBOT?
I’m a policy wonk – I most enjoy how MBOT convenes shared learning by bringing in subject experts and thought leaders, ranging from headliner personalities to municipal budget bureaucrats.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about joining MBOT?
Join MBOT now! Join me as a guest.
How has MBOT helped your business?
In February 2019, MBOT Human Resources Committee undertook a review of skilled trades programs offered in the four public school boards in Peel Region. Findings and recommendations in November 2019 report was presented to the Premier of Ontario. MBOT’s record of data and experience helped to inform policy shifts and budget funding that preserved and extended Ontario curriculum offerings.
While revenues did not directly attribute to NabrHUBS INC. as a result, my colleague network led to 2020 connections that helped land funding for pandemic-adapted planting of five climate action tree labs, which engaged 71 residents in Brampton including students who completed program and community service hours so they could graduate, even under COVID lockdown.