SSMIC's RAIN division welcomes Elaine Ho

February 24, 2021

new hire spotlight: Elain ho 

This week we welcome Elaine Ho, a new Project Coordinator with RAIN. She looks to bring positive energy, a passion for ‘bridging’ to build on existing partnerships (e.g., to bring in more partners from across the region and in different sectors), broad networks in natural resource-based academia and practice, project management skills, long-term/future thinking, and collaborative ideation to the organization. She looks forward to building lasting community relationships that implement projects that influence or directly result in positive change. When she is not at work, Elaine enjoys Hiking with the family and dogs, spending time ‘unplugged’ at her camp, weekend trap shoots (pre-COVID; ranges are closed now), homesteading, and leisurely drives in vintage vehicles (sometimes visiting the local car shows). 

Elaine is in the final months of her PhD in Social and Ecological Sustainability (specializing in Integrated Water Management) at the University of Waterloo.  She is passionate about building bridges between people and organizations, building social-ecological awareness, and exploring innovative, sustainable solutions.  She has collaborated with people from a variety of industries and sectors, e.g., construction, engineering, public education, tourism, natural resource management, renewable energy, academia, government, businesses, and non-profit organizations.  Elaine has delivered dozens of formal talks and has designed/delivered workshops in settings that range from small community events and corporate meetings to international conferences, and she has been a driving force in the growth and development of several social-economic ventures. A believer in lifelong learning, Elaine frequently pursues personal development opportunities - e.g., leadership summits, subject matter workshops, professional certifications, field exercises, and international conferences - expanding her network of thought leaders and changemakers at each one. 

She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) as of 2014 and is a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps, having trained with Al Gore in 2015.  Current volunteer positions include sitting on the Board of Directors at the Long Point Biosphere Reserve and representing North America (Canadian representative) on the global Action for Sustainable Development Facilitation Committee.  She also continues to be involved in various volunteer initiatives which she previously began in a remote Maasai community in Kenya, including a women's bead cooperative. Over the next year, she looks forward to building community relationships for the Lake Huron Collaborative while also starting a small homestead. 

 

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Northern Ontario Value-Added Agriculture (NOVA) Program Launches

October 11, 2024
The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) has launched the Northern Ontario Value-Added Agriculture (NOVA) Program to empower agri-food entrepreneurs across Northern Ontario to develop new food products. By offering workshops, training sessions, networking events, and a mentorship program, NOVA aims to equip Northern entrepreneurs with the essential skills and knowledge needed for long-term business growth and sustainability. Supported by $42,080 in funding from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, NOVA will address the critical need for professional development in the agri-food sector. It focuses on enhancing entrepreneurial skills, improving safety and risk management practices, and providing strategies to expand market presence at home and abroad. “The agri-food promise and potential of Northern Ontario is immense, and our government will continue to work with Northern partners like the SSMIC to help seize it,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “NOVA will help unlock more of the huge untapped entrepreneurial energy and ambition of Northern agri-food entrepreneurs to build strong local businesses, create good-paying jobs and strengthen Northern Ontario’s economy.” Program goals include strengthened business capabilities, job creation, and increased economic activity, leading to a more vibrant and sustainable agri-food sector in Northern Ontario. By fostering public engagement with agriculture and local food, NOVA will also contribute to rural development and enhanced community well-being. "Through the NOVA Program, we are excited to provide agri-food entrepreneurs with the tools and networks they need to thrive," said Peter Bruijns, Executive Director of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre. "This initiative not only supports individual businesses but also strengthens our entire region's agricultural ecosystem." For more information visit: https://rainalgoma.ca/programs/the-northern-ontario-value-added-agriculture-nova-training-program/ SSMIC would also like to thank FedNor the Government of Canada, and the Sault Ste Marie Community Development Corporation for their support in this exciting program. 

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