In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.
What is your name?
Renee Wasylyk
What do you always find yourself saying?
I have so many favorites! I am not sure I could choose just one.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
Desmond Tutu – he is someone who overcame tremendous odds, stood up against injustice, and has the wisdom of having lived through so much and kept his integrity.
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
Woman of the Year for Kelowna, or the Business Person of the Year.
If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Mother Theresa or Joan of Arc – both strong and mighty in different ways.
Who inspires you?
My kids. They make me want to be better, to give more, and have undone my heart as a mother in a way that I never knew possible. They make me proud, and they are teaching me how to let go. They are remarkable individuals and they inspire me every day.
What are three things on your bucket list?
Get my PhD, run for political office, live in a foreign country.
If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
Eye of the Storm.
If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
The day I die. I could plan backwards from there!
What are you passionate about?
My family, my philanthropic work, my community and my Troika tribe. I want to make this world a better place for those who come behind me. I believe that working for the betterment of others is the best way to make that happen. In addition to the work my company does building communities, I believe that women need to move forward positively in the economy. Being a part of the Premier’s Women’s Economic Council has been an incredible experience of collaboration and positive impact and has enabled me to make an impact in women’s lives in BC. I also believe that we need to give the best start to kids. I support Breakfast Club of Canada to make that happen. Feeding 185,000 kids every morning at school is a pretty great feeling!
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
I have three: The day each of my kids was born. Never did I feel so powerful and so vulnerable at the same time.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Building a successful and thriving company that gives tirelessly to its communities.
Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
On the water. There is nothing like it. Beauty, quiet, and a sense of awe.
What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
My favorite part of Kelowna is that we don’t have to choose just one thing to do! We are such a recreation and cultural oriented community. I love that we can ski, golf, and attend the theatre all in one day!
What is the name of your business/organization?
Troika Developments and CorWest Builders.
What does your business/organization do?
Land and Real Estate Development, Construction – We passionately build sustainable communities one home at a time. Currently, we have just finished construction of a building downtown on Upper Leon Avenue; are in the last phase of the Gate at Black Mountain – a townhouse community starting at the low 300s; are about to launch the last phase of Green Square townhomes in the lower mission; and have a subdivision on the waterfront called West Harbour in the 3rd phase. We also are developing Diamond Mountain next to UBCO and have a large subdivision in Edmonton called Stewart Greens.
Where can people find you or your business online?
www.troikadevelopments.com
How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
Renee Wasylyk
Where can people find your business on Facebook?
Renee Wasylyk
What is your Twitter account?
@troikaceo
What is your mission?
To move things positively forward and to inspire, encourage, and empower others to do the same.
Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
I love where we are heading! We have long-term projects that will continue moving forward over the next 10-15 years. I am excited about where we are heading and love the team that we have to get there!
Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
There are so many! Mostly the thinkers…the ones that are trying to make a difference. I like listening to Mark Holland talk about Urban Planning, Gary Pooni talk about community building, and Ben Smith talk about demographic mindsets. They may be my peers in many respects, but they are leading the charge in their specialties as well.
What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Relationship, celebration, and innovation. We are built on relationship and love working and having fun together. We celebrate the wins, and build each other up. We are also focused on innovation – how can we design better communities and build better homes? How can we positively impact our cities?
What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
That they are amazing…and that I am honored and privileged to work with them every day. They are a great team, and are incredibly talented and capable. I love that we get to make a difference together, and that they trust me to lead them towards our common vision. We are the Troika…a team of horses pulling together!
How does your business/organization impact the community?
Our business was created to make a positive community impact. Because we build communities, we believe that we need to involve ourselves in them as well. We are board members, on committees, and participants of so many organizations and causes: Rotary Club, UDI, DKA, SICA, CHBA, Breakfast Club of Canada, UBCO External Advisory Committee. Our senior leadership gives back to our community as much as possible, and our staff contributes towards causes that we are all passionate about.
If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
Commodities – the whole aspect of oil, gas, and mining is fascinating. But I would rather be in a lecture hall than trapped in an elevator!
If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
Make more of it to share!
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The people. Kelowna has a culture of caring, community, and culture. We like building togetherness through shared experience and those that pioneer those experiences are rewarded. I love that we are the entrepreneur capital of BC and Canada, and that we allow creativity, dreaming, and progress to move forward – guided by our history, positive innovation, and social conscience.
My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Una Gabie
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!
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