www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, March 10, 2016 | 8 Hard work and dedication can make lucky break pay off continued from p.3 took the radio and television arts program at Ryerson University, she said, as all of her friends were going to other schools. "At the end of the day, a little bit of luck came in, which happens often in life. I applied for a job at Chatelaine. I didn't just get handed that job, I convinced them I was the right person," said Ladner. Throughout her career, the cobistyle founder has appeared on national radio and television programs and featured in various print media. After working at Canadian House and Home for 18 years, Ladner left in 2008 with "really, really mixed feelings," as a major reinvention was happening, she said. She compared the change to "jumping off a cliff because I walked away from an amazing job and industry." "I didn't want to be defined just by House and Home. If I didn't do it then, I would never do it because once you get to a certain age, you're not going to take those risks and start something new," said Ladner, noting she launched cobistyle in 2009. "This reinvention was a really good idea for me. It hasn't always been easy, this part of my career. Sometimes it's been disappointing, (but) it was the right move for me and I know that now." At the end of the day, a little bit of luck came in, which happens often in life. I applied for a job at Chatelaine. I didn't just get handed that job, I convinced them I was the right person. Cobi Ladner Cobi Ladner Ladner's address was followed by a panel discussion with three other speakers, including: Shelly Easton, McMaster University public relations manager; Bethany Nolson, founder of Prom with a Purpose, a "promlike" gala for youths in the Greater Toronto Area that raises money for non-profit organizations; and Margaret Cockburn, who works at McMaster's David Braley Sport Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre. One of the inquiries was to discuss a negative moment that later turned out to be positive. For Nolson, it was when Prom with a Purpose's second event fell through last year. She said she "learned so much about myself, my leadership styles and how I dealt with that struggle." "As hard as it was to have an event fall through, it gave us this new fire to try again, to try another event... just seeing that as a learning opportunity (helped)." oakville.ca Oakville Municipal By-Election April 11, 2016 Are you on the Voters List? Watch for voter cards for the Ward 2 By-Election Advance voting starts March 30, 2016. Voting Day is April 11, 2016. Starting next week, voter notification cards will arrive in the mail for eligible Ward 2 voters in Oakville. If you are an eligible voter and do not receive a card by March 25, please call 905-815-6015 (TTY: 905-338-4200), email elections@oakville.ca, or visit the Clerk's department at Oakville Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road to ensure your name is on the voters list. To vote in the Ward 2 municipal by-election you must be: · a Canadian citizen; · at least 18 years old; and · a resident in Ward 2 in the Town of Oakville, or a non-resident owner or tenant of land in Ward 2, or their spouse. On the front of the voter card you will find a list of all locations in Ward 2 where you can vote on voting day, April 11, 2016. You can vote at any one voting location in Ward 2. Advance voting opportunities If you are unable to vote on voting day, you can vote at one of the advance voting dates that have been scheduled to take place on: Wednesday, March 30, 2016 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. · Oakville Seniors Recreation Centre, 263 Kerr Street · Sir John Colborne Seniors Centre, 1565 Old Lakeshore Road Saturday, April 2, 2016 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. · Oakville Seniors Recreation Centre, 263 Kerr Street · Sir John Colborne Seniors Centre, 1565 Old Lakeshore Road Please take your voter card and proper identification with you to vote. Acceptable forms of identification include: · Driver's licence · Ontario photo card · Current utility bill · Current bank or credit card statement · Current insurance policy We're looking for Oakville's shining stars whose volunteer efforts are bringing us one step closer to becoming the most livable town in Canada! We all have friends, family and colleagues who spend countless hours volunteering and supporting the many activities of our diverse community. The Community Spirit Awards celebrate this generous spirit that is evident all around us. All voting locations are physically accessible. During advance voting and on voting day, April 11, 2016, Oakville Seniors Recreation Centre (263 Kerr Street) will be physically accessible, will have accessible voting equipment and will be open to all voters. If you are not able to vote on voting day or any of the advance voting days, please call the Clerk's department to obtain information on proxy voting at 905-815-6015. Visit the Town of Oakville elections website at elections.oakville.ca for more information. · Group Volunteer Award, sponsored by the Town of Oakville · Heritage Award, sponsored by Genworth Financial Canada · Individual Volunteer Award, sponsored by Paradiso Restaurant · Senior Award, sponsored by the Town of Oakville · Youth Award, sponsored by RBC Royal Bank Nomination forms are available for pick-up at all town facilities and libraries, or online at oakville.ca. The nomination deadline is Monday, April 11 at 4 p.m. For more information call 905-845-6601, ext. 3976 or email csa@oakville.ca. Nominate a Community Champion Today! Nominations will be accepted in the following categories: · Access Award, sponsored by Access Abilities · Arts Award, sponsored by The Oakville Beaver City of M ISSISSAU GA