in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ar ch 12 ,2 02 0 | 16 Overhead Door Co. of Hamilton-Burlington™ Consumer Feature It's free to apply to the innovative MNP FutureLeaders mentorship program, and therewards are, well, priceless! Applications are now open for the 2020 MNP FutureLeadersmentorshipprogram,whichoffers three successful candidates one year of monthly professional mentoring, guidance and advice from an MNP partner, year-long memberships to participating boards of trade and chambers of commerce, consultation with media experts and a profile enhancement strategy, and the prestige of being recognized as anMNP Future Leader. "We are looking for young entrepreneurs who are seeking to start a new business or are active in an existing entrepreneurial enterprise, and looking for professional expertise to help make their vision a reality," says Jim Molyneux, Regional Managing Partner, MNP Peel Region. "In partnership with key local stakeholders who share our vision, we created the MNP Future Leaders mentorship program to assist young business leaders as they build their entrepreneurial enterprises and succeed on their own terms. As a successful MNP Future Leader, you join a community that wants you to succeed." MNP, a leading national accounting, tax and business consulting firm in Canada, has partnered on this unique mentorship program with key local stakeholders including Ryerson University, Sheridan College, University of Toronto Mississauga, City of Brampton, Town of Oakville, Brampton Board of Trade, Mississauga Board of Trade, Oakville Chamber of Commerce and Star MetrolandMedia. Each year, three MNP Future Leaders accelerate their entrepreneurial journey through the program. Winners benefit from the in-depth industry experience of their MNP mentor while they work to propel their business forward. MNP mentors tailor their advice to the individual needs of each winner and can advise on strategic business plans, scaling a business, establishing competitive benchmarks and identifying process improvement opportunities. Networking opportunities are further enhanced by year-long memberships to the Brampton Board of Trade, Mississauga Board of Trade and Oakville Chamber of Commerce. Other membership benefits include access to valuable resources and information including current industry trends, public policy issues, and savings through affinity partners. The winners also receive a consultation with Star Metroland Media, who works with them to develop a media plan to enhance their profile within the local community. Eligible applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 40 and engaged in an entrepreneurial enterprise as an owner/operator or in a management position at an existing business as part of a successionplan.Additionally, applicants should live, learn or work within Peel Region (Brampton, Caledon, Mississauga) or Oakville, meeting one of the criteria below: • Reside in Peel Region or Oakville • Be a graduate or current student from a post-secondary institution or a member of an incubator or co-working space in the area • Operate a business or serve customers locally A selection committee comprised of program partners reviews all eligible candidate applications and identifies finalists. Select individuals will be invited to deliver a short business pitch to the committee, which then deliberates and chooses the top candidates, for a total of three winners. The selection committee considers the following criteria when evaluating applications: demonstrated commitment to fostering innovation including diversity of thought, promotion of exceptional business standards and ethics, dedication to business achievement and plan for future growth.TheMNP Future Leaders are announced and honoured annually at a local celebration event in the spring. Winners of the 2019 MNP Future Leaders competition were Radwan Al-Nachawati, CEO of LinkMentalHealth, Emilee Feely, CEO of Feely Music and Arwina Mogul who is the CEO of Beam.gg. Radwan Al-Nachawati founded LinkMentalHealth as an online booking platform, which connects people to their health insurance coverage and then matches them to mental health services that best fit their specific needs. Emilee Feely founded Feely Music in 2014 - a music education company which trains andhires teacherswhoprovidemusic lessons in the homes of clients, through a self-booking platform. Arwina Mogul is the founder and CEO of Beam.gg, anonline event platform forpeople tofind esports and gaming events in their city. "As an entrepreneurial firm built for entrepreneurs,"As an entrepreneurial firm built for entrepreneurs," MNP is proud to support our local business communities and young business leaders by providing theadviceand tools theyneed to succeed in a rapidly-changing business environment," says Molyneux. "Ourgoal is to inspireandguide thenext generation of business leaders through the MNP Future Leadersmentorship program." Applications for the MNP Future Leaders mentorship program are open until March 23, 2020. To learnmoreabout thementorshipprogramandto submit your online application, visit www.MNP.ca/ futureleaders, email MNPFutureLeaders@mnp.ca or contact JimMolyneux at 416-626-6000. Need a Business Mentor? Applications Now Open for the MNP Future Leaders Mentorship Program Saying "yes" to EN- CORE paid off for Michael Ivanchenko of Oakville. The 63-year-old married father of three matched the last six of seven ENCORE numbers in exact order in the February 8 LOTTARIO draw to win $100,000. Ivanchenko did his "happy dance" when he dis- covered his win after checking his ticket in store at the Ticket Checker, he said. "The cashier started do- ing the happy dance too," he recalled, while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toron- to to pick up his cheque. "I texted my daughters and told them to keep it a sur- prise for my wife for Valen- tine's Day." Ivanchenko then texted his wife, who is currently caring for her elderly par- ents, and told her to buy a dress and pick tickets to any show she wanted to see. "She said, 'We can't af- ford that,' and I said, 'Yes, we can,'" he said. The couple plan to trav- el to Las Vegas, upgrade their vehicle and share some of the windfall with their children. "For us, it's amazing. I just had open-heart sur- gery, and this is a great way to celebrate my wellness and getting through this difficult surgery," he said. The winning ticket was purchased at Abbeywood Convenience on Abbey- wood Drive in Oakville. MAN HAS OPEN-HEART SURGERY AND THEN WINS LOTTERY THE 63-YEAR-OLD PLANS TO GO TO VEGAS WITH HIS WIFE, AMONG OTHER THINGS LOUIE ROSELLA lrosella@metroland.com Michael Ivanchenko is all smiles while holding his $100,000 cheque. OLG photo NEWS