May 4, 2018
Career Trek and its Board of Directors are announcing that, effective May 31, 2018, Darrell Cole, our Founder and CEO, is leaving to start the next chapter of his own career trek. Over the past 22 years, Darrell has created a culture of mutual respect, collaboration and innovation within Career Trek, the career development community, the larger community and our stakeholders.
We are saddened to see him leave but we are so grateful for his tireless efforts in starting and growing Career Trek Inc from its inception in 1996. Darrell envisioned and managed great change throughout Manitoba by creating successful early intervention, career development programs. He founded an organization with the vision of a Manitoba where all citizens are able to realize their full educational and career potential. His dedication resulted in hundreds of children, annually, seeing the power and importance in their education and career goals. Darrell’s legacy leaves a lasting impact on over 13,000 participants across the province, and this number doesn’t include families, staff and others who were also impacted through his efforts and leadership.
“I am truly heartened by where Career Trek sits right now, “said Darrell. “In fact, it is the favourable state of our organization that has helped me make this difficult decision. To be sure, there will always be challenges, but I feel that Career Trek is now poised to enter an exciting period in its history. The staff is led by both a committed Board of Directors and a very solid senior management team. Career Trek’s programming, curriculum, administration and financial management are all in good standing. I believe that now is the time to secure Career Trek’s future by making room for new leadership with a keen eye, a fresh vision and boundless energy.”
An interim Special Committee of active Board Members, including Vic Bellay and Gord Hannon, will act as transitional support for Career Trek during Darrell’s departure. The Vice President of Operations, Bill Hicks, and Vice President of Strategic Development, Meghan Lavallee, will continue to lead the day-to-day functions of the organization while reporting directly to the Board. Bill and Meghan will also be working with the Business Development Committee to help the Board of Directors determine the future structure of Career Trek.
“Darrell has developed and led a committed team, each of whom plays an integral role in the everyday running of our successful not-for-profit organization,” said Barbara Bowen, Chair of the Board of Directors. “We will miss Darrell but he leaves Career Trek in a very strong position for future growth and we sincerely thank him for his vision, leadership and contributions.”
We will be celebrating the varied contributions of Darrell at a farewell party at a date and time to be announced. We will share the details as soon as they have been confirmed, as we would love everyone to help us celebrate our Founder, Darrell Cole.
For further information please contact:
Bill Hicks, VP of Operations or Meghan Lavallee, VP of Strategic Development.
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