Introducing the First Recipient of the Chris Howlett Award

FEATURED Introducing the Chris Howlett Award

In 2010, Chris Howlett was introduced to Cathy Brothers and Andrew Wilding at the Accelerator Centre in Waterloo Region. It’s been over a decade since, and Chris’s loyalty and continued support for Capacity Canada has been heartwarming.

A software developer by profession, Chris and his wife Lynn have been the longest standing supporters of our work, mission and vision. We are honoured to announce a new award that recognizes Chris and Lynn’s invaluable role in the success of Capacity Canada.

“Chris has been the backbone and protector of Capacity Canada from our earliest days. He understands the importance of supporting innovation and growth in the charitable sector. We recognize when we are being coached by an innovation giant. In addition to sharing his knowledge and experience with Capacity Canada as a volunteer coach, Chris and his wife Lynn have been our most generous donors each year since 2010,” says Cathy Brothers, CEO, Capacity Canada. Reminiscing about the day he was first introduced to the Capacity Canada team, Chris says, “I remember the time I first met Cathy and Andrew. Back then, Capacity Canada was called Capacity Waterloo Region. An organization’s success depends on its people, and after meeting them both, I knew this initiative that they are undertaking was going to have a great impact in our community.”

With a career in technology spanning over seven decades, Chris credits his mother for spiking his interest in computers. His mother, Patricia Howlett, was part of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (popularly called Wrens) and worked at a top-secret, code-breaking substation in Eastcote, Middlesex, UK, as part of the Enigma project.

Keeping the family ‘tradition’ alive, Chris’s daughter, inspired by his passion for technology, decided to choose the field of information technology as a career path for herself. “Growing up, I was inspired by my father’s passion for technology and his desire to make things easier for others. He always preferred a smarter way of doing things. That’s what made me follow him in his footsteps,” says Caitlin Smith.

It was in the year 1967 when Chris started his first job as a software developer with IBM. After seven decades of working in the software developing industry, Chris retired from his profession in 2020. But that hasn’t stopped him from volunteering his time with numerous other organizations.

Chris readily makes connections between technology and charity and has been a consistent champion in finding technology solutions that help charities grow and create new solutions to social issues. He continues to volunteer his time at Strong Start, a charity organization based in Waterloo that helps children learn to read.

“People involved with Capacity Canada in the early stages are still around even a decade later. Capacity Canada stands true to its mission and work. And that’s what I appreciate about the organization,” adds Chris.

A valued and precious mentor to Capacity Canada, his humble and self-effacing style is lovable. Capacity Canada is blessed to have Chris by its side during its journey that began over a decade ago.