Mosaic and the Yorkton Chamber partnership

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By Juanita Polegi, executive director ace, yorkton chamber of commerce

the mosaic Company sponsored nine high school students and their teacher to attend the yorkton Chamber’s Annual Business Dinner.

for several years now, the Mosaic Company in Esterhazy has sponsored students from the local high schools to attend the Yorkton Chamber’s Annual Business Dinner. This is a significant sponsorship in terms of dollars, but more importantly, it provides students with an interest in business to attend a dinner with the business community and to hear a presentation from a successful business person.

The chamber was pleased when Mosaic contacted us and offered to once again sponsor a table of students to attend the 23rd Annual Business Dinner featuring Murad Al-Katib, CEO and president of AGT Food and Ingredients.

The Yorkton Regional High School sent nine students to the dinner accompanied by teacher, Daniel Mandziuk. During the cocktail hour, the students (who were served non-alcoholic beverages) had the opportunity to meet some of the Mosaic management team, including Julien Brazeau, Joran Weber, and Eric Anderson.

Once the meal was finished, Al-Katib was invited to the podium where he shared the story of his journey as “the kid from Davidson” to the CEO of a company with 46 manufacturing and processing plants on five continents. He shared five tips for success, including “have no fear” and “have passion and love what you do”. He challenged the business community to consider how it could help youth, women, First Nations, and new Canadians as they embark on their entrepreneurial journeys as “they are the business leaders and critical employees of tomorrow”. He shared an entrepreneurial quote that was so appropriate for the young people in the audience but resonated with all in attendance “Control your own destiny or someone else will”, said by Jack Welch.

It’s not likely that Mosaic or the chamber will ever know if any of the students who have attended the Chamber Business Dinner over the years were inspired to become entrepreneurs or to change the course of their lives. Providing the opportunity for these students to hear the stories of successful business leaders is truly a gift that Mosaic has given to dozens of Yorkton high school students. The Yorkton Chamber and the Yorkton business community appreciates Mosaic’s generosity and interest in our youth. l