Behind the Business

Montana Wilson, P.Eng., EMBA, is the founder and CEO of GRIT Engineering, a values-driven consulting firm delivering civil, geotechnical, environmental and surveying services across Ontario. Montana started as a practicing engineer and progressed into leadership with a clear mission: put people and community outcomes at the centre of infrastructure work.

In this episode of Behind the Business, Montana shares the story of becoming a founder, why GRIT emphasizes mentorship, inclusion and long-term sustainability, and how the firm packages multidisciplinary work for municipalities, developers and communities. We dig into talent development for young engineers and internationally-trained professionals, a real GRIT project case study, and practical takeaways for small businesses and leaders in Waterloo Region.

Join us as we go “Behind the Business” with Montana Wilson of GRIT Engineering.

Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Dorothy McCabe, elected Mayor of Waterloo in 2022, brings decades of municipal experience and community-focused leadership to City Hall. In this episode we go behind the business of running a city — from the early career moments that shaped her, to the hands-on decisions that produce visible outcomes for residents. Dorothy discusses housing and growth, partnerships with post-secondary institutions and business, how leaders learn from setbacks, and the practical habits that keep her grounded. 

Whether you run a small business, lead a team, or simply care about the future of Waterloo Region, you’ll find practical lessons and honest stories in this conversation.

Let’s go “Behind the Business” with Mayor Dorothy McCabe.

Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

In this episode of Behind the Business, we sit down with Andy Taylor, President & CEO of Gore Mutual Insurance Company, and Neil Parkinson, Chair of Gore’s Board of Directors.

Built on a foundation of financial strength for more than 180 years, Gore is one of Canada’s first property and casualty insurance companies. They are deeply rooted in community and are driving bold change with their intention to merge with Beneva, bringing together two well established, financially strong, trusted brands to reinforce the meaningful role of mutuals in the Canadian insurance industry.​

Andy and Neil share how Gore is driving bold transformation, balancing innovation with regulation, shaping the future of mutuals in Canada, and fostering a culture of “Spreading Good,” both in the Waterloo Region and across Canada.

Join us as we go Behind the Business with Andy Taylor and Neil Parkinson of Gore Mutual.

Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Today’s guest is John Thomas, CEO of Connect Airlines, a company on a mission to rethink regional aviation and lead the way in sustainable air travel. With a career that spans global airlines, startup ventures and bold innovation, John brings a unique perspective on leadership, infrastructure, and what it takes to build connectivity in today’s fast‑changing world.

In this episode we’ll explore John’s journey from large carriers to launching his own operation, the vision for Connect Airlines, how they’re tackling a “broken model” in regional flight, and what that means for communities, sustainability and business alike. Whether you’re running a business, building a team, or simply interested in how industries are evolving, you’ll find plenty of inspiration and practical take‑aways here.

Let’s go Behind the Business with John Thomas 

Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Ronjiny Basu is the founder of Puddles Swim School in Kitchener, a program dedicated to helping children develop confidence, safety, and joy in the water. After years in corporate program management and marketing, Ronjiny followed her passion to create a high-impact, safety-focused swim school that combines Montessori-inspired teaching with sensory-friendly design.

In this episode, we go behind the business to hear how she built Puddles from the ground up, how she leads a small but mission-driven team, and how she’s partnering with the Waterloo Region community to make water safety and confidence accessible for all children. 

Let’s go Behind the Business with Ronjiny Basu of Puddles Swim School.

Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Shawna Leifso and Greg Quaile, the husband-and-wife team behind Subtly You, have built a medical aesthetics business that stands out through creativity, community engagement, and personalized client experiences. In this episode of Behind the Business, we explore how they combine clinical expertise with smart marketing strategies to grow a thriving business while staying authentic.

Tune in to hear how Shawna and Greg leverage partnerships, innovative campaigns, and hands-on community involvement to make an impact and what lessons their journey offers to other entrepreneurs in service-based industries.

Let’s go Behind the Business with Shawna and Greg. 

Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Karen Gallant is the President and CEO of Junior Achievement JA South Western Ontario  on, one of Canada’s most impactful youth organizations helping students develop financial literacy, entrepreneurial thinking, and work-readiness skills.

Under her leadership, JA has expanded across the region, embraced digital learning, and continues to inspire young people to take ownership of their futures.

We’ll talk about the importance of financial literacy, inspiring the next generation of innovators, and how businesses can play a hands-on role in developing future talent.

Let’s go Behind the Business with Karen Gallant.

Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Precious Julius, founder of Last Minute Gallery, is transforming how Waterloo Region experiences art. What began as a passion project has grown into a vibrant, award-winning platform that celebrates emerging artists, fosters collaboration, and brings art directly into the community through immersive, hands-on events.

In this episode, Precious shares the journey of building Last Minute Gallery, the inspiration behind The Art Experience, and how he connects artists with audiences in meaningful ways. From winning the 2025 Small Business Awards Event Impact Award to navigating the evolving arts landscape, he offers an insider’s perspective on running a creative business with purpose and impact.

Let’s go “Behind the Business” with Precious Julius.

Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Vanessa Simon is the founder of Vanessa’s Cuisine. She made a bold career change from nursing to entrepreneurship, creating a Caribbean-rooted food brand that’s now featured on store shelves across Waterloo Region. Along the way, Vanessa has built strong community connections, earned the 2025 Exceptional Small Business of the Year Award (community-voted), and used her platform to inspire women and young entrepreneurs.

Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Today’s episode is sponsored by BDC – the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs, as we celebrate BDC Small Business Week, from October 19-25. Each day, we’re spotlighting a different small business owner from our community — the people who power our local economy, create jobs, and bring innovation to life. We’re also excited to have this year’s theme focus on the economic revolution, and getting your business ready.

Today, we’re sitting down with Nicholas Preisenhammer of Gladiator Pro Wash. What started as a small local exterior cleaning business quickly grew into a trusted company known for quality, reliability, and attention to detail. Nicholas has built his business on hard work and care for his clients — proving that small businesses can make a big impact through dedication and integrity.

We’ll explore how dedication, integrity, and customer care have fueled Nick’s success — and continue to drive his business forward.

Join me as we go “Behind the Business” with Nicholas Preisenhammer.

Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.