Each week, #SpanningtheNeed will present an “Inspirational Person of the Week’ and have a “Q & A” with one of its many gifted individuals and/or groups who are willing to go out of their own way to help others. This week’s featured is Chris Canova from Jobs for Ohio’s Graduate.
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Name: Chris Canova
Position: Executive Director
Organization: Jobs for Ohio’s Graduate
Bio: Chris has been with Tri-County Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates since 1993 and in 2002 became the Executive Director. He also serves as the CEO of Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates, the coordinating body for six state affiliates of Jobs for America’s Graduates. Chris holds an M.B.A. and BA in Economics; is a Certified Workforce Development Professional; and has devoted his entire professional career to issues related to youth workforce development programming. In 2008, he was selected as a “high-potential emerging leader” by Jobs for America’s Graduates and was asked to participate in the American Express Nonprofit Leadership Academy. Chris also is a nationally certified trainer for JAG and specializes in program start-ups focused on dropout recovery programs. These include programs in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Savannah amongst others.
POTW: Chris Gunther, The Chris Gunther Show(Opens in a new browser tab)
What made you want to go into this field?
Love for business, kids and education
What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be successful?
Relationships
What is the biggest professional mistake you made along the way?
Need to listen more than speak.
What is the hardest decision you ever had to make in this field?
Personnel related decisions
If you could start all over again, what would you do differently regarding your profession?
Build infrastructure quicker and lean more on professional services to get started and build program.
What inspires you to do good in our community?
Our Young adults and providing them opportunities
What do you enjoy most about volunteering in our community?
Community impact and smiling faces when our young people achieve a goal.
What is your best accomplishment/experience in life?
Being a parent
Who is your role model and Why?
So many, but my mother, grandfather and uncles who raised me given that my father passed when I was very young. They helped to establish my giving nature, respect for people and work ethic.
If there was one person that you would like to meet, past or present and why?
Probably my father – died when I was very young.
A favorite quote that you live by?
The Golden Rule
