Treana Peake, a Vancouver-based fashion designer and philanthropist, is the creative director of the fashion label Obakki and founder of the Obakki Foundation, which focuses on bringing clean water, education, sustainable agriculture and medical care to parts of Africa, in particular, South Sudan, Uganda and Cameroon.
Since 2009, the foundation has provided 900 water wells and supported more than 12 schools. Ms. Peake is married to Ryan Peake, of the band Nickelback, with whom she has two children.
Since 2009, the foundation has provided 900 water wells and supported more than 12 schools. Ms. Peake is married to Ryan Peake, of the band Nickelback, with whom she has two children.
I was born in Ontario, but the majority of my life was spent living in rural Alberta, in a town called Hanna. That’s also where I met my husband.
For most of my childhood, it was just my mom and me. My father passed away when I was quite young. I was an only child. Our family struggled quite a bit. We spent some time living with my grandparents in a one-bedroom house. It was a humble upbringing. We had no running water. My grandfather and I would go to the well to bring water back to the family.
As a child, I don’t remember noticing or thinking anything of it. I just remember being in a family where I was surrounded by love.
As a child, I don’t remember noticing or thinking anything of it. I just remember being in a family where I was surrounded by love.
I think my philanthropic side came from something that happened while I was growing up:
Every year, around Christmas a white envelope of money would slide under the door to help our family get through the year. We never knew who it was. There was no return address.
To this day, I haven’t found out who it was. Part of me wants that person to know and understand the power of their super kind actions. On the other hand, I know that’s not why they did it – for recognition or praise. They did it because they cared.
Every year, around Christmas a white envelope of money would slide under the door to help our family get through the year. We never knew who it was. There was no return address.
To this day, I haven’t found out who it was. Part of me wants that person to know and understand the power of their super kind actions. On the other hand, I know that’s not why they did it – for recognition or praise. They did it because they cared.
Throughout my life, I’ve thought less about the money and more about the motivation: this beautiful act of kindness done quietly. It shaped my views on what giving really means. It started me on the path I’m on today.
I started fundraising at a very young age. I ran garage sales and other fundraising events. My husband grew up in the same town and started a band. I would organize concerts and we would give that money to charity.
It was a very inclusive rural town where everyone helped each other. It built me up and made me feel I could really do anything.
It was a very inclusive rural town where everyone helped each other. It built me up and made me feel I could really do anything.
My first real philanthropic trip was to Romania when I was 18 years old. I met a Canadian military captain who said he was putting together a group of people to go and help with issues around overflowing hospital and orphanages.
I was instantly hooked by the work we were doing. Africa was next, and I’ve been doing philanthropic work ever since.
I was instantly hooked by the work we were doing. Africa was next, and I’ve been doing philanthropic work ever since.
I launched Obakki, the fashion label in 2009. Obakki is a made-up word. I think people thought fashion came first. I didn’t. I have been doing philanthropy my entire life.
As the fashion brand began to grow, I realized it could be a great platform for me to showcase the philanthropic side of what I’m doing. I also recognized that fashion can have a very large platform, similar to what musicians and actors have.
The fashion sales cover the administration costs of the Obakki Foundation so that 100 per cent of the donations can go exactly where we want them to go. In terms of our programs, we are working in South Sudan, Uganda and Cameroon.
As the fashion brand began to grow, I realized it could be a great platform for me to showcase the philanthropic side of what I’m doing. I also recognized that fashion can have a very large platform, similar to what musicians and actors have.
The fashion sales cover the administration costs of the Obakki Foundation so that 100 per cent of the donations can go exactly where we want them to go. In terms of our programs, we are working in South Sudan, Uganda and Cameroon.
I have always been a creative person and business-minded. Fashion has allowed that outlet. I love putting together the photo shoots and collections and seeing clothing come to life through stories. I have a small team of about 20 people that work on the fashion side here in my studio in Vancouver.
The challenge is to push the envelope and come up with creative campaigns to keep peoples’ attention. My focus now is trying to further weave the fashion into the foundation.
The challenge is to push the envelope and come up with creative campaigns to keep peoples’ attention. My focus now is trying to further weave the fashion into the foundation.
In Bidi Bidi, the world’s largest refugee camp in Uganda, I met a group of women who helped me design a scarf – 100 per cent of the net proceeds of which go back to them.
They’re using their own two hands to create change for themselves. I’m looking for more opportunities like that. There are some beautiful stories I can try to weave into creative products. People want to buy things that do something good in the world.
They’re using their own two hands to create change for themselves. I’m looking for more opportunities like that. There are some beautiful stories I can try to weave into creative products. People want to buy things that do something good in the world.
I look to hire people with a common vision, who are innovative, collaborative and who want to make a change in the world. I think there’s a misconception with non-profits that they’re not modern or creative thinkers. We are absolutely that.
Yes, our programs in the field are grassroots but, on this side, we are a forward-thinking, open-minded and modern company. We have to be. It’s getting harder to fundraise and we need to come up with creative ways to present issues to people and inspire them to be part of it.
Yes, our programs in the field are grassroots but, on this side, we are a forward-thinking, open-minded and modern company. We have to be. It’s getting harder to fundraise and we need to come up with creative ways to present issues to people and inspire them to be part of it.
I have been told many times that what I’m envisioning won’t work. I’ve never been that person. I’m not afraid to try different things. If this inspires me, moves me and makes me feel really engaged, then I believe it will allow others to feel that way.
The best advice I’ve been given is simple: To do what’s in my own heart; build my own model instead of what other people are doing and trust that I know what I’m doing. My advice?
Don’t be afraid to take the first step.
Don’t be afraid to take the first step.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/careers/management/article-treana-peake-on-marrying-her-passions-for-design-and-philanthropy/
"Can my employer keep me from bidding for a job with a client?": Today I found this article in the Globe and Mail:
I am working in an actuarial consulting firm operating in Pakistan. There is an opening with one of our clients that I worked for, and I asked my boss to refer me. He is very kind and supportive, and after discussing my future plans, said he needed to converse with another person at the same level to get his views.
After some time, he said they thought it would set a precedent, and seem too easy for others to switch to the client side. Is there any practice internationally to bind a person from not going to clients for a job? Because I would like to approach my boss again about this opportunity.
After some time, he said they thought it would set a precedent, and seem too easy for others to switch to the client side. Is there any practice internationally to bind a person from not going to clients for a job? Because I would like to approach my boss again about this opportunity.
The first answer
Julie Labrie
President, BlueSky Personnel Solutions, Toronto.
If your current employment contract does not limit you from approaching one of the company’s clients for a job, then there is technically nothing stopping you from doing so.
That is the easy black-and-white answer. In a world with many shades of grey however, there are a few additional points to deliberate.
That is the easy black-and-white answer. In a world with many shades of grey however, there are a few additional points to deliberate.
You are right to gently approach your boss again. With the support of your current employer, no one will question the ethics of your job application to their client. If that client approached you directly and asked you to apply, that would be fine, too.
In an alternate scenario, however, if a potential employer heard that you went against your boss’s will to apply for that job, he or she would likely frown upon that, wondering if you might do the same thing to them in the future.
In an alternate scenario, however, if a potential employer heard that you went against your boss’s will to apply for that job, he or she would likely frown upon that, wondering if you might do the same thing to them in the future.
If your boss still says no, and you don’t want to risk things by applying for the job any way, then let this client opportunity pass.
One final thought: when you approach your boss again, have a genuine and transparent conversation with him. Be as open and honest as possible. Share how important this client opportunity is to you personally.
Sometimes we underestimate the power of authenticity. If you can help him empathize with your situation, hopefully you can change his mind.
Sometimes we underestimate the power of authenticity. If you can help him empathize with your situation, hopefully you can change his mind.
The second answer
Doug Ewen
Certified Human Resources Executive, Midland, Ont.
Managing current employers when looking for a new job can be a delicate exercise.
Given that the client job is a publicly posted position, you should feel free to apply. There are no legal or ethical issues when pursuing open positions with clients, especially in the absence of a non-complete clause.
The ethical (and possibly legal) issues arise if you steal or use proprietary information to gain an advantage for your new employer.
The ethical (and possibly legal) issues arise if you steal or use proprietary information to gain an advantage for your new employer.
Although the support of your current employer would be desirable, it is not necessary. It is important to realize that nobody is going to look after your career better than you will.
You need to be pro-active in planning and pursuing your future. Good managers and good companies will not hold you back.
You need to be pro-active in planning and pursuing your future. Good managers and good companies will not hold you back.
If you decide to apply for the client opening, I would suggest that you respectfully approach your boss once again and explain your decision.
Remind him of how this fits well with your future plans and how you would really appreciate his support. Although he may not refer you, your hope is that he would be supportive if contacted. Good luck!
Remind him of how this fits well with your future plans and how you would really appreciate his support. Although he may not refer you, your hope is that he would be supportive if contacted. Good luck!
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/careers/career-advice/article-does-a-firm-have-the-right-to-stop-an-employee-from-bidding-for-a-job/
No comments:
Post a Comment