Issue link: http://georgiancollege.uberflip.com/i/1226064
Cassandra graduated from Georgian College's Interior Design program in 2005, and at the age of just 23, wrote the Tarion exams to become a registered homebuilder. Before turning 25, she had launched two successful building and design companies, one of which, William Standen Co., was named one of the country's fastest growing companies by PROFIT Magazine in 2013 and again in 2016. In 2014, Cassandra was named among the Top 30 under 30 in North America in the kitchen and bath industry. In 2016 she was named one of the Top Female Entrepreneurs in Canada on the W100 list ranked by Profit and Canadian Business Magazine, as well as a PROFIT 500 CEO for leading the fourth fastest- growing company in Canada for consumer services and construction. Her work has been featured in several publications, as well as on HGTV Canada. Since 2013, her company has been receiving awards for its green projects in provincial, national and North American competitions. The company is a leader in green design and the first certified eco-friendly custom cabinet provider in Southwestern Ontario. In 2018, Cassandra's company digitized its model, brought it online and launched its own line of curated home goods in the form of an online shop. They now have thousands of luxury and eco-friendly furniture and home goods that ship across the country. She also believes in paying her success forward. Cassandra supports non-profit organizations throughout Southwestern Ontario and beyond, including creating kitchens and bathrooms for Habitat for Humanity houses and holding fundraising events for Women's Interval Home. She mentors female high school students through a program called Just Own It and funds a student scholarship at Georgian College. Cassandra's advice to anyone considering a career in the design sector is simple: "I am such a big believer in following your passion and being true to yourself," she notes. "There will be many roadblocks along the way that tell you how to proceed or that you can't get to where you want to go. Don't let them define you." INTERIOR DESIGN, 2005 CEO AND CO-FOUNDER, WILLIAM STANDEN CO. CASSANDRA NORDELL 2019 PREMIER'S AWARD NOMINEE CREATIVE ARTS AND DESIGN CATEGORY 23 GEORGIANVIEW 2019-20 WINTER PREMIER'S AWARDS