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10 GEORGIANVIEW 2019-20 WINTER ENTREPRENEURSHIP "I was actually working in a government job when I decided to go back to school," recalls Mallory Steele. "I was a writer at the time, and was working very closely with the programming team and thought that what they were doing looked like a lot of fun." A quick Google search opened her eyes to the potential that Georgian College offered. The college's flexible learning options allowed Mallory to work and study at the same time, and in 2015, she graduated from the college's Computer Programmer program – prepared. Even before graduating, Mallory received an offer to head up the marketing team for an organization, but after working in this position for a short period she realized she wanted something more. She opened her own company, Siva Creative, and sought out mentorship support from Georgian's Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre. Today, her company is not only thriving – it's expanding. Siva Creative currently employs 15 staff, two- thirds being Georgian graduates, with plans to grow even further. The company also accepts co-op students each year, helping to provide the same experiences that led to Mallory's own success. Mallory was recognized by the Barrie Chamber of Commerce in 2019 with a nomination for the TD Canada Trust Young Professional of the Year Award, and again in 2020 for Women of the Year: Entrepreneur. But it's not all business. The company runs a program called Coding for a Cause, where charities and nonprofit organizations can compete for donated services. The charities compete for public votes, and the winning organizations are supported with a complimentary website. Organizations wishing to learn more about this opportunity can visit sivacreative.com GEORGIAN GRAD HIRES GEORGIAN GRADS Mallory Steele – Computer Programmer, class of 2015 ENTREPRENEURSHIP