Navigating the Social Economy

Addressing persistent and complex social problems involves collaboration across different levels of government, charities, and the not-for-profit and private sectors. New and innovative approaches to business and community building can lead to a more prosperous nation, both financially and socially. In support of this notion, the Government of Canada has released a Social Innovation and Social Finance strategy to mobilize private capital for the public good, bringing with it a promise of increased and innovative support for registered charities, non-profit organizations, co-operatives and businesses that consider the social effects of their activities.

Directors and CEOs in private, not-for-profit and public sectors have an opportunity to increase the impact of their organizations through social innovation, social finance and social enterprise strategies. During this engaging evening, we will hear a compelling story from an experienced CEO whose enterprise supports refugees and economic development in Canada. We will also hear from a diverse panel of local board directors, professionals and management who are engaged in social enterprise on Prince Edward Island. We will explore key issues board directors must grapple with when governing a social enterprise or considering a social finance strategy, including tax compliance risks, measuring social return on investment, and managing tensions among stakeholder interests, shareholder expectations and public good outcomes.

PEACEFUL ENTERPRISE: Keynote Speaker Tareq Hadhad of Peace by Chocolate
Tareq Hadhad is the founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate. He was a Syrian refugee who now lives his new life with his entrepreneurial family on Canada’s East Coast. He is the recipient of Start Up Canada’s National Newcomer Entrepreneur Award, was named one of the Top 25 Immigrants in the Maritimes and selected by Google as the National Hero Case for 2018.

Passionate about peace and entrepreneurship, his family relaunched the family chocolate-making business to recreate the chocolates they once exported across the Middle East, and their story turned into an international inspiring phenomenon. Tareq and his family focus on job creation, utilizing a network of local community members and refugees from across Nova Scotia and Canada to help support the local economy.

In September 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opened his speech to the United Nations Leaders’ Summit on Refugees detailing the family’s success story.

Tareq has spoken at Amnesty International’s Human Rights Conference, TEDx events and Chambers of Commerce Dinners. He has given keynote presentations in Jamaica and London, England, and spoken to several corporate and government organizations. Tareq speaks about the compelling story of his family and the positive financial and social returns of his enterprise.

PANEL DISCUSSION: Governing in the Social Economy from the Private, Charitable, Not-for-Profit and Public Sector Perspective
Tareq Hadhad will be joined by board directors, management and policy advisors from:

• a local charity – The PEI Reach Foundation
• a local business – Mi’kmaq Printing and Design,
• and the public sector

They will discuss the challenges and benefits of navigating the dual role of creating wealth and improving society.

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND’S ONLY CERTIFIED B CORP: Upstreet Craft Brewing
We are pleased to host this event at Prince Edward Island’s first and only Certified B Corporation. Upstreet Craft Brewing is a local business with a commitment to grow and refresh its community. As a Certified B Corporation, Upstreet is part of a global movement of leaders that find innovative ways to use business as a force for good. They meet the highest standards of overall social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability, and aspire to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. Special thanks to Upstreet for providing this apt and comfortable venue.