Janice Ashworth, general manager, Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-op

2017 Forty Under 40 recipient

Janice Ashworth
Janice Ashworth

Age: 32

Company: We generate green energy through community investments.

Education: Master of environmental studies. Dalhousie University (2010)

OBJ360 (Sponsored)

Charitable involvement: Ecology Ottawa

Biggest biz achievement: Raising $7 million in investments from individuals in Ottawa and spending all that money on local solar energy projects.

Biggest biz obstacle: Developing viable renewable energy projects.

Biggest influence: The founding directors of OREC for their vision, commitment, knowledge and good nature!

Biggest lesson learned: Find the experts who want to work with you. Don’t try to do everything from scratch.  

First job: Gymnastics coach

Advice I’d give the younger me: Be patient. Embrace failures. Question defensiveness. Know when to compromise and when not to.

What’s left to do: Continue to learn. Live lightly. Speak up. Leave a positive impact. Create a local investment co-op. Support a co-op farm. House climate refugees. Laugh. Dance.

Favourite pastime: Trail running

I’m currently reading: The Burning Answer: A User’s Guide to the Solar Revolution by Keith Barnham

Favourite movie: Moulin Rouge

Favourite song: Lost Balloons by Caledonia

Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Fury FC

Favourite local summer event: CityFolk

Preferred social media platform: Facebook

Company Twitter handle: @ORECoop

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