Martin Scherer, Manager of Engineering Outreach Activities, University of Waterloo

Martin Scherer,
Manager of Engineering Outreach Activities, University of Waterloo

Leadership Waterloo Region Class of 2013

My father was from Kitchener, his parents were from Kitchener, and the generations before him were from the Region. It was only natural that eventually I too would find myself living and working in the Region.

Because of my family, because of my job I felt I knew the city and I felt I knew leadership. Leadership Waterloo Region showed me that I still had a lot to learn.

Through the network of experts, and various locations that classes were held in, Leadership Waterloo opened my eyes to how various aspects of leadership impact and influence community. I visited areas of the Region I had never given much more than a passing thought to. In these locations I learned how these programs not only operate, but how they flourish. In my classmates, I meet a truly diverse group of people from various industries and walks of life that I would never have crossed paths with otherwise.

I entered the program thinking that it would confirm what I knew about my community and what leadership is. I left the program humbled, and with a deeper, richer understanding of these topics. I know now that I still have a lot to learn, but I now have the tools and strong foundation to do so.

Most importantly I left the confidence to make meaningful change in the places that I call home.

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