Your thoughts on winning the CanadianSME National Business Award
I’m honoured to have been named Inspirational Leader of the Year. As someone who is relentlessly focused on execution, this award is an opportunity to pause and reflect on how far I have come. It’s also an important reminder that leadership does not happen in a vacuum. It boils down to people who have extended to you the privilege of their time, attention, and energy to be a part of what you’re building. To that end, I’m incredibly grateful to my colleagues in 369 Global and beyond who I hope know that my leadership journey serves to reflect their own.
A special message or advice to small business owners
Small and medium enterprises make up over 99% of all businesses in Canada, create nearly two-thirds of the jobs in this country and contribute billions to the GDP. We are not just participants in the economy, we drive it. As SME leaders who have this incredible impact on the growth and prosperity of this country, now is the time to step up more and help build the One Canadian Economy. Let’s recognise the power of our everyday leadership in business, lean into it and lead with purpose – not just for profit, but to build lasting impact.
Kumaran Nadesan
Co-Founder and Deputy Chairman of 369 Global Inc
Kumaran Nadesan is Co-Founder and Deputy Chairman of 369 Global, a Canadian group of companies focused on talent mobility, media, and global business facilitation. A former civil servant in the Ontario Public Service, he has led initiatives in policy and innovation, partnerships and growth, and intergovernmental affairs. Kumaran has participated in national trade missions and is a vocal advocate for everyday Canadian leadership.
Named a CivicAction DiverseCity Fellow, Established Professional of the Year by the Canadian Tamil Professionals Association, and Inspirational Leader of the Year by CanadianSME National Business Awards, Kumaran possesses a rare mix of public insight and entrepreneurial drive.
