Words with friends
With our calendars now turned to 2023, we asked Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) alumni for a word or phrase that is uppermost in their minds. Whether they express a resolution, an affirmation, a hope or a thought, these watchwords are worth keeping in mind as we leap into the new year.
Founder, FKB Media Solutions
Journalism ’93
My word for 2023 is: Patience
It’s one of the hardest things to do — to have patience. Whether it’s with your children, your partner, your co-workers, strangers, situations, life and especially yourself — you must be able to exercise patience or you will never succeed. It’s something to practice, develop and master. Each time I’ve practiced patience, it has paid off. “A patient person never misses a thing.” — Swahili proverb
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A veteran television producer and writer, Fennella Bruce is now at the helm of FKB Media Solutions (external link, opens in new window) and FKB Media Productions Inc — a media consulting business and a media production house. Having worked in the field of journalism for over 20 years, Fennella has produced both of Canada’s national morning shows — Your Morning and Canada AM. She has been the senior writer or producer at numerous major market television stations including: CTV News Channel, CTV National, CP24, CityTv, Toronto 1 and BET. In 2022, Fennella received a Women Empower Award — Businesswoman of the Year.
Chief Innovation Officer & Co-Founder, Blade Air
Master of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering ’22
My word for 2023 is: Anyways
The reason I identify with this word is that in my experience as an entrepreneur, or generally in life, when something is worth doing, it is rarely easy or without setbacks. Life will give you infinite reasons to not succeed: succeed anyways.
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Joe Fida is an entrepreneur with extensive experience in product development and optimization. He has been involved in a number of successful startups and is one of the founders of Blade Air (external link, opens in new window) , a leading Canadian manufacturer of commercial indoor air quality solutions in over 50 million square feet of building spaces across Canada, and a trusted supplier and preferred vendor of the Canadian government. Joe is responsible for the development of all new products, as well as the innovation and continued optimization and development of current products. In 2022, Joe was recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30.
Filmmaker
Masters of Documentary Media ’10
My word for 2023 is: IsKoTew (fire)
My Spirit Name is Woman who Holds Fire. My internal flame (soul) continues to burn with my Ancestral teachings and the love for my community.
My phrase for 2023: Face your fears!
Since I was a little girl, I have consistently encouraged myself to face my fears. I believe that my success in life is fueled by my need to grow as a person and to forever be a student of life.
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Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin is an InNiNew IsKwew (Cree woman) and a band member of Attawapiskat First Nation. Jules was raised by her Cree speaking grandparents in Moosonee, as well as in Ottawa with her mother, a residential school warrior. She is the mother of four incredible sons, a published writer, performance artist, academic and award-winning filmmaker. She completed her PhD with the Institute of Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice program at UBC with a focus on Indigenous documentary practices. Jules has also been actively working with Indigenous community supporting those who face barriers. In 2022, Jules was named in Variety’s 10 Canadians to Watch (external link, opens in new window) .
Chief Justice of Ontario and President of the Court of Appeal for Ontario
Honorary Doctor of Laws ’18
My word for 2023 is: Attitude
Over the course of my life, I have learned that one’s attitude towards any given situation will determine the nature of the outcome. Be it an attitude of forgiveness, of hate, of love, of contrition, of understanding, or of empathy. Our attitude will always determine how we respond and react to challenges that we face in our lives. As Winston Churchill observed: “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”, and similarly, Albert Einstein: “Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character”.
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The Honourable Justice Michael H. Tulloch has a long and distinguished career of service as a member of the Canadian judiciary, a Crown prosecutor, a lawyer in private practice, and as a renowned writer, speaker and professor. In December 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Michael to the role of Chief Justice of Ontario and President of the Court of Appeal for Ontario, the first Black Canadian to hold this top position. In 2022, Michael was named in 100 Most Influential Black Canadians (external link, opens in new window) .