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People of Collingwood: Prerna Sharma, manager of economic development with the Town of Collingwood
She moved halfway across the world to pursue higher education, and has now settled in Collingwood.
For this week’s edition of People of Collingwood, we spoke with Prerna Sharma, 29, manager of economic development with the Town of Collingwood.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in India, in the northern part.
I did a bachelor’s of computer science and engineering in India. I worked for a few years as a data analyst with PepsiCo there. I liked data analysis.
I saw Georgian College in Barrie offered a data analytics program. That’s when I started planning my move to Canada.
I moved to Canada in December 2019, right before the pandemic. I was really lucky. (laughs)
Q: Did you always know you wanted to move out of India?
A: I always wanted to leave India for higher education. Whereabouts was decided by the program.
I wanted to explore different geographies. I’ve always loved exploring new places.
After graduating, I had lots of technical knowledge, but I really wanted to understand the business side. I started exploring master’s programs. I found the business program at the Schulich School of Business at York University.
Because this was during the pandemic, there were some professors and classmates I didn’t meet until convocation. I feel lucky I came right before the world closed down.
Q: Where did life take you after that?
A: I was looking all over for job opportunities, just like every graduate.
I stumbled upon an opportunity with the City of Orillia.
Based on my childhood, I value giving back to the community. It’s been ingrained in me by my parents. It stuck with me, and I knew I wanted to transition into public service.
I was an IT analyst. I was happy I learned about the public service side.
Through the City of Orillia, I was introduced to the economic development side of things. I fell in love from the get-go.
It is very satisfying to see the impact you make in the community.
In economic development, it can be as simple as connecting a business with local supports, or as complicated as organizing business support programs.
I’m a constant learner.
I was eventually promoted to manager of the Orillia business accelerator program, also with the city. It served the neighbouring communities as well.
Since then, it’s been a climb, jumping to the next step, exploring different communities.
Q: You’re the Town of Collingwood’s new manager of economic development. When was your actual start date?
A: June 9.
Q: Why is economic development important?
A: How I see economic development in a community is, if a municipality were a human body, economic development would be the heart.
It keeps it thriving, growing and vibrant.
There are so many business ideas floating around. With just a little bit of support, you can see the wonder happening in the community.
Q: After a month and a half, what are your first impressions of the town?
A: So far, I’m loving it.
The more I read and research, get out in the community and talk to different people, this is a forward-thinking community and people here are passionate about what they’re doing.
All the different agencies supporting businesses — the Collingwood BIA, Small Business Enterprise Centre, Community Futures, etc., the Georgian Bay Business Accelerator — all exist in the same building. They’re working so collaboratively.
We’re able to provide holistic support to our businesses. It’s a one-stop shop.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I love being outdoors.
In summer, I’m camping, kayaking or canoeing. My husband and I are big campers. We have provincial park spots booked for the whole season.
In the winter, I do yoga and meditation.
Skiing was introduced to me by my husband — he loves skiing at Blue Mountain. Now, every year, we’re up at Blue.
I love exploring different communities and geographies. Even now, I love visiting different provinces and communities and support local as often as possible.
When I’m not working in economic development, I’m working to promote economic development. I visit markets, farms, etc., to try to find those hidden gems in different communities.
When we have visitors to our home, I also try to gift a bundle of local products.
I can’t leave the work of economic development behind me. (laughs)
Q: Is there anything else you want people in Collingwood to know about you?
A: I love meeting people. I’m big on collaboration.
My door is always open to anyone who wants to chat about the progress of economic development or brainstorm ideas about a new business. I’m always there to talk and help our community to push it forward.
For our feature People of Collingwood, we speak with interesting people who are either from or are contributing to the Collingwood community in some way, letting them tell their own stories in their own words. This feature runs on CollingwoodToday every weekend. If you’d like to nominate or suggest someone to be featured in People of Collingwood, email [email protected].
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