Rose Shikatani has just started her sixth year with Young Associates on a part-time basis. The transition from working in the commercial sector to the charities and not-for-profit world continues to be a wonderful experience. She feels that it’s afforded her a great sense of contribution to the efforts that they make to bring culture, art, history, dance and theatre to all Canadians. “The essentially supportive role that I play in the fabric of their organization is really quite humbling when I see how dedicated they are to making their organization the absolute best that it can be.”

While studying Design & Communications at OCA (now OCAD) Rose left to pursue a career with a typesetting company because she’s fascinated with type and how effective it is in graphic design and visual communications. While there she got into the accounting side of the business and never looked back. College courses in Accounting have increased her knowledge and abilities in accounts management to help support her clients.

For many years she was the Administrative Director for one of Canada’s leading design studios with a staff of 60+ designers, production artists and account managers. There she learned, among other things, about the dynamics of human resources, allowing her to offer instruction and advise to clients in managing their own staffing and the issues that they face with hiring, firing, payroll, benefits and policy. Rose enjoys the challenges of accounts management and the best parts of her workday are when things balance – “I love it when that happens and it happens all the time!”

For the past 10 years she’s also worked with a leadership training and self-development company that has helped many executives/managers reach success in their careers and everyday people find happiness and fulfillment in their lives. She’s working towards co-establishing a counseling/referral/resource service for young adults who are making the transition from school to working life or who are stuck in choosing a career path.

Rose is a “foody” and enjoys dining with family and friends, whether it’s big dinner parties for 25 at home or intimate dinners out.

Rose’s clients include: The Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf, which operates the Deaf Culture Centre, The Town of York Historical Society, which operates Toronto’s First Post Office, Gallery TPW, Dancemakers, and Expect Theatre.