Local businesswoman honoured with award

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This article was published 06/07/2011 (5175 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Businesswoman Tracy Ducharme has always strived to make a difference, and she was recently honoured for her work.

Ducharme, 37, is the president and founder of Veritus Disability & Career Management Inc. located on Gateway Road in East Kildonan.

The company, which was established in 2006, provides disability and career management to those who have sustained an injury, illness or disability.

Ducharme was awarded the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the category of Emerging Business. The award was presented earlier this spring by the Women Business Owners of Manitoba.

Her passion for supporting individuals with disabilities began in high school when she volunteered at St. Amant Centre.

Ducharme went on to obtain a degree in Community Rehab and Disability Studies at the University of Calgary.

When it came time to start her own company, Ducharme was adamant that it needed to be different from other similar enterprises. Hence the name Veritus, which is a combination of three Latin words meaning innovative, professional, and reliable.

“We help people regain their independence, and feel good about themselves,” said Ducharme, who lives in East St. Paul. “Really, I have the best job in the world.”

Going through the submission process for the award was a good opportunity for Ducharme to look back at the previous five years.

“It was very exciting,” she said. “The process of going through the submission helped me see all we have done over the years and the impact we’ve had on people’s lives.”

When Ducharme launched Veritus she was its sole employee. She now has three other employees working for her.

“It’s great to see the growth, and the potential of growth,” she said. “They say surround yourself with great people, and that’s what I do.”

While individuals who have been injured and need to be transitioned back into the work force make up the bulk of its clients, Veritus also helps non-injured individuals with career planning.

Christine Dubyts, past president of WBOM, said that Ducharme was a deserving recipient of the award.

“They provide a valuable service in terms of helping people get back to work through their disability management,” Dubyts said.

“Also in their career management helping people get to work. Any service that offers those two are certainly helping the community from an economic standpoint for sure.”

In addition to helping clients, Du­char­me’s company is also trying to have an impact on the community at large. Each year it chooses a charitable organization to provide assistance to.

“Volunteerism is a big part of our organization. We like giving back to the community,” she said.

adrian.alleyne@canstarnews.com