Lorne Ruffell

I know it's a cliche but I have to love what I do. For almost 10 years, this was teaching English in Japan and Korea. Teaching allowed me to travel extensively, make friends from around the world, and to learn about myself and my values. Every day is a new experience in Asia. But as a long-term expatriate, I increasingly felt the frustration of being an outsider in countries that at their core are not as sensitive to multiculturalism and diversity as Canada.

I don't really like the word "gifted" but the life challenge is that there are too many things at which you could potentially excel. The only way is to focus on what really turns you on. Teaching and PR both require a balance between my creative side and my analytical side which is why I love them both and why I transitioned from the classroom to the boardroom.