2017 Rosalind Smith Business Award Winner – Donna Chen – Tim Hortons

Ms. Chen was born in Jamaica West Indies. Through her determination she propelled into becoming a successful entrepreneur in Canada. For well over 30 years, Ms. Chen has occupied several offices at varying level of the service industry. In 2006 she realized her long time goal of owning her own business. She became an owner & operator of a Tim Hortons, Canada’s in Invermere B.C. She now owns 3 Tim Hortons locations in Leduc. Donna is a firm believer in clear goal setting.

In 2009 she was one of the first franchise owners in Canada to utilize the Foreign Workers Program. She created an opportunity for hard working Jamaicans back home to come to Canada and build the economy here. She served as Rotarian in Inveremere BC. & has done significant work with the Family Resource Centre, where she serves on the Board of Directors. The desire to serve women facing particular challenges in our communities is very important to her.

She currently serves on the board of “Rise-up Society” Alberta in Leduc. The goal is to bring hope & healing to those impacted by domestic abuse. She serves as an Ambassador for Tim Hortons Foundation which enables over 19,000 children to attend camp each year. Her focus continues to be on,” possibilities not problems”. This mindset has aided to cement her in the Dias-pora of time as a strong Black Woman. A quote she often shares is that “The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not fighting the old, but on building the new”.