I was raised in the heart of Siberia, in a family that cherished intelligence, lively debate, and a good sense of humor. These are values that stay with you, no matter what.
My early interests leaned towards the humanities — history, languages, and literature. However, I chose to study Economics at university to gain a deeper understanding of wealth and institutions. I left for Canada a year before completing my degree.
At 21, I arrived in Canada as an international student, alone and with only one suitcase. This experience taught me a great deal about Canada, myself, and life in general.
I've had many different jobs in Canada, including long-haul truck driving across North America, car sales, and finally, a career in finance.
The diverse weather, the miles traveled, and the back streets of industrial cities and their people have provided me with invaluable lessons and the motivation to seek a position of leadership and responsibility.
The challenges facing modern Canada are close to my heart. We have much to preserve from the past and even more to build for the future. The past nine years have shown us that we can only maintain what we have if we are willing to work for it.
Let's Bring It Home!