Who's Who Women in Business

who's who women in business 21 who's who women in business 21 The Real MacKay { guess What? the forks is her faVourite Place too } By Jim Timlick Clare MacKay, The Forks North Portage Partnership W ith the exception of her family, there are few things in this world Clare MacKay loves more than travelling. The vice-president of corporate and community initiatives for The Forks North Portage Partnership has travelled extensively and has an unbridled enthusiasm for exploring new places. Still, there's no place she would rather be than Winnipeg, even when career opportunities might have beckoned her elsewhere. "I didn't want to live in Toronto. My husband and I and our children have a very good life here in Winnipeg," she says. "I didn't feel like I need to move elsewhere to create those opportunities. I love Winnipeg. We can afford a nice house and have a lifestyle that is fantastic with wide-open spaces and a vibrant arts and culture scene." MacKay oversees marketing and operations for The Forks North Portage including The Forks Market and the Target Zero recycling and waste reduction initiative. She began her career at The Forks as manager of marketing and communications, a job she held for nine years before moving into her current role in 2014. While she admits she had a lot to learn in the beginning, especially about the North Portage neighbourhood, she can't imagine any other job she'd rather have. "The Forks is like a micro city. We mow our own grass. We work to be financially self sufficient. We do all kinds of fun programming," she says. "We act as sort of a catalyst. That's what makes my job exciting; it's different every day. It also has an impact in the community and on the community. More than four million people come to The Forks every year and they all come for different reasons." MacKay took a rather circuitous route to get there. After graduating from university with a degree in criminology, she planned to become a lawyer, but quickly realized a career as a legal eagle wasn't for her. At about the same time, two women she worked with at a restaurant mentioned they were enrolled in the Creative Communications program at Red River College. MacKay decided to follow suit. Although she majored in public relations, she worked in advertising following graduation from RRC. She spent five years at Clark Communications, a boutique advertising firm, and helped the agency win a pair of Signature Awards. She later honed her public relations skills with The Fairmont Winnipeg and IQON Financial. When she's not on the job, MacKay enjoys spending time with her husband Gord and their two children, Quinn and Mahri. She is also devoted to giving back to the community. She's a past president of the Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian Public Relations Society and has sat on numerous charitable boards, including the St. Mary's Academy Foundation. She was on the 2014 JUNO Awards marketing committee, and co-chairs the 2015 Grey Cup and 2017 Canada Summer Games Marketing Committees. "I just can't say no to anyone," she laughs. "I derive a great sense of satisfaction from working on different projects. I like doing things that help my city and raise the profile of Winnipeg." • MacKay at The Forks — there's no place she would rather be. PHOTO By DARCy FINLEy

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