Justin learned his work ethic from his family.  His father was raised on a farm and handed down his sense of grit.  On Justin’s mother’s side, his grandparents immigrated to Canada from the former Yugoslavia with very little, working incredibly hard to give their daughter the chance to pursue an education.  

When Justin’s opportunity arrived, he embraced it – participating in debate club, model UN and playing in the band, for example, in high school.  Anything that got him talking or in front of people.  His interest in politics and history later led him to York University, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in those fields.

Although he enjoyed his studies, Justin didn’t see himself in academia long-term. Shifting into the business world felt natural. “There’s a lot of talking and economics in business. Perfect,” he says.  And so he earned a Master’s in Management from the Schulich School of Business.

The most valuable graduation gift he received was self-taught:  values matter.  “There was no shortage of people putting the bottom line above everything,” he says.  “That never sat right with me. I want to feel proud of the work I do every day.” 

And so he was attracted to Ardill Group by its brand foundation, which includes elements such as We find solutions that are best for the client, not best for us. Another favourite?  We are independent from institutional thinking.  “We don’t tell our clients, ‘We can’t do that because we have never done it,’ says Justin.  “We tell them, ‘We can do that, because it’s best for you.’”

There is the family work ethic story that drives Justin, and also his faith background.  He is a youth leader at his church, working with young people in grades 6, 7 and 8, and also helps run a young adults group.  In his spare time, he loves listening to audio books and playing board games – especially Axis & Allies.  

What kind of boardgame is Axis & Allies?  It’s a “We are going to sit in a basement for 12 hours, and play this boardgame, and it will not even be halfway done kind of boardgame,” Justin says.  

For some people, it sounds like a game that really would take a work ethic.  For Justin, as with his work with Ardill Group, it is nothing but fun.