News & Stories

Welcome to our News & Stories section, where we share client journeys, participant wins, program highlights, community updates, and moments from Rise’s work over the years.

Here, you’ll find stories that reflect the people, programs, and partnerships shaping our community, from recent news to past milestones worth revisiting.

 
 
MICKY

Meet Miodrag Kovacic: Kovacic Truffles Inc.

Miodrag “Mikki” Kovacic turned hardship into hope, building Kovacic Truffles after years of homelessness, addiction, and recovery. With support from Rise, he created a business that reflects resilience, family, and second chances.
YELLOW BRUCE

Meet a Rise Champion: LIFT Impact Partners

LIFT Impact Partners began working with Rise in 2016 to help strengthen our impact measurement, build capacity and scale nationally. In 2025, they were awarded our Dave Richardson Champion Award.
Rise client Dawn Kloster

Meet Dawn Kloster: Infinity Wellness Pop-ups

Dawn Kloster built Infinity Wellness Pop-ups to create the kind of healing, community space she once needed herself. With support from Rise, she's turned that vision into a growing business rooted in connection.
mariam

Meet Mariam Oyinloye: Abimbola

As a teen, Mariam Oyinloye founded her eco-friendly menstrual care brand, Abimbola. With support from the Youth Small Business Program, she's built her confidence and her leadership skills and is now building her business.
adwoa

Rise Welcomes Adwoa K. Buahene as CEO!

The strategic leader joins Rise at a time when its mission to empower people with mental health and addiction challenges through entrepreneurship is more important than ever.
2025 Rotman Awards thumbnail

2025 Rotman Family Entrepreneurship Awards

At the 2025 Rotman Family Entrepreneurship Awards, we honoured three inspiring entrepreneurs, one remarkable volunteer, and a partner that helped us chart the path forward to today.
Image of Rise champion, Martin Traub-Werner

Meet a Rise Champion: Martin Traub-Werner

What's volunteer mentor Martin Traub-Werner's advice for mentoring partnerships? “One, be invested but understand that it’s not your journey … Two, be available, be flexible, be realistic, and be a cheerleader … Three, listen a lot and be grateful.”
Headshot of Rise volunteer Shaun Pingitore

Meet a Rise Volunteer: Shaun Pingitore

Shaun Pingitore volunteers with Rise because he understands the value of mentorship. He's experienced it firsthand as an entrepreneur and says helping others to succeed is "the most satisfying feeling."
lady

Meet Reham Teama: Teama Publishing

With support from the Rise Small Business Lending Program, Reham Teama has not only turned her life story into a book series but also translated it into a successful business in the publishing industry.