Former Grenfell resident Rich Harries has received a prestigious award worth $10,000, and his grandmother Mavis was excited to let Grenfell residents know how far her grandson has come since leaving town years ago. Unbeknownst to her, Harries was far more interested in letting everyone know that Mavis is the main reason for his success.
“She was very proud that I won the award and wanted it made public, but it’s really because of her that I was able to accomplish it,” Harries said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to accomplish a lot, because of the type of person that she made me.”
Harries’ grandmother took him in when he was four or five years old, along with his sister Jennifer who is two years his junior. She raised them on her own, as her husband passed away when the children were very young.
“She was in her mid-fifties when she took us in, so she gave up her golden years to raise her grandkids, and really put us before herself,” Harries said. “I think the reason that I’ve been successful is because of the values that she instilled in me.”
Harries recently received the National Young Leaders Awards, which provides a $10,000 scholarship to cover tuition and travel costs to attend a leadership development program at a university in Canada. He plans to attend a leadership program either at Queens University or the Richard Ivey School of Business, two of the top schools in the country, a rare opportunity for someone who just recently turned thirty.
“It’s not something that I would be able to take on my own. Usually it’s an opportunity that’s only available to executives or CEO’s of organizations,” Harries said.
Harries lived in Grenfell for close to 20 years, after which he moved to Regina to go to school. He was originally pursuing police studies, but when that didn’t pan out he thought of his previous job with the Credit Union.
“I actually worked at the Credit Union in Grenfell in high school as part of a work experience program, and I really liked it,” he said.
He has worked in the credit union system since 2002, and began his career with Affinity Credit Union in 2006, acting as Agricultural Account Manager. From there, he became the Business Development Manager and landed the role of Community Development Manager in 2009. He is currently the Vice President of the Credit Union Managers Association and Director of Administration for the Saskatchewan Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs.
“I hope to continue working in the credit union system, to continue to advance. I’ve been lucky – every few years I seem to be getting a different opportunity,” Harries added.
Despite all the hard work it has taken him to get where he is today, he insists none of it would have been possible if it wasn’t for his grandmother Mavis.
“Without her, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today, and who knows where I would be. She was able to provide us with a life that we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to have. It’s 100% due to her, what I’ve been able to accomplish.”
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