Aaron Harpell Email & Phone Number

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Parkdale Green Thumb Enterprises promotes Regenerative Landscaping in urban spaces by planting commercial urban green spaces with perennial plants and reviving depleted soils with natural products and methods. As a part of Working for Change, PGTE emphasizes the importance of work in the lives of people who have been marginalized due to poverty and mental health issues.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Assisting companies, organizations and individuals advance innovative solutions through the current challenges and opportunities. Enabling clients to efficiently excel in their goals through:♦Business Development♦Sales Optimization ♦Strategic Innovation and Planning♦Ideation♦Engagement & Facilitation♦Advisory support♦Resource developmentRecent focus includes:• Retail and social enterprise optimization•Garden centre solutions•Landscape industry… Show more Assisting companies, organizations and individuals advance innovative solutions through the current challenges and opportunities. Enabling clients to efficiently excel in their goals through:♦Business Development♦Sales Optimization ♦Strategic Innovation and Planning♦Ideation♦Engagement & Facilitation♦Advisory support♦Resource developmentRecent focus includes:• Retail and social enterprise optimization•Garden centre solutions•Landscape industry sustainability and business development•Community engagement Show less

Evergreen Brick Works

Oversaw the expansion and operation of Evergreen Garden Market, Evergreen’s mission driven social enterprise garden centre and retail space. Elevated internal store staffing structure and processes to maximize efficiency, profitability and visitor engagement. Developed and oversaw a full program offering. Managed Evergreen’s public Beverage program (The Sipping Container). ♦Led Evergreen Garden Market through a period of transition in order to achieve our mission and maximize… Show more Oversaw the expansion and operation of Evergreen Garden Market, Evergreen’s mission driven social enterprise garden centre and retail space. Elevated internal store staffing structure and processes to maximize efficiency, profitability and visitor engagement. Developed and oversaw a full program offering. Managed Evergreen’s public Beverage program (The Sipping Container). ♦Led Evergreen Garden Market through a period of transition in order to achieve our mission and maximize revenue generation. Elevated internal staff and recruiting external talent for specialized roles. In addition, vital upgrades to physical infrastructure and IT upgrades to financial software and Point of Sale hardware.♦Developed a series of public workshops including free, fee-for-service and funder supported (OTF and corporate funder.) Ensured staff properly executed and documented deliverables for funders. ♦Beginning in 2018, oversaw Evergreen’s public Beverage offering. Revamped operations and established new policies and procedure. Increase revenue significantly. ♦Established, trained staff across various programs (Garden Market, Beverage, Markets, onsite giving) and ensured continued diligence to cash handling best practices across Evergreen Brick Works. ♦Collaborated with the working group on the inaugural and subsequent City Builders Summit. ♦Supported major garden upgrades and revitalization as part of the Plant Positivity program (2019).♦Advisory role across various site programming (Active Living, gardens, Hospitality). ♦Led Flood Duty team in staff training including tabletop exercises, continual policy improvement, and site leadership during emergency situations. Show less

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Recruited, developed and oversaw a variety of onsite programming (Evergreen Garden Market, Active Living, Site Gardeners). At its highest point, managed 20+ employees, both direct reports and their staff) as well as volunteers that supported these programs. Led a cross-functional group dedicated to interdepartmental communication and continual improvement of Evergreen Brick Works. ♦ Chaired the Site Operations team. This cross-functional team focused upon departmental collaboration… Show more Recruited, developed and oversaw a variety of onsite programming (Evergreen Garden Market, Active Living, Site Gardeners). At its highest point, managed 20+ employees, both direct reports and their staff) as well as volunteers that supported these programs. Led a cross-functional group dedicated to interdepartmental communication and continual improvement of Evergreen Brick Works. ♦ Chaired the Site Operations team. This cross-functional team focused upon departmental collaboration to address site-based opportunities and Health & Safety concerns. Chaired until 2018.♦ Transitioned Ice Rink staff to Active Living program that included our bike program (Bike Works). Provided staff with training and growth opportunities.♦Collaborated with programming on volunteer engagement including Bike Work Advisory Council. ♦Oversaw site Gardeners and expansion of gardening offering onsite.♦Continue to manage robust growth at Evergreen Garden Market.♦Founding member of the Flood Management Team. Show less

Toronto, Canada Area

Relaunched Evergreen’s skating offering in 2013 to expand public opportunities on site. Refined and expanded Evergreen Garden Market’s operations after the successful launch. Developed fee-for-service programming offering for the public. Collaborated with internal and external partners for key site programming.♦ Executed a SWOT analysis of expanded store operations in order to meet customer needs.♦ Developed internal Garden Market staff and recruited staff to new, key… Show more Relaunched Evergreen’s skating offering in 2013 to expand public opportunities on site. Refined and expanded Evergreen Garden Market’s operations after the successful launch. Developed fee-for-service programming offering for the public. Collaborated with internal and external partners for key site programming.♦ Executed a SWOT analysis of expanded store operations in order to meet customer needs.♦ Developed internal Garden Market staff and recruited staff to new, key positions.♦ Launched a fee-for-service program offering in collaboration with our Hospitality department as well as a second offering with a third-party promotional organization. ♦ Collaborated with MOVE Expo working group to provide a retail gift shop experience as well as connect store vendors to sponsorship opportunities.♦ Managed skate programming (2013 – 2014) including staff recruitment, establish policies and procedures, develop fee for service offerings, and executed sponsorship deliverables. ♦ Lead in various capacities through three major flooding events at Evergreen Brick Works. Show less

Toronto, Canada Area

Launched a unique mission-driven retail space and garden centre, Evergreen Garden Market. This was Evergreen’s first foray into social enterprise accessible to the public. Worked across departments, consultants and contractors to open a retail experience that celebrates a locally produced, artisan and sustainable product mix. ♦ Built a new business and a new business model within Evergreen in collaboration with upper management, across various department, contractors, consultants… Show more Launched a unique mission-driven retail space and garden centre, Evergreen Garden Market. This was Evergreen’s first foray into social enterprise accessible to the public. Worked across departments, consultants and contractors to open a retail experience that celebrates a locally produced, artisan and sustainable product mix. ♦ Built a new business and a new business model within Evergreen in collaboration with upper management, across various department, contractors, consultants and vendors.♦ Instituted best practices in operations including staff recruitment and training, inventory management, financial reporting, forecasting and budgeting, Health & Safety and visitor experience.♦ Established and cultivated relationships with an initial portfolio to 125+ vendors aligned with the retail mission. Show less

Toronto, Canada Area

Delivered outstanding customer service at a pilot project garden centre at Evergreen Brick Works. • Engaged with the public to meet their gardening needs in a retail operation that celebrated urban agriculture and Ontario native plants.• Provided exceptional brand ambassadorship for Evergreen even before Evergreen Brick Works formally opened in September 2010.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Leading teams of two to five gardeners in high-end residential Garden Maintenance and Installation centred in the Toronto neighborhoods of Rosedale, Foresthill, Bridle Path and Hoggs Hollow.

Toronto, Canada Area

Part of gardening crews in high-end residential Garden Maintenance and Installation centred in the Toronto neighborhoods of Rosedale, Foresthill, and Bridle Path.