On the evening of Tuesday, January 31, the Sobey School of Business held its inaugural Sobey Innovator Speaker Series event, featuring Founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate, Mr. Taraq Hadhad. Mr. Hadhad and his family immigrated to Canada from Syria during the Syrian War, and founded Peace by Chocolate in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Mr. Hadhad spoke to the audience about his story, instilling a message of tenacity, compassion and championing the skills of immigrants coming to Canada.
“Breaking barriers requires you to dream big,” Mr. Hadhad shared with the room full of staff, faculty, students and guests of Saint Mary’s University. “If you don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel, you need to turn it on yourself.”
The Sobey Innovator Speaker Series was developed with the help of a transformational gift, the largest in the history of Saint Mary’s University, to the School by the Sobey Family, Sobey Foundation, and Sobeys Inc. to support innovative research, experiential learning, and
meaningful connection with practice. The Speaker Series is intended to connect rising stars, disruptors, and innovators in the world of Canadian business to Sobey students, faculty and alumni.
The event comprised of Mr. Hadhad’s talk, a Q&A, and an opportunity to network. Emceeing the night was Hallie Wedge, a current Sobey School student and recipient of a Sobey National Innovator Scholarship. Mr. Hadhad was introduced by the President & Vice-Chancellor of the University, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Mr. Dave Sobey EMBA’21 of the Sobey family, and Dr. Saja Al Zoubi, a lecturer in Global Development Studies at Saint Mary’s University. Dr. Al Zoubi spoke about how refugees can contribute to the economy of their host country, if the country provides them with support.
Mr. Hadhad and his business, Peace by Chocolate, are the perfect example of what happens when refugees are given the support and incubation that they need to thrive. Mr. Hadhad spoke candidly to the room, his warmth and charisma taking attendees through his family’s story, from his father starting his chocolate business in Damascus, Syria, to losing everything during the war, to being refused entry by fifteen countries before being accepted by Canada and moving to Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Attendees were moved by Mr. Hadhad’s family’s story of hardship and unending perseverance. However, Mr. Hadhad’s talk wasn’t just his story, or advice for entrepreneurs – although he had many thoughtful pieces of advice.
“Kindness begets kindness, love begets love. Supporting immigrants and refugees is the right thing to do,” Mr. Hadhad shared with the room. The overwhelming message of his talk was of love, compassion and above all else, empathy, and we are so thankful to Mr. Hadhad for sharing both his story and his wisdom.
Thank you to all attendees of the inaugural Sobey Innovator Speaker Series!