JENNIFER DE ROSE

Inspired by the Flow of Life

My journey began as a curious young girl who found magic in the dirt, wonder in the wings of insects, and solace in the quiet wisdom of the trees. The forests, fields, and bogs of Caledon, Ontario were more than a playground—they were sacred ground. There, I first understood the intricate intelligence of ecosystems and felt the undeniable connection between all living things.

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Growing up in a small, close-knit farm town instilled in me a deep sense of community and interdependence. I was adopted and raised by two entrepreneurs whose grit, creativity, and devotion to family shaped my understanding of integrity and impact. Caledon’s spirit—rooted in progressive environmentalism and collective stewardship—lit the early fire of community action in me. As a teen, I volunteered with groups like the Caledon Countryside Alliance and Earth Rangers, experiences that shaped my foundational belief: we each carry responsibility for the world we live in.

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That belief became my compass. In high school, I was selected for an innovative outdoor leadership program, trading classrooms for rivers, trails, and leadership training. I pursued that path at Sault College in Northern Ontario, where I studied Parks and Outdoor Recreation. Summers were spent guiding backcountry canoe trips and winters climbing frozen waterfalls. Weekends were for tracking wildlife and teaching others to listen to themselves and connect with the land. These formative years shaped not only my career, but my worldview—one rooted in curiosity, courage, and reverence for the Earth and the importance of community.

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In 2005, a visit to China alongside my father’s LED lighting business opened a new chapter. Drawn to the limestone karsts and close-knit climbing community of rural Yangshuo, I joined ChinaClimb as a guide and outdoor educator. That spark grew into a movement. We pioneered new climbing areas and routes, training educators, and created immersive educational learning experiences across Asia.

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What followed was a career of bold climbs and meaningful connections—from sipping tea with Tibetan monks in remote Himalayan valleys to advocating for global education at international events in Beijing, Dubai, and New York. Whether speaking with students from the Bronx or collaborating with global leaders, my focus remained constant: build bridges, unlock access, and design programs that reconnect people with each other, with a shared purpose of collective wellbeing.

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​I've been fortunate to walk this path alongside extraordinary mentors and visionary teams whose trust empowered me to lead with clarity, evolve with purpose, and remain grounded in service. Living in remote villages and learning from Indigenous communities across Asia profoundly shaped my worldview. Their hospitality and traditional knowledge offered not only wisdom but tangible solutions to many of today’s complex challenges. These lived experiences instilled in me a deep, lived understanding of sustainability—not just as a strategy, but as a way of being.

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Life has been my greatest teacher. Becoming a single mother and navigating a life-threatening medical crisis became defining chapters, forcing me to slow down, let go, and reimagine what strength truly means. These experiences didn’t break me, they revealed me. They stripped away old expectations and invited me to lead from a place of wholeness, not just willpower. In the process, I discovered a deeper alignment with myself and a renewed commitment to living and leading with bold vision and grounded purpose. Like the art of Tibetan sand mandalas, I now honor life’s impermanence—finding beauty in the process, purpose in the present, and power in showing up fully as I am.

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Today, I’m raising my son in Honolulu, where innovation thrives alongside ancestral knowledge, and where the land and ocean teach balance, resilience, and respect. Here, I’ve found the rhythm between personal calling and professional purpose. Immersed in a tech ecosystem that mirrors my values of community connection, environmental stewardship, and forward-thinking solutions.

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I wake up grateful to contribute to movements that reflect my deepest truths. And I remain steadfast in my commitment to help others bring their boldest ideas to life—not just with strategy and execution, but with heart, clarity, and the courage to build a future that serves everyone.

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