An Artist’s Dent in the Universe
In this episode, I interview Jane Roos, the Founder of CAN Fund, an organization set up to help fund Canadian athletes in their pursuit of representing their nation on the Olympic stage. Jane embodies exactly what it means to take action and initiative to strive for both personal and professional excellence through the work that she does. Through hardship and adversity, Jane has had to overcome many obstacles in her life in order to find her true purpose which is firmly rooted in her passion for helping others succeed. Jane openly shares her amazing journey, the specific work that she does, and her desire to give hope and meaning to the athletes she helps to support in their Olympic quest. We recorded this one live in her art gallery in Toronto, Canada. I thoroughly enjoyed my discussion with Jane Roos.
Bio
Jane was a promising track athlete before a devastating car accident ended her athletic career at age 19. Jane turned this life lesson into helping Canadian athletes and started the Canadian Athletes Now Fund, a not-for-profit organization. As a former athlete herself, Jane saw a need. In order for Canada’s elite athletes to compete on the world stage, they must have money to pay for proper training, coaching, nutrition and living expenses.
At the 2006 Olympic Games, Jane was honored with the Live Olympic Award. This is an international Award given to only 20 people. For the past seven years, Jane has been recognized by CAAWS as one of the most Influential Women in Sport. The Globe & Mail selected Jane as one of the Most Influential People in Sport and at the 36th Canadian Sports Awards; Jane was the recipient of the Leadership in Sports Award.
In January 2010, knowing a Gold medal has never been won on Canadian soil, CAN Fund launched the Sprott Gold Metal Celebration. For every GOLD medal won by a Canadian athlete, $100,000 would be donated by Sprott Asset Management and the Sprott Foundation to CAN Fund to support athletes training for London 2012. CAN Fund directly supported 80% of the Canadian athletes who competed in Sochi and has raised over $21 million dollars to date.
Jane is also a very successful artist with “See Jane Paint”. Her paintings are sold across Canada and New York, and she has created a number of commission paintings for corporate Canada and charity.
Owner of the Jane Roos Gallery, which recently opened in downtown Toronto, Jane exhibits her paintings and other Canadian artists.
There is no straight line with Jane; all of her varied experiences have shaped her unique perspective as an entrepreneur, artist, speaker and human being. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two daughters.
Connect with Jane
Twitter: @janeroosgallery @CANFUND
Website: myCANFund.ca janeroosgallery.com
Themes Discussed
The Meaning of Work, Creativity, CANFUND, Purpose, Hardship and Adversity, Striving for Excellence