Community Highlight

In today's post, we are highlighting Gabriella Kratchanov. Gabriella is an  lawyer with Ottawa based firm Spiteri & Ursulak LLP. Gabriella poses a strong business acumen and focuses on building trusted relationships with her clients. In her off time off she enjoys going to crossfit and  volunteering with local charities. As a young professional, Gabriella appreciates the lifestyle Ottawa has to offer and has belief in the future of the city. 

We asked Gabriella a few questions about her career and  living in Ottawa:

What made you decided to live in the National Capital Region?
I am a native of Ottawa, having grown up in Kanata. As a teenager and young adult, I had dreamed of living in a big city such as NYC or Toronto. After university, I decided to live abroad, leaving Ottawa and moving to Canterbury, England (an even smaller town then Ottawa). After my two years in Canterbury, England, I realized how fortunate I was to come from an amazing city like Ottawa. A city that can give you that big city feeling, but also a warm, welcoming atmosphere when you hit up the local coffee shops, restaurants and trendy neighbourhoods.
 
How did you choose your career path?
During high school, I took two legal courses, taught by an extraordinary teacher who was genuinely passionate about law. This sparked my interest in becoming a lawyer. After completing my undergraduate in Finance at the University of Ottawa, I further realized that business and law were a great combination. This pushed me even more to pursue this aspiration. Now, I feel privileged to be able to assist people in key moments of their life.
 
What does an inspiring life look like to you?
A person who leads an inspiring life, for me, is someone who is well balanced. For me, this includes an individual who can find time to give back in their community through volunteer and donations; someone who has a fulfilling career which helps society; and someone who spends time with their family and friends.
 
When your business faces adversity, how do you respond?
I attempt to stay positive and optimistic, by also planning and preparing for the worse.
 
What is the best advice that you have been given?
Although this may be a cliché saying, the best advice I have received is that there is no substitute for hard work. I have never been the most intelligent person in a room, but I have always tried to be the hardest working individual. Dedication, hard work and drive will take you a long way!