UNIVERSITY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
UPEI research project transforms into a social enterprise with real-world impact

Entrepreneur Daniel Ohaegbu arrived on Prince Edward Island in 2014 as an international student from Nigeria. He graduated from UPEI in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree and again in 2019 with a BSc with Honours in Psychology.

When working on his honours thesis, he delved into the experiences of international students at Canadian post-secondary institutions, focusing specifically on how Black African men thrive despite systemic challenges and racism. The interviews he conducted opened his eyes to the interwoven struggles and resilience within his community, but they also ignited a spark in him an entrepreneurial drive to create change. This journey of discovery laid the foundation for his work in the not-for-profit sector and ultimately inspired the creation of WorkSource Alliance. 

A forward-thinking not-for-profit organization, WorkSource Alliance, formerly the Atlantic Student Development Alliance, is dedicated to facilitating meaningful work connections and promoting inclusive organizational practices for international students and graduates. The goal is to empower talented individuals to overcome systemic barriers and unlock their potential in the workforce. 

Through tailored programs, recruitment initiatives, and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) support, WorkSource Alliance empowers a diverse pool of talented international students and graduates to thrive in both short- and long-term employment opportunities in Atlantic Canada. The organization's approach is based on research and evidence to help companies become more inclusive and provide equal opportunities to everyone.

"The candid conversations I had with other international students revealed the complex, often invisible barriers we face," said Ohaegbu, co-founder and executive director of WorkSource Alliance. "Witnessing how our experiences were both shared and uniquely challenging made it clear that there was a critical need for an organization that could bridge the gap between talent and opportunity. These moments of clarity and connection were the catalysts that pushed me to transform a research project into a social enterprise with a real-world impact."

Taking WorkSource Alliance from a concept to reality began with a good team and an understanding of the problem they were trying to solve. This meant talking to many people and conducting market research to understand the challenge better. Ohaegbu said it was not as straightforward as simply drafting a plan and doing research. He and his teammates had to decide to leave the paperwork behind and start executing the plan. This gave them momentum as they were building on all their mistakes, failures, and successes.

Ohaegbu credits his thesis supervisor and mentor at UPEI, Dr. Colleen MacQuarrie, for her support and for challenging him to create and walk his own path as a social enterprise leader. He said his co-founders Jonah Chininga, Dante Bazard, Khadija Usman, and Elizabeth Iwunwa have a strong belief in the mission of WorkSource Alliance. 

One of the biggest challenges Ohaegbu has faced as an entrepreneur is navigating the complexities of regulatory frameworks and the bureaucratic hurdles inherent in starting a social enterprise. Understanding the multifaceted needs of international students and employers is also challenging, requiring perseverance and adaptability to convince corporate partners of the mutual benefits of a more inclusive workforce. Ohaegbu and his team overcame these challenges by being flexible, listening intently to their stakeholders, and continuously refining their approach based on real feedback. 

Scaling WorkSource Alliance has been a phased process focusing on robust partnerships, expanding reach, and continuously refining service offerings. With over 1000 users on their platform, the team facilitates over 200 job connections each year, serves over 400 organizations across PEI, and establishes meaningful, long-term relationships with industry partners. In August 2024, they rebranded from "Atlantic Student Development Alliance" to "WorkSource Alliance" and expanded operations to Nova Scotia. Every step forward has been driven by their commitment to impact and innovation. 

Ohaegbu said technology is a cornerstone of their growth strategy.

"We've been able to streamline talent recruitment and improve our connectivity between our users and potential employers. Our tools help facilitate robust outreach and also provide real-time data to help us monitor our impact and adapt our strategies accordingly. Digital expansion remains a priority for us, and we're continuously exploring innovative ways to use technology to serve our community better."

Possessing an entrepreneurial mindset is also key to growth and success, he said. Resilience, adaptability, faith, courage, confidence, empathy, and authenticity are good qualities to have while embracing failure as a learning opportunity and maintaining a clear vision in the face of uncertainty.

When challenges arise, Ohaegbu said, physical exercise such as running provides the space to clear his mind and reflect on the organization's mission. This simple practice, combined with the support of his network and the inspiring impact their work has on communities, keeps him motivated and focused on the bigger picture. 

Keeping up to date with industry trends is also very important to his business. He does this through a combination of conversations with experts, attending events, leveraging insights from the feedback received from users and clients, watching the news and YouTube, reading relevant articles, and relying on the insights of his proactive team members. 

Looking back, Ohaegbu said, he wouldn't change a thing.

"Every challenge, every failure, and every small victory has played a crucial role in shaping the path we're on today. To other young entrepreneurs just getting started, I tell them they don't need to have all the pieces together. Just start. Embrace the journey, learn from every misstep, and don't be afraid to reach out for help. Every experience, good or bad, is a stepping stone toward success."

He measures success in his entrepreneurial, not-for-profit, and social enterprise journey through a dual lens externally by tracking the tangible impact on the communities they serve and internally by fostering a thriving organizational culture.

Externally, they look at specific key performance indicators such as the number of international students connected with meaningful work opportunities through their programs, feedback from employer partners, and overall reach and engagement. These metrics tell them how effectively they're breaking down barriers and making a real-world impact. 

"Internally, success is seen in the strength of our team, the innovation we nurture, and the resilience of our organizational culture," said Ohaegbu. "When our team is aligned, motivated, and continuously learning, it creates a sustainable foundation that drives our mission forward."

As for future plans, digital expansion is one of the organization's major priorities. WorkSource Alliance is working to make talent recruitment and retention even more accessible for their employer partners through innovative digital solutions. The greatest opportunities in the sector lie in harnessing the potential of people and adapting to technological advancements, especially in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). There is an opportunity to innovate how they connect talent with employers, address workforce challenges, and create more inclusive and dynamic work environments. 

"I'm excited to share that we have some groundbreaking projects in the pipeline this year. We will share more updates as we continue to evolve and expand our impact."

In April of 2024, UPEI officially opened the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship (CCCE), its student entrepreneurship centre, in the Robertson Library. Named in honour of UPEI's Chancellor Emerita Catherine Callbeck, the CCCE was made possible through gifts and contributions from the River Philip Foundation, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Innovation PEI, and the Credit Unions of PEI. The CCCE supports student entrepreneurship with programming, events, guest speakers, and other collaborative projects with community partners. To learn more about what the CCCE has to offer, visit its website.