(Heather and Dan Desjardins of Stittsville attended the February 13, 2020 Women’s Business Network reception at which Heather learned she was a nominated finalist to receive the Businesswomen of the Year Award in the Established Entrepreneur category. Photo: provided)
Heather Desjardins, Stittsville resident and owner of The Open Door Educational Services, has been recognized yet again for her professionalism and the services Open Door provides to children who have learning disabilities. Last week you may have caught the action on Heather’s street when visited by members of the Women’s Business Network (WBN). The women visited her home to congratulate her on being chosen to receive the Ottawa Businesswoman of the Year Award in the Established Entrepreneur category and to also present various gifts to Heather.
There were four categories for the awards (Emerging Entrepreneur, Established Entrepreneur, Professional Services and Organization) with 240 women nominated and twelve finalists selected to win an award.
In February 2020, a reception was held at which the WBN announced who from the nominees were going to be the three finalists for each category. Heather told Stittsville Central, “I’ll tell you I honestly did NOT expect to be a finalist that night, let alone a winner now!”.
Due to COVID-19, the presentation gala for 2021 was cancelled, but the finalists will be celebrated at the 2022 Gala for the 2021 Businesswomen of the Year winners at which time Heather will receive her award.
“It really is such an amazing honour to be amongst such extraordinary women. All the finalists are remarkable and have accomplished so much.
I’m so grateful to my amazing team for being so instrumental in making The Open Door what it is today, and I’m so thankful for my husband for believing in me right from the start,” Heather shared with us.
This is not the first award that Heather has received. Stittsville Central brought you her stories in March 2019 when she was awarded the Bootstrap Award as Entrepreneur of the Year and in July 2019, she was honoured with the Forty Under 40 award, being recognized as a business leader under the age of 40.
Heather and her staff teach and help others, demonstrating a passion and spirit that motivates all clients to succeed and read through online specialized tutoring and assessments. Visit The Open Door Educational Services to learn if they can help you and your child develop a brighter future. For multiple terms, Heather also served as Chair of the Learning Disabilities Association of Ottawa-Carleton.
Well done. Félicitations!