Page 96 - Edify-Nov-Dec-2023

Why he’s Top 40 HE TRADED IN HIS RETAIL JOB SO HE COULD GIVE ALL KIDS A CHANCE TO PLAY
Sonny Sekhon had what he thought was the perfect job. For over
a decade, he was the general manager of Edmonton’s flagship Henry Singer store, helping to clothe what he calls some of the “superstars” of Edmonton.
But, when his son, Banner, was born, he thought about what the job meant to him. And it led to what he calls one of the hardest conversations he’s ever had, with Fred and Jordan Singer. He decided to leave his post.
“I’ve had the benefit of helping superstar people,” says Sekhon. “And one thing they would always say is that they wished they had spent more time, in the early days, with their little ones. You make an extra deal, you make five extra grand, 20 years later, what’s that really worth when your kids are grown?”
Sekhon has been a long-time volunteer, and now board member, with the famous Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament, held annually at West Edmonton Mall. With an extensive file of contacts from his time as a cloth- ier, he moved into a revenue-gen- erating role with Free Play for Kids, a program that offers af- ter-school childcare through free
sports programming to families in need. During the school year, coaches and mentors travel to 24 different schools to introduce kids to a variety of sports.
After a major shortfall last December cut Free Play for Kids’ budget in half, he was able to raise $100,000 in new funds, mainly from auto dealers. He’s helped bring in $600,000 in an- nual funding from the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, and deepened the organization’s relationship with the Oilers, most notably with Free Play Ambassa- dor Darnell Nurse.
“In some cases, families have left war-torn Syria or Afghanistan with nothing.
We see the emotion and the joy with the parents, because their kids are safely able to kick a ball around. I don’t know if
I’d ever be in a position to finan- cially write a cheque to make a difference. For me, putting my sweat equity into it and making partnerships that continue to grow, to give those opportunities to kids, to change sport, it’s awesome.”
And Sekhon hasn’t shed the retail bug. He still makes cameo appearances at Henry Singer. – Steven Sandor
JUDGES
TRUDY CALLAGHAN
Sheisthe publisher of Edify Edmonton and has served as a judge on each and every one of our 15 Top 40 Under 40 campaigns.
MARC CARNES
Marchasbeen the CEO of CKUA radio since 2017.
He also has a tree he named “Figgy Stardust,” which is pretty darn awesome.
ALEX HRYCIW
Alexisamem- ber of the Top 40 Under 40, class of 2022. She is the chair of the Down- town Recovery Coalition
ELAN MACDONALD
Sheisthe vice-president, External Relations for
the University of Alberta, chair of the Real Estate Council of Alber- ta, and a board director for AMII, Covenant Health and Atlas Global Brands.
AYO AIYELEYE
Heisthe director, Capital Access at Alberta Inno- vates. He was a member of the Top 40 Under 40 class of 2022.
ROSELLE GONSALVES
ShewasaTop 40 in 2022 and leads the inclu- sion and recon- ciliation efforts at ATB Financial, is a governor at Curling Canada and advises the World Curling Federation on inclusion.
Hurry hard!
LEWIS CARDINAL
Heisthe president and CEO of Cardinal Strategic Communications and has been co-chair of
the Aboriginal Commission for Human Rights and Justice.
96 EDify. NOVEMBER • DECEMBER.23
SONNY SEKHON
CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER, FREE PLAY FOR KIDS >AGE 37
HAIR AND MAKEUP MODE: DENEÉ NOEL, EMILY PHUNG AND TIIU VUORENSOLA
Cooper & O’Hara