After graduating from Sault College’s Forestry Technician program in the early 1990s, Gladu went on to work in the forestry sector and is now a recognized corporate leader and supporter of Indigenous businesses.
“It’s a wonderful acknowledgement. I’m so grateful for it. It’s been beautiful. It’s nice to be able to contribute and work hard and then be recognized for it. I’m incredibly grateful. It’s a blessing,” Gladu said in a phone interview with SooToday.He is the founder and principal of Mokwateh and a Macdonald-Laurier Institute Senior Fellow.
He served as chancellor of St. Paul’s University College Waterloo from 2017 to 2020. Gladu’s achievements have been recognized by the Public Policy Forum as a prestigious 2024 Honouree.“My dad was a logger. I was a huge outdoor guy and I still am to this day," he said. Deciding to further his education, Gladu earned an undergraduate degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University, an executive MBA from Queens University, an Institute of Corporate Directors designation from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and, earlier this year, an honorary doctorate in law from Carleton University.Times have changed.
Gladu sees that as part of putting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action into effect.