Nicole Graham, 32, is the marketing director and a partner at VS Group. A graduate of Canadore College, she is on the alumni association board of directors, is a guest lecturer, and chairs the Graphic Design advisory committee.

Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?
A: Being able to uphold the ethics I stand behind in design and accountability with my customers' projects. Having obtained my RGD designation in 2003 was an accomplishment. However, working my way up through the ranks in the marketing industry, from design graduate to promotional products designer, to international package designer to creative director of a local advertising firm, to finally marketing director of our own firm is the icing on the cake for me.

Q: Who is your most valued mentor?
A: My fiancé Vincent Shank, founder of VS Group, is my most valued mentor. Although he doesn't think of himself as a "creative type," he is definitely the most inspirational entrepreneur a designer could hope to have as a mentor.

Q: What do you love most about North Bay
      and area ?
A: We own a farm about 25 minutes outside of North Bay in Rutherglen. Living in the country gives me the best of both worlds. We have 300 rolling acres and a working farm. Having that much space to oneself is amazing.

Q: What else would you like to accomplish?
A: I am working on completing my BPA (Bachelor of Professional Arts) degree. Having had the opportunity to teach...has led me to realize I love it. Whether it's through inspiring and energizing my staff or providing the same inspiration to students as a professor, I would like to think I can accomplish both.