Page 10 - CCCA 259155 Magazine_Winter 2016

{ PROFILE }

Living the Dream

Growing up, Fernando Garcia and Mary Ellen Bench each overcame
challenging circumstances to become respected, award-winning
lawyers. Always willing to share their time, skill and enthusiasm, they
will co-chair the 2017 CCCA National Conference in April. They love
the annual event, describing its importance as “way beyond” the

materials, presentations and speakers.

ERNANDO GARCIA has a life lesson he Jane and Finch gave Garcia an appre-
likes to share: how he struggled as a ciation for diversity and inclusiveness. “It
Fteenager, moving in and out of four follows me right through to today, some-
high schools during the late ’80s and early thing I’m very much involved in,” he ex-
’90s. And how a community many con- plains. “It opened up and exposed me to
sider high risk shaped his life. the world.”
The community is northwest Toronto’s Garcia eventually found the life and
multi-cultural Jane and Finch, a study in opportunity his parents imagined for
socio-economic diversity. His family set- him. He is General Counsel and Corpo-
tled there after leaving Uruguay, believing rate Secretary at Nissan Canada. He has
Canada provided greater opportunity for been recognized for his public service
their two children. numerous times, including being named
Garcia was nine when the family im- Tomorrow's Leader at the Canadian
migrated. Language may have frst been General Counsel Awards, one of The 10
part of the issue, but he admits to being Most Infuential Hispanic-Canadians by
an uninterested student. Cycling through Hispanic Business and, most recently, the
different schools trying to fnd his way, he 2016 Lexpert Zenith Award for Diversity.
gained something valuable. “The school He’s a regular contributor to the Cana-
I spent the most time at, it had every dian Lawyer Magazine and recently com-
colour of the rainbow. Looking back, I pleted an MBA.
learned about socializing, networking His story, “defnitely atypical,” speaks
and developing interpersonal skills.” to perseverance. Garcia managed a 60%

By Michael Dempster

10 CCCA MAGAZINE | WINTER 2016 HIVER