A management consulting firm,
Kanava International, is locating in downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
Previously located in Arlington, Virginia, the move is a return home for president and CEO Susan Puska, who is a Sault Ste. Marie native.
Kanava's new office, which opened early this year, is located at 546 Ashmun Street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
Puska made her career in the U.S. Army, serving as a logistician around the world and as an attaché to Beijing, before retiring at the rank of colonel. She worked as a U.S. government contractor and then returned to school at George Mason University, where she earned an MBA. In 2013, she opened the doors on Kanava International, joined by chief operating officer Carol Yee, an international management capacity specialist.
Puska wanted to return to Sault Ste. Marie to work on economic development in the area by helping to build sustainable companies and nonprofits. Kanava offers several services to that end, such as consulting on operating platforms, personnel training, and diversification of customer base and funding.
Hiring has already started at Kanava, with the addition of regional manager Erin Marra, who will run office operations in the U.P., recruit for development projects, and work with partners in the U.P. Two part-time consultants also will add their skills to Kanava projects.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Downtown Sault Ste. Marie
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