Adam Peabody's Decade of GV Leadership

Adam Peabody is a 10-year Global Vision veteran. He has participated in JTC Missions to Peru (2008 and 2015) and to China (2010, 2014, 2015, 2016), two APEC Summits (China 2015 and Peru 2016) and two Arctic Youth Ambassador Summits (2014 and 2015). Adam has also attended the National Youth Ambassador Caucus and Regional Round Table programs several times. 

He leveraged his Global Vision experience and network to become the Inaugural Investment Attraction and Growth Specialist for the City of Fredericton, where he worked to support local export companies to penetrate new global markets and secure foreign direct investment to the city from American, European and Asian markets. Most recently, Adam was appointed as the Director of Planet Hatch, New Brunswick’s flagship acceleration centre, where he leads a team dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs through innovative programming, infrastructure, and services. Adam credits his success directly to the network and mentorship opportunities that he has experienced with Global Vision, and he continues to give back to the organization as a proud Maritime alumni.

Adam (right) photographed with then Prime Minister Stephen Harper (left) during one of his Junior Team Canada Missions with Global Vision.

Adam took the time to catch up with us about his GV experience and about the many opportunities that it has brought forward.

With the many missions and summits that you’ve participated in, which stands out to you for being particularly memorable?

Every experience with Global Vision has been memorable in it's own right, but certainly the G8/ G20 My Summits program in 2010 was particularly memorable. At the Summits, the JTC delegation was able to work hand-in-hand with fellow youth from the participating nations on international issues and develop a joint communique that we presented to our leaders. I was selected by my peers to present the G20 communique to Prime Minister Harper in person. This experience touched on critical elements of learning from all Global Vision programs and the 5 step game changer: working in a team, feeding your curiosity, relationship building, and delivering "the goods" (show & tell). And it was pretty cool to shake Prime Minister Harper and President Obama's hand on live national TV!

Working for the City of Fredericton, can you explain your role as an Inaugural Investment Attraction and Growth Specialist?

As Investment Attraction & Growth Specialist I put my learning experiences from Global Vision into practice each and everyday. I am responsible for working with our provincial and national partners to pitch Fredericton as an investment location of choice for growing multinational companies. I work with our community partners to refine, market and sell our value proposition to encourage foreign direct investment from around the world. Once the investment is made, I work with local management to ensure they are connected to subject matter experts that will assist them in maintaining and growing their investment in our city for local economic prosperity and job creation. 

Adam (left) and Amy Clifford (right), Director of Global Vision, photographed with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau whilst representing the organization.

Having been appointed Director of Planet Hatch, how have your experiences with Global Vision allowed you to excel in this position? Have you learned anything that has helped you succeed in this particular field?

Upon my appointment as Director of Planet Hatch, I relied on a different set of Global Vision experiences and skills I developed in the program. In this role, I am responsible for managing a team dedicated to the growth of New Brunswick's startup community. We offer programming, services and creative infrastructure to help entrepreneurs scale up their startups. In this role, it is imperative to use group dynamics, presentation and pitching skills, creativity, and leverage a golden rolodex. All of these skills I learned through my involvement with Global Vision.  

You mentioned that you’re still consistently involved with Global Vision, even with years under your belt. What does your current involvement consist of?

Global Vision is like a family. As an alumni (just like a family member) you still remain connected with a desire to help each other no matter the distance between you. Since returning to my hometown of Fredericton I've remained active in Global Vision by supporting and coaching local JTC ambassadors, participating in the National Youth Ambassador Caucus program, and other initiatives to help to give back and pay it forward. I will never be able to fully pay back to the organization all that is has given and done for me! 

Crediting Global Vision’s network and opportunities for leading you, how has the organization helped your achieve success in the many facets of your life?

Certainly the skills development through learning by doing has been instrumental in my personal development. You're not just being taught what to do at Global Vision, the program gives you the opportunity to put what you learn into practice and succeed or fail on your own. The program also connected me to hundreds of like-minded youth that became great friends, many of whom I am still in touch with today.... I always have a couch to crash on or a friend to grab a coffee with, no matter where I am in Canada! Moreover, Global Vision opened my eyes to the possibilities the world has to offer. I entered the program as a young guy from a small town with little international experience. I now have a much greater appreciation for the different cultures, perspectives, and opportunities that are available and the confidence to go out and seize them.  

Peabody (centre-left) photographed Global Vision founder Terry Clifford (centre-right), Terry's daughter and GV Director Amy (right), and his wife Ann (left).

As a 10-year veteran, what has inspired and motivated you to stay involved with Global Vision? In other words, what has kept you coming back?

My inspiration for staying involved with Global Vision comes from it's leaders: Terry and Amy. They have given decades of their lives, often with little recognition or benefit, to providing young Canadians with incredible, life-changing opportunities. Their dedication to the organization and the participants it serves is incredible. If there is any way that I can give back to them, I want to do it.  

Do you have any final words of advice for anyone who is trying to build a long-term relationship with an organization or a company — whether it be Global Vision or another?

My advice would be to work hard, be honest, and treat others as you would like to be treated. Pretty simple rules we are all taught in kindergarten or before, but too often individuals lose sight of these golden rules in the hustle and bustle of their daily lives. But if you follow them, the rest will work itself out.