Hi, I’m Manu.
I move across a few different worlds — but at the heart of it, my work is about helping people and organizations move with clarity, courage, and care. I spend most of my time at the Ottawa Community Foundation, where we connect generosity to impact — bringing people, resources, and ideas together to help our city thrive.
My path has always lived at the intersection of community, capital, and opportunity. I care about building systems that are designed with people in mind — systems that support inclusive growth, thoughtful collaboration, and leadership that’s real, grounded, and ready for complexity.
I’ve spent years walking alongside young people, helping them see their own potential, step into confidence, and lead with intention. I’ve coached entrepreneurs, supported community leaders, and worked with teams to make sense of change and challenge. My approach is simple: listen deeply, ask the questions that matter, and help others get unstuck — so they can move forward with more direction and less noise.
Sometimes that looks like coaching. Sometimes it’s strategy work. Sometimes it’s showing up in someone’s real estate journey with the same care and clarity I bring to everything else. But always, it’s about helping people feel seen, supported, and equipped to take the next step — whatever that step may be.
At my core, I believe in frameworks, systems thinking, and shared responsibility. I believe in building trust before action. And I believe that real change happens when the right people are in the room, listening well and working together.
That’s the kind of work I’m here for.
About my Work
I’m someone who believes that real, lasting change starts with people — not systems, processes, or plans. For over 25 years, I’ve worked with individuals, teams, and organizations to think differently, act intentionally, and build what truly matters. Whether it’s reimagining strategy, introducing new products, mentoring youth, or amplifying social impact, my work is rooted in human-centered design and a deep belief in the power of meaningful collaboration.
My background blends engineering, entrepreneurship, and economic development, and over time I’ve helped launch tech solutions, nurture emerging leaders, support community development, and design talent programs that move the needle. I’ve come to thrive in complexity — connecting dots, bridging gaps, and moving ideas into action. At heart, I’m a systems thinker who cares deeply about people.
Currently, I serve as the Vice President of Operations at the Ottawa Community Foundation. I lead with an eye on both strategy and detail, combining my leadership experience with a strong foundation in innovation, entrepreneurship, and community building. I also co-lead OAK, a strategic consulting and software firm I helped found in 2007, where we support small businesses and nonprofits with forward-thinking tech solutions.
While I’m no longer actively involved with Innovation by Design, I continue to work on a case-by-case basis with changemakers and organizations focused on systems and social change — helping them apply design thinking to create more sustainable and impactful results.
Earlier, I co-founded AirLoop, an engagement and loyalty platform for storefront businesses, and I remain actively involved in the community — serving as a Strategic Advisor with Junior Achievement Ottawa and Mindtrust Leadership, a Charter Member of TiE Global, and a Trustee with Kiva Zip.
I’m driven by curiosity, grounded in humility, and guided by a deep sense of purpose. I value honesty, clarity, and generosity in how I work and lead. Above all, I care about helping people and organizations move forward — intentionally, and together.
Let’s connect. I’d love to hear your story and explore how we might create impact, side by side.
About my Interests
Operational Excellence: Throughout my professional career, since graduating from Engineering School in 1998, I have been deeply committed to achieving operational excellence by designing, developing, and deploying frameworks, processes, and systems that drive efficiency and impact. My passion lies in transforming complexity into clarity, enabling organizations to operate at their highest potential. I focus on creating scalable and adaptable solutions that align with organizational goals while fostering collaboration and innovation. By leveraging strategic thinking and a hands-on approach, I help teams streamline operations, optimize resources, and build systems that not only deliver results but also empower sustained growth and success.
Strategic Design and Planning: I have spent a significant part of the past decade immersed in the domains of strategic planning and strategic design, helping organizations chart purposeful paths forward in an increasingly complex world. My work focuses on developing clear, actionable strategies that align with organizational values and goals while addressing both immediate needs and long-term aspirations. By blending analytical rigor with creative problem-solving, I design frameworks and processes that enable teams to navigate uncertainty, seize opportunities, and drive sustainable growth. My approach emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, and impact, ensuring that every strategy is not only visionary but also practical and capable of delivering meaningful results.
Talent Development & Empowerment: From my early years, since my youth, I have had a deep interest in talent development and empowerment, driven by a belief in the boundless potential of individuals to grow, thrive, and lead. This passion has shaped my professional journey, where I have dedicated myself to identifying, nurturing, and unlocking the strengths of people across diverse roles and contexts. By fostering environments that encourage growth and self-discovery, I aim to inspire individuals to embrace their unique abilities and take ownership of their development. My approach combines mentorship, coaching, and strategic guidance to empower individuals and teams to achieve their goals, build resilience, and create lasting impact in their organizations and communities.
Leadership Development: I’m deeply committed to the power of leadership development as a catalyst for growth and transformation. With over 20 years of experience in strategy and mentorship, I’ve dedicated myself to cultivating leaders who are not only equipped to navigate complexity but also inspired to drive meaningful change. By integrating innovative frameworks and creating opportunities for reflection and growth, I strive to empower individuals to lead with clarity, creativity, and purpose, ultimately strengthening their impact on the communities and causes they serve.
Entrepreneurship & Venture Creation: Over my professional life, since coming to Canada in 2003, I have been deeply engaged in fostering entrepreneurial spirit and driving venture development, helping individuals and organizations turn ideas into impactful realities. My passion lies in empowering entrepreneurs to navigate uncertainty, seize opportunities, and build sustainable ventures that create meaningful value. By combining strategic insight with hands-on experience, I guide aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs in shaping their vision, refining their strategies, and scaling their efforts. Through tailored frameworks and actionable guidance, I aim to inspire innovation, cultivate resilience, and enable ventures to thrive in dynamic and complex environments.
Mentorship & Coaching: For more than 20 years, my work has centered on empowering individuals and organizations to navigate challenges and unlock their full potential through thoughtful guidance and strategic insight. I’m deeply passionate about the transformative potential of mentoring and coaching in fostering growth and self-discovery. My approach blends personalized mentorship with a coaching mindset, helping individuals build self-awareness, tackle obstacles, and achieve meaningful goals. By leveraging proven frameworks and tools, I guide others in cultivating clarity and confidence, enabling them to lead with purpose and create a lasting impact in their personal and professional journeys.
Social Innovation: I’m deeply passionate about the potential of social innovation and its transformative power. Over the past four years at the Ottawa Community Foundation, I’ve focused on bringing an innovation lens not only to our operations and internal practices but also to the organizations, initiatives, and priorities we support. By integrating innovative frameworks, we aim to empower those working to develop solutions to pressing social challenges, amplifying their capacity to create lasting impact. This approach has allowed us to reimagine how we deliver value while empowering the community to explore bold and creative solutions to complex issues.
Brief Bio
Manu Sharma is a strategy advisor, educator, and community builder based in Ottawa. With over two decades of experience at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and social impact, he helps individuals and organizations grow with purpose and integrity. His work draws on a deep interest in strategy, identity, values, growth, design, and systems – and a steady belief in our shared humanity. Manu teaches entrepreneurship and design thinking, and is passionate about intergenerational connection, cultural storytelling, and reimagining what we owe each other. He writes about life, leadership, and the invisible forces that shape what we build – and who we become.