Not everyone gets to see their boss rappel down a downtown high-rise. But, that’s exactly what the team at Calgary’s Strategic Group, one of the city’s largest commercial property owners and developers, was able to do in July. Strategic Group is led by CEO Riaz Mamdani, who founded the company in 2001. Since 2001, Strategic Group has grown to have over 150 properties in its portfolio and has expanded its operations across Canada.
On July 8, Riaz Mamdani’s staff watched him as a he slowly rappelled down a downtown highrise office building on 7th Avenue in Calgary.
Riaz Mamdani rappelling down a downtown high-rise in Calgary.
Strategic Group began a Toss Riaz! fundraising campaign to support the Make-a-Wish Rope for Hope event, which allows participants to raise money for the Make-a-Wish foundation while rappelling down a downtown highrise.
Strategic Group’s Toss Riaz! campaign set a new record for funds raised, with a total of $74,771 raised for the Make-a-Wish foundation. That contribution amount will go toward helping grant wishes to children who are facing critical illnesses.
To add to the spirit around the fundraising campaign, a company Toss Riaz! website was created and Strategic Group team members were amongst those invited to offer their own reasons why they would want to “toss Riaz” off a building – all in good-natured fun of course.
“It was tremendously exciting,” adds Riaz Mamdani. “And I’m not just talking about climbing down a high rise – I have to say that was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. It was exciting that Strategic Group could come together to help the community in a real way. We’re always looking for ways in which we can support and be involved in our community, and we were very happy to be able to participate in Make-a-Wish’s Rope for Hope.”
Asked about his experience in propelling down a major high-rise, Mamdani adds, “I’ve never been one to be extremely afraid of heights. But, looking down from the top of the building, knowing that I will be climbing down it by rope was certainly daunting. {Laughing} I guess I can cross that off my bucket list now.”
In the end, all the friends and team members who participated in the Toss Riaz campaign were happy that the fundraising campaign was a great success, and were happy too, to see Riaz Mamdani with both feet on the ground.
Photo Credit
Photo courtesy of Riaz Mamdani – All Rights Reserved
Guest Author Bio
Riaz Mamdani
Riaz Mamdani is the CEO of Strategic Group, an integrated commercial real estate company located in Calgary, Alberta. Riaz places a high priority on community involvement and is committed to being involved in community programs and charitable organizations both within and outside of Alberta.
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Dear Riaz,
I am also from Uganda and we immigrated to Canada in 1970 , 2 years before the Idi Amin risis. We were very fortunate to Leave two years before as I used to work for TWA and Sabena Airlines in Kampala and we felt the insecurity so we left Uganda in August 1970. My husband, myself and my daughter Farah. When we arrived in Vancouver, there were approximately 25-30 Ismailies. When we arrived in Canada, we didn’t know anyone.
We struggled for a few years…jobs..getting used to the winter, etc.
My daughter Farah completed her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Masters in Creative Writing at UBC in 1997 with 96% honors.
She was diagnosed Bi Polar the same year she graduated …1997 and has not been able to work. She has been on Permanent Disability and supported by the Ministry with $886.00 @ month.
The reason I am writing to you is because I read that you have offered to support the Syrian Refugees. I am so proud of you…being an Ismaili…it is a honor to read of your offer…your empathy towards the refugees.
If you get to read this remark….I would very much appreciate if you can email me or call me at 604 447 4775 as I need your help desperately.
Desperate mother
Rashida
604 447 4775
P.S.
I read about your kindness with ..make a wish Rope for Hope & Life as a Human and hoping you can help my daughter Farah to make her goal to be a Writer…she is struggling!!!!
She has been hospitalized 105 times…anywhere from 3 days to 3 months. In between her hospitalization , she has managed to publish one book called “MAKE YOUR OWN CHAI…MAMA’S BOY…through Trafford Publishing. It is a collection of 10 short stories and is available through Amazon.com & Trafford. She is in the process of withing two novels…THE DIARY OF A REAL LIVE MAD WOMAN…and BASMATI BLUES.
She needs support from someone who will believe in her potential to be an excellent writer.
I hope someone will hold her hand to MAKE A WISH ROPE FOR HOPE 🙂
Many Thanks 🙂
Raising almost $75,000 is no easy task. My compliments to Riaz and his company. He has certainly taken the term “going out on a limb” to new heights. 😉 Well done!