The 3rd Annual Zoomer List: Canada’s Top 45 Over 45: Joe Roberts

Joe Roberts, 45, Skid Row CEO

He was a homeless drug addict when at 24, his mother and the Salvation Army intervened. Roberts entered rehab and turned his life around, getting a college degree and eventually becoming the CEO of a multi-media development company. Years later, he was named one of Business in Vancouver‘s 40 Under 40 Outstanding Business People and one of Maclean’s 10 Canadians Who Make a Difference. After stepping down from the company he is now known as the Skid Row CEO, touring the world giving motivational talks. He is also devoted to helping kids escape his former life – drugs and the streets. To that end, next year Roberts will push a shopping cart across Canada, covering close to 8,000 kilometres, to raise funds for at-risk youth. The website for the cause is thepushforchange.com “There is more in kids than they can see – my life is being poured out in an attempt to create legacy for kids at risk, kids that deserve a second chance, kids like me.”