Mandy Gilbert

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Author, CEO, Entrepreneur, Investor

© Speakers Spotlight | Under New Management | Mandy Gilbert
Mandy Gilbert is a Canadian entrepreneur, investor, best-selling author, and speaker. She is the founder and CEO of Creative Niche, a recruitment company specializing in creative, digital, and marketing talent. Named as one of Forbes’ top recruiting firms, Creative Niche has successfully arranged over 14,000 placements throughout North America and generates eight figures in annual sales. Mandy is also a co-founder of RED Academy, a tech and design school, and serves as the Chair of the Toronto Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). Her book, Just Go With It: How to Navigate the Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship, offers insight into her entrepreneurial path and has been endorsed by prominent business guru Verne Harnish and Stephen M. R Covey, the author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Early life

Mandy Gilbert started her career in recruitment at a leading global staffing firm, where she became a top performer. Although a six-figure pay increase and a major promotion came her way as a result, she took a leap of faith and quit her high-paying corporate job in favour of starting her own business.

Career

Mandy Gilbert launched Creative Niche in 2002, as a leading recruitment firm that matches high-quality talent with the best businesses across the marketing, advertising, and creative sectors. As CEO, she grew Creative Niche to become an award-winning agency that has made more than 14,000 placements and serves clients across North America. In 2019, she increased her entrepreneurial footprint by founding Toronto-based RED Academy, a design and technology school focused on helping students find careers in the digital space.

As her career progressed, Mandy’s dedication to ongoing professional development prompted her to undertake the Entrepreneurial Master’s Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 2010 to 2012. In 2011, she also received leadership training at the Bell Leadership Institute. These experiences expanded her strategic outlook and leadership acumen and contributed to the scale and mentorship of her companies, as well as a new generation of business leaders.

Beyond running her businesses, Mandy Gilbert is also a noted keynote speaker, the author of a celebrated business book called Just Go With It: How to Navigate the Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship, and a regular contributor to Inc. Magazine. She has also written columns for Forbes and Rolling Stone. She is a board member with The Remix Project and YPO Toronto and advisor to multiple business groups.

Net Worth

Mandy Gilbert’s net worth is not publicly available information.

Achievement

Founding her recruiting firm, Creative Niche, with only $8,000. The company is now recognized by Forbes as a top recruiting company with 14,000 successful placements and eight figures in yearly sales.

Co-founding RED Academy, a tech and design school offering multiple programs spanning the digital disciplines.

Authoring Just Go With It: How to Navigate the Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship, which has been endorsed by industry leaders and praised by Forbes and Entrepreneur.

Becoming a successful and highly sought-after speaker, giving talks at global events, including Women of Silicon Valley, Elevate, and Web Summit, and for many internationally renowned companies, such as Nike, BMO, and L’Oreal.

Regularly publishing articles with Inc.com,sharing insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and talent acquisition.

Completing the Entrepreneurial Masters Program at MIT.

Being recognized as a United Nations Global Accelerator.

Receiving multiple accolades, including being named one of the Enterprising Women of the Year in 2015 and nabbing a spot on the PROFIT/Chatelaine W100 in 2012.