Cathy Cena is a Managing Partner at FDT Academy, an Entrepreneur, a People Connector, a MOM, a Wife and a local Media Personality, who loves Life!
I was born in a small town in Italy called Taurianova, Province of Reggio Calabria. I landed in Vancouver, BC, Canada in 1972. As the eldest of three, I embrace life and always try new things, and am full of energy.
I started volunteering at the age of twelve which marked the beginning of me giving back to my community. Now at the age of fifty, I continue to give back and volunteer while contributing to my community… a place I call home. I had two children by the age of twenty-three. As a young mother, I was determined to teach my children the following – love yourself, love each other and try to give a hand where you can. I feel I have instilled these traits in both my children.
As a long-time Port Moody resident, I am an active community member and advocate and have established a great reputation among my peers and colleagues. I currently work alongside my son and daughter as we run our family business FDT Academy Inc., where we focus on teaching hundreds of students the art of Debate and Public Speaking. In my spare time I created Catching up with Cathy, a radio show, The Chat TV, a women-led talk show, and I am currently the President of Port Moody’s Arts Center and the Optimists Club of Coquitlam. As busy as I am I love it when a connection is made between companies and people. Some call me the “People Connector”. When I am not around town networking, I enjoy spending time with my children, Frankie and Tonya, and my husband, Dave. I was proud to have been nominated for the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce “Community Spirit” Award and as a Woman Influencer in the Community Steward category. I have always had a passion for politics and decided to run in the election in 2017. I feel more women are needed in politics and more gender equality is necessary. Although unsuccessful, that has never stopped me from pushing forward and pushing through my comfort zone to achieve more.
My Favorite Quote is,
“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated”
– Maya Angelou
