RightOffTrack Entrepreneurship Connection Purpose by Anya Smith

Peter Ward

Peter WardProfile Photo

Lead- Analytics Platforms & Insights/Musician

Born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario(Canada), Lived in 5 cities/towns in across Canada. (Lake Louise, Mississauga, Hamilton, Milton, and Ontario). Today I work leading technical teams designing, building, and implementing People Insights Platforms owning everything from data extraction to designing consumer grade experiences around understanding People Insights. I have been working in HR Technology for the better part of 10 years everything from designing and building chat bots, wellness programs, designing learning and development applications, employee experience platforms, and redeployment systems supporting placement of health care professionals during COVID.
Oddly enough, this really is my second career passion, however the origin of the passion really stems from a desire to support work within community and social support programs (initially I considered the path to social work). To this point my career to varying degrees I have tried to reflect a corporate version of this passion. Most of where I have been able to guide my own career (with support of amazing leadership) has been in the space of employee experience. Both in my personal and professional life I live in a world that always considers the collection of quality experiences (vs. “things”) while always pushing the art of the possible. My success to this point, I think lives in the opportunities I have had to examine future possibilities and bridge the gap. For me personally learning and ownership of outcomes being primary factors of enablement for me (and the ability to consider infinite applications for a specific learning or outcome).
On the other side of things I have a beautiful family… my 4 best friends: 2 rescue dogs ( colt & oma), my wife Sarah, and my son Bennett who is 3. They are a huge part if the fabric of who I am, through ups and downs they are my constant, my drive, and my life compass. On top of that my close friends and family ensure my aspirations and experiences do not only live in the corporate world. They push me personally and professionally. Ie. Solve a complex problem  summit a mountain. Fulfillment for me lives in the world of balancing experiences.
So the career passion(now reborn) that came first- Music 😊.
I think was born with a musical connection (I think there are a number of research studies suggesting people can be born with musicality, but I feel like I’d be in that category). I cant recall a time when it wasn’t a major language in my life… also deeply engrained in the fabric of who I am. Singing (although not always well) since forever, playing anything with strings since I was around 10. More often than nor there is music playing on multiple floors of my house. Music has and will always be an escape and honest form of expression.
Roughly 15 years ago I took my first shot at making music professionally. For a number of reasons the star didn’t align. Although am always writing, circumstantially it has been difficult to pursue Now 15 years later I’m giving music another good go. Changes to work arrangement that came with COVID have renewed hope and opportunity to write, perform, and share music. It’s a renewed frame of balancing experiences.
I’m entering a totally different world than the one I left 15 years ago. I have had to learn and relearn social media, mixing, mastering, writing as part of a group, soundproofing and renovations, event promotion, and an element of self sales. We released our new album July 14. It has not been an easy path to this point.

Sept. 1, 2023

Harmonizing Music, Analytics, and Authenticity - Peter Ward is RightO…

Can you truly thrive by embracing your passion while excelling in your career? 🚀 Join the conversation with Peter Ward, a seasoned professional in the realm of people analytics. Discover how Peter harmonizes his analytical prowess with his fervent lo...

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