Biography
Joe Freedman is a full-time professor in the School of Management at George Brown College. He developed and teaches the core curriculum for the college’s Project Management Graduate Certificate Program which includes Scope and Quality Management, Risk Management, Time and Cost Management and Project Planning and Client Management. Professor Freedman represents the college in maintaining the college’s Registered Education Provider status with the Southern Ontario Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI). He is also a faculty advisor to the students’ Project Management Club.
Professor Freedman is also the president of JDF Consulting, a management consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, project management program design, implementation and review. He has consulted widely in the health care, post-secondary education, housing and environmental sectors.
Academic Credentials
Bachelor of Arts, Political Studies, Trent University, 1977
Master in Environmental Studies, Social Policy Planning, York University, 1980
Project Management Professional, PMP, 2012
Areas of Specialization
Professor Freedman teaches in the college’s Project Management Graduate Certificate Program (B415)
Areas of Expertise
Project management consulting
Small business start ups
Management consulting
Program planning
implementation and review
Career Highlights
Founder and CEO Studentawards Inc., 1998-2005
Studentawards.com (renamed Yconic.com) is Canada’s leading online scholarship search service for students entering or enrolled in post-secondary studies. The company also operates a permission-based online marketing firm and market research entity that connects corporate Canada with over 1,000,000 Canadian youth online. Responsibilities included developing overall strategic direction for the company, hiring and development of management staff, securing capital financing, board of directors and shareholder relations, business development, financial management and successfully negotiating the sale of the company.
Partner, Envirimed Inc., 1992-1998
Envirimed Inc. was established in 1989 as a consulting firm specializing in the planning, development and evaluation of community-based programs, long-term health care programs and facilities, and special needs housing. The company’s portfolio includes extensive planning and evaluative work within the not-for-profit and municipal government sectors. Responsibilities included business development, client relations and management of key projects.
Manager, R.I.S Consultants, 1989-1991
R.I.S. is a leading environmental consulting firm specializing in waste reduction and recycling. The company pioneered the blue box curbside recycling program and implemented the program across Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Developed and managed the firm’s “Corporate Greening” program which conducted packaging and environmental audits and provided clients with recommendations geared to reducing negative environmental impacts.
Director, Codecon Consultants, 1987-1989
Codecon is consulting firm specializing in commercial real estate development. Responsible for preparing and presented planning submissions to municipal governments.
Metropolitan Toronto Department of Community Services, Manager, Staff Training and Development, 1985-1986
Metro Toronto Housing Company Ltd., Development Manager, 1984-1985, Manager, Policy Development, 1983-1984
Regional Municipality of Peel, Manager of Operations – Housing Department, 1980-1982
Other Activities
Professor Freedman is a faculty advisor for the Project Management Club which is operated by students enrolled in Project Management graduate certificate and diploma programs.
