JA Ottawa Volunteer Subhir Uppal
Today’s National Volunteer Week spotlight is on Subhir Uppal. Subhir was born and raised in Ottawa (lives in Westboro). He has an Executive MBA and B.Comm Honours from the University of Ottawa. He has two cats, Sammy and Gizmo, and is married to his wife, Stephanie. Together, they have a super energetic three-year-old son named Brahm. Subhir is also an instructor of various real estate programs, as he loves to teach and facilitate—another reason he enjoys his time working with JA. He and his family love to travel, try new restaurants, and spend time exploring their neighbourhood, whether on foot or by bike.
“Watching Subhir work with students is always something special—his energy, presence, and genuine care create a powerful and supportive learning environment. He has a remarkable way of gently empowering students to express themselves and share their ideas with confidence. What truly sets him apart is the way he listens with intention and reflects students’ ideas back to them in a way that reinforces their value and ownership. It’s been fantastic to have Subhir as one of our JA Company mentors, and we deeply appreciate the flexibility and dedication he brings to the role, especially within initiatives that venture beyond the typical program structure.” – Robyn Lester, JA Company Program Manager
What made you decide to volunteer with the JA Company program?
I am passionate about entrepreneurship. I am currently building my own start-up in the property technology space (uppaBe.com). I want to share my experiences both good and bad, but also learn from today’s generation on what drives them to build a business.
When you were in school, who was your favourite teacher and why?
Professor Peter Koppel, University of Ottawa (B.Comm). He taught how to successfully do a business presentation and how to engage and sell to your audience. Even today, I use what I learnt from him on my presentations and speaking engagements. He had a tremendous influence on how I approach presenting in business.
How do you balance your volunteer work with your personal and/or professional life?
I have a great support system with my wife, who also wants to set an example to our son on the importance of volunteering. Whenever I leave to volunteer, my son says “daddy’s going to volunteer, and I will do it when I am bigger” which makes me proud. In addition to JA, I volunteer on several committees, boards, and do several speaking engagements. In my goal planning and scheduling (my life runs on Google Calendars), I time block my volunteer commitments so I can truly commit myself to them.
What unexpected lessons have you learned through your volunteer experiences?
People will surprise you. In my time with JA, I am always surprised by the amazing quality of work delivered by the students. The passion for entrepreneurship for the current generation is strong, and I think this is important for growth of business in Canada. The students are equipped with advanced marketing and technology skills at such a young age, that they can leverage to grow their business to endless potential. Often times I go in as the instructor, but leave as the student with the wealth of knowledge and ideas.
What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering but feels hesitant?
The joy you get from volunteering on both a personal and professional level is priceless. I’ve made friends, business contacts, and connections with future entrepreneurs with my time in JA (I always tell the students that I will read about their business successes one day). Speak to other volunteers and staff at the organization, and you will see everyone is there to support one another. Sometimes the material and content may seem overwhelming, but everyone is there to truly support you. Also, we all come from different backgrounds and skillsets, and what we might bring to the table could be a lasting experience for the student you are working with. I couldn’t imagine not volunteering at JA and fun I would miss out on. It is truly an enjoyable experience, and the hesitancy and doubt will be gone as soon as you walk through the doors.
