ABOUT GENCITY
Gencity Inc. specializes in all aspects of marketing, communications, events management and Indigenous liaison. Over the years, Gencity has developed a positive reputation with its clients built on open communications and prosperous results. The majority of Gencity's new business comes through referrals and word of mouth, which is a testament to the strength of Gencity's brand and reputation.
In June 2021, Gencity Inc. (formerly Gencity Consulting) was recognized as the "Indigenous Business of the Year" by the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce at their annual Chamber Awards event. In September of 2023, Gencity Inc. was one of thirteen companies selected to be awarded a grant from the DOW Indigenous Economy Fund administered by the CCAB, which had almost 300 applicants.
Steven McCoy, BBA
FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Steven McCoy is the CEO and founder of Gencity Inc. which evolved from his own part-time consulting business he started under his own name in 2012. He specializes in speech writing and coaching, marketing, communications, events management, Indigenous liaison and business consulting. Steven has worked with numerous First Nation communities, politicians, private corporations providing a variety of business services.
Mr. McCoy has additional work experience in the private sector in the areas of economic development, marketing and sales where he has experience negotiating and dealing with First Nation communities, Chief and Councils, Managers, Presidents and CEO's of multi-million-dollar corporations, and various Federal and Provincial Ministries and First Nation Political Organizations.
Steven has developed partnerships with various service suppliers and experienced professionals to accommodate clients needs and has developed a vast network of contacts across Canada and can provide expert referrals and trusted guidance for clients. Steven has over 15 years experience in customer service management, over 7 years of work experience in marketing management and economic development roles and 10 years as an business owner and entrepreneur.
Steven has an educational background in business, marketing, finance and hospitality with many years of work experience in the same fields. He completed a Honours Bachelor degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing at Algoma University and he also graduated with a Diploma from Sault College in Hospitality and Tourism Management. In addition, he completed the Canadian Securities Course which is required to work with stocks, bonds, mutual funds and derivatives in Canada along with the Life License Qualification Program which is required to work with life, accident and sickness insurance in the province of Ontario.
Steven is passionate about giving back to his community in various ways and currently does motivational speaking to help inspire others take control of their lives and pursue their dreams, no matter what circumstances they are facing.
Steven is a community volunteer with the following organizations:
CURRENTLY
Board of Directors with Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce (2023 - Current)
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Since 1889, the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce (SSMCOC) has been the recognized voice of local business, advocating for economic policy that encourages business growth and benefits the community as a whole, making Sault Ste. Marie a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Board of Directors with NORDIK Institute (2023 - Current)
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Incorporated in 2006, NORDIK Institute is a joint project of the Community Economic and Social Development Department (CESD) Department and Algoma University, committed to developing Northern Ontario’s research capacity by working closely with its community partners and providing mentoring to new researchers. It undertakes diverse initiatives at the local, regional, and national levels with focus on northern, Indigenous, rural and smaller urban communities.
Board of Directors with Anishnawbe Business Professional Association (2019 - Current)
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The Anishnawbe Business Professional Association (ABPA) primarily serves the First Nation business community and provides a forum for the First Nation business community to develop policies and programming which contribute to the socio-economic well-being and quality of life of First Nations peoples in Northern Ontario.
Vice President of Marketing with Sault/Algoma Toastmasters Club (2020 - Current)
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The Sault/Algoma Toastmasters Club #2648 is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills working as part of Toastmasters International. Toastmasters is a worldwide network of clubs founded in 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders.
Mentor with Inspire: Rivers to Success - Mentoring Indigenous Students (2020 - Current)
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Indspire is an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada.
PREVIOUSLY
Board of Directors with Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation (2019 - 2022)
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In 1986, the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation (SSMEDC) was established as an independent not-for-profit agency to be the lead organization in the community with respect to economic development.
Member with Sault Ste Marie Historical Sites Committee (2020 - 2022)
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The Historic Sites Board is a volunteer board appointed by City Council to govern the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site. The Board meets approximately 11 times per year.
Board of Directors with StriveYPG (2019 - 2020)
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StriveYPG was developed by the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce for individuals between the age of 19 to 40. The vision is to assist young professionals in reaching higher potential and recognizing achievements for the purpose of attraction and retention in the community.
Board of Directors with Big Brothers Big Sisters Sault Ste. Marie (2012 - 2021)
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BBBS-SSM has been servicing underprivileged youth in the community since 1970 and currently provides programming to 77 youths in the Sault Ste. Marie area.
Vice Chair with the Garden River Community Trust Fund (2015 - 2019)
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Garden River Community Trust Fund oversees programming for the community and manages over $5 million dollars in trust money.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"Steven is a quiet yet curious person when engaged in conversation, can challenge your way of thinking when speaking to his area of expertise or make it an opportunity to learn from yours. Steven works diligently to present himself in a professional manner, who clearly takes pride in his work and strives to position himself as a leader in his field of consulting."
- Karen Bird, Associate Branch Director, RBC Dominion Securities
"Steven has demonstrated he has the education, skills and experience to contribute to the economic health and well-being in the Indigenous and surrounding Sault Ste. Marie communities. Steven has given much back to the communities and volunteers on various governance boards which demonstrates his commitment and willingness to take on any challenge. He is reliable, punctual and a great communicator."
- Peter Recollect, Vice Chair, Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund
"Steven has utilized his extensive marketing experience to promote our club. His expertise has been invaluable to our growth as a club during this pandemic. While many chapters of Toastmasters have suffered losses during this tumultuous time, ours has remained strong largely in part due to Steven’s hard work and leadership. "
- Maggie Gasparetto, Club President, Algoma Toastmasters Club #2648
WHAT IS GENCITY
FROM THE DESK OF FOUNDER & CEO, STEVEN MCCOY:
While I was completing my bachelors degree at Algoma University I also started my entrepreneurial journey as a business consultant in 2012 operating part-time as a sole-proprietor under my own name, Steven McCoy - Business Consultant. In the beginning, I focused on helping entrepreneurs who were just starting out or small business owners looking for additional support for their operations.
Around 2017, I wanted to attract a larger clientele base, such as First Nation communities, organizations and larger enterprises so I decided to rebrand myself, starting with a new name. When I tried to come up with a new name for a consulting company, I quickly found that all the good ones I could think of were already taken as the market is saturated with consulting companies. I realized that I was going to have to create a new name entirely if I wanted going to continue with the word "Consulting" in my name.
So I started to write out words on a blank sheet of paper of what I thought a consultant is and the work they do. As I filled in words all over the paper in no particularly, two words started to pop out at me. The beginning of the word 'genius' and the ending of the word 'lucidity'. I wrote out the word Gen-cidity, which I quickly derived down to 'Gencity'.
That is how the name GENCITY was created and in 2018 I registered 'Gencity Consulting' as a business in the province of Ontario. The name was originally meant to be pronounced as one fluid word, similar to how 'Hennessy' is pronounced, but most everyone separates the Gen and City and put a pause in between the two when pronouncing the name. I do not mind though as I know how unique and special the name is and the move to rebrand in order to capture a larger clientele base has been a successful strategic endeavour.