Tareq Hadhad

Tareq Hadhad (born October 21, 1992) is a Syrian-Canadian Entrepreneur, international public speaker, and philanthropist, living in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. Hadhad is known for his confectionary business Peace by Chocolate, of which he is the Founder and CEO.https://www.halifaxtoday.ca/local-news/peace-by-chocolate-expands-to-halifax-with-signature-store-along-the-waterfront-3510866
Peace by Chocolate emphasizes job creation, employing local community members and other refugees. The company has introduced various products with social messages, including a Pride Bar to support LGBTQ+ initiatives and other items aimed at raising awareness for Indigenous efforts and mental health support. A portion of profits is donated to the Peace on Earth Society, which supports various charitable initiatives. 
Hadhad’s family’s story is the subject of the best-selling book Peace by Chocolate, as well as a feature film by the same name, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
==Life before Canada and Education==
Hadhad and his family had to leave Syria during the country’s civil war. Prior to this, Hadhad’s father, Essam Hadhad, made chocolate in Damascus, Syria for over 20 years. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20170405-the-syrian-refugees-finding-hope-in-chocolate Their facilities in Syria were bombed, and Tareq and his family left their home and lived as refugees in Lebanon for three years until arriving in Canada in 2016. 
Previous to leaving Syria, Tareq had completed four years of Medical School with the intention of becoming a Doctor. With two years left in his schooling, it was no longer safe to attend school in Syria. While living in Lebanon, Hadhad provided medical services to those in need. After arriving in Canada, he started his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish.https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/refugee-roadblock-doctor-antigonish-syrian-1.3519565
After immigrating to Nova Scotia in 2016, Hadhad reopened the family’s chocolatier business. They are now working in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and employing newcomers to Canada and residents of the community. 
https://www.acadienouvelle.com/etc/gensdici/2020/01/16/nouvelle-ecosse-le-chocolatier-syrien-tareq-hadhad-devient-citoyen-canadien/
==Prime Minister Trudeau supports Peace by Chocolate==
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared the story of Peace by Chocolate and the Hadhad family in 2016 to a forum of world leaders, diplomats and dignitaries at the UN Refugee Summit in 2016.https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/justin-trudeau-un-syrian-refugees-antigonish-chocolate-tareq-hadhad-1.3175023
In June of 2019, Trudeau gifted U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi with Peace by Chocolate, stating, “Peace by Chocolate is something Canada is very proud of”, to which she replied, “Peace by Chocolate, sounds like an International Agreement."https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/news/local/trudeau-presents-pelosi-with-antigonish-syrian-refugees-chocolate-325107/
 
==Citizenship==
On January 15, 2020, Hadhad participated in a citizenship ceremony at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax. Hadhad received a 100% score on his Canadian citizenship test.https://www.acadienouvelle.com/etc/gensdici/2020/01/16/nouvelle-ecosse-le-chocolatier-syrien-tareq-hadhad-devient-citoyen-canadien/
 
==Public Speaking==
Hadhad gave his first speech in February of 2016 after being asked to speak at a community breakfast. He spoke about his experience in Syria and Lebanon, as well as his fresh start in Canada. He spoke for an hour and 15 minutes. He has now attended over 350 speaking engagements across Canada sharing the story of his family and Peace by Chocolate.https://canadianimmigrant.ca/people/entrepreneur-immigrants/from-chocolatier-to-speaker-tareq-hadhad
 
Hadhad's speaking engagement topics are "Resiliency through Adversity: Perseverance from Pre-War Syria to the United Nation", "One Peace Won't Hurt: Building a cause through Entrepreneurship and Community", and "Peace is Beautiful in Every Language: How Offering Kindness is the Key to Accelerating the Integration of New Immigrants".https://www.voxagency.ca/tareq-hadhad
==Awards & Accomplishments==
*September 2018
**Google National Hero Case - Google Canadahttps://www.thechronicleherald.ca/business/peace-by-chocolate-founder-recognized-by-google-245034/
*October 2017
**Start Up Canada’s National Newcomer Entrepreneur Award - Start Up Canadahttp://entrevestor.com/home/entry/tareq-hadhad-wins-rbcs-entrepreneur-award
*November 2016
**NS Good News Awardhttps://www.dal.ca/faculty/agriculture/news-events/news/2017/08/04/the_now__nova_scotia_good_news_awards_are_back.html
*June 2020
**Top 25 Immigrants to the Maritimeshttps://www.halifaxtoday.ca/local-news/tareq-hadhad-named-one-of-top-25-canadian-immigrants-2715063
* EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 for Atlantic Canada.
* RBC’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award.
* Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020.
* Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.
Category:1992 births
Category:Syrian businesspeople
Category:Motivational speakers