Not everyone gets to see their boss rappel down a downtown high-rise. But, that’s exactly what the team at Calgary’s Strategic Group, one of the city’s largest commercial property owners and developers, was able to do in July. Strategic Group is led by CEO Riaz Mamdani, who founded the company in 2001. Since 2001, Strategic Group has grown to have over 150 properties in its portfolio and has expanded its operations across Canada.

On July 8, Riaz Mamdani’s staff watched him as a he slowly rappelled down a downtown highrise office building on 7th Avenue in Calgary.

Strategic Group began a Toss Riaz! fundraising campaign to support the Make-a-Wish Rope for Hope event, which allows participants to raise money for the Make-a-Wish foundation while rappelling down a downtown highrise.

Strategic Group’s Toss Riaz! campaign set a new record for funds raised, with a total of $74,771 raised for the Make-a-Wish foundation. That contribution amount will go toward helping grant wishes to children who are facing critical illnesses.

To add to the spirit around the fundraising campaign, a company Toss Riaz! website was created and Strategic Group team members were amongst those invited to offer their own reasons why they would want to “toss Riaz” off a building – all in good-natured fun of course.

“It was tremendously exciting,” adds Riaz Mamdani. “And I’m not just talking about climbing down a high rise – I have to say that was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. It was exciting that Strategic Group could come together to help the community in a real way. We’re always looking for ways in which we can support and be involved in our community, and we were very happy to be able to participate in Make-a-Wish’s Rope for Hope.”

Asked about his experience in propelling down a major high-rise, Mamdani adds, “I’ve never been one to be extremely afraid of heights. But, looking down from the top of the building, knowing that I will be climbing down it by rope was certainly daunting. {Laughing} I guess I can cross that off my bucket list now.”

In the end, all the friends and team members who participated in the Toss Riaz campaign were happy that the fundraising campaign was a great success, and were happy too, to see Riaz Mamdani with both feet on the ground.

Photo Credit

Photo courtesy of Riaz Mamdani – All Rights Reserved

Guest Author Bio

Riaz Mamdani

Riaz Mamdani is the CEO of Strategic Group, an integrated commercial real estate company located in Calgary, Alberta. Riaz places a high priority on community involvement and is committed to being involved in community programs and charitable organizations both within and outside of Alberta.

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