Building a stronger future
Amir Shenouda came to Canada in 2001 from Alexandria, Egypt with a backpack full of dreams. He dreamed of being successful, starting a family, raising children and giving them a chance for a good life. Although he was uncertain about what the future would hold, he was excited to explore what Canada, and his future had in store for him.
Today, he is the proud husband of Engy Ayad, his university sweetheart, a father of three and the co-founder of S.E.M Construction. He is also a member of St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation’s Board of Directors and has been a dedicated sponsor of St. Joseph’s Tribute Dinner for five years.
“I believe that business can and should be a force for good, not to just build wealth,” says Shenouda. “What I aspire to is for my business to have a positive impact on the lives of the people that it touches starting with our employees, to our clients and our community.”
Growing up, his parents stressed the importance of education, and he studied engineering and mastered several languages. Grounded in their faith, the Shenouda family lived the values of fairness, respecting others and being good citizens. And, the young Amir spent a lot of time attending and participating in faith-based activities, youth service and outreach – all of which he believes helped to shape him into the person he is today.
As much as he loved his home country, Shenouda was excited to see what the rest of the world had to offer. He settled in Sarnia to start his first job in August 2001. Just a few weeks later 9/11 occurred.
“Things took a bit of curve for me then,” he says, “especially as a newcomer from my part of the world.”
He was determined to build a stable new life, and with time, he says he began to feel normal again.
An entrepreneur at heart, Shenouda launched his first company in 2004 – an online ordering platform. Just four years later, a new opportunity presented itself and he co-founded the construction business S.E.M., followed by a development business in 2013.
The company started small and in 2013 they became a vendor of record for Infrastructure Ontario, which allowed them to do work in public buildings including court houses, police stations and education facilities at Western University and Lambton College. Over the past six years, they have expanded into the multi-storey residential and industrial sectors.
Shenouda’s connection with St. Joseph’s began in 2004 when his daughter Emma was born at the hospital, along with his twin boys Emanuel and Daniel a few years later.
When he met Michelle Campbell, Foundation President & CEO, for the first time, it sparked his interest to become more involved.
As it happens, that year’s Tribute Dinner speaker was Peter Mansbridge, someone Shenouda remembered watching as a news anchor when he was a newcomer to Canada.
“He gave me a very good perspective on the new country that I had just immigrated to,” says Shenouda. “I decided to sponsor the event and have been doing so every year since.”
Three years later, Shenouda feels great pride in contributing to the success of the dinner – especially knowing how the proceeds benefit the health of people receiving care across St. Joseph’s.
He’s equally proud of his work on the board. Comprised of a diverse group of leaders, Shenouda says it’s a fulfilling role that offers continuous learning with colleagues who share a common goal to improve life in our community.
“The Foundations values of doing right, creating impact and giving thanks resonate with me and align with S.E.M.’s values, and I really find purpose in having positive influence on those around me and my community at large,” he says. “That’s why my family, my company and I are so honoured to be part of St. Joseph’s mission.”