Representing a Community – Raquel Ness

Raquel Ness never thought her hometown would be the place she settled down, but after living away, she realized that Orillia had what she was looking for.

A photograph from 1899 shows Orillia’s first high school. The same high school Raquel would attend nearly a century later, eventually becoming known as the Orillia District Collegiate & Vocational Institute (ODCVI).

Growing up with entrepreneurial parents, business was in Raquel’s blood. Between attending high school at the Orillia District Collegiate & Vocational Institute (ODCVI), and going to law school, Raquel worked at her parents’ local business. This gave her the experience and tools she needed to one day return to her hometown and start a business of her own. In 2019, Raquel opened Ness Law in downtown Orillia.

Who is Raquel Ness? (captions available in both FR and EN). Enjoy this video with a transcript (En).

Being a local business owner is not Raquel’s only passion, she’s also an avid philanthropist, dedicated to giving back to her community. An active member of the Orillia Chamber of Commerce, Raquel encourages the economic growth of Orillia through events, lobbying, and charity work aimed at bringing businesses to the community.

Raquel Ness – Philanthropy (captions available in both FR and EN). Enjoy this video with a transcript (En).

Raquel is also the co-director of Orillia’s branch of Ripple of Kindness. In 2018, seeing a need and opportunity for a female-led charitable organization in Orillia, she, along with Amber McGarvey-Moreland, reached out to the founders of Ripple of Kindness in Barrie to create an extension of the charity. Ripple of Kindness is an organization run by women who unite to raise money for other local charities as a way of giving back and supporting their community.

Raquel Ness – Change in Orillia (captions available in both FR and EN). Enjoy this video with a transcript (En).

When you love Orillia, you really love Orillia,
and there’s no wavering from that.