When life is lived with an abundance mentality, doors open and opportunities come. Magic—yes, magic—can be made.
It’s with this vision that Roger and Jenny Hardy started the Hardy Family Foundation. After all, life’s simply too short to not go for it, and the foundation is their way to empower others to achieve great things.
The overall goal of the Hardy Family Foundation is to give back to communities in Canada and around the globe. Roger has a strong belief in equality. This has motivated him to be highly involved in philanthropic work all his life. Roger wants to do his part to help people realize their full potential.
As a successful entrepreneur, Roger Hardy’s professional career has been all about empowering consumers and making their lives easier. In 2000, Roger founded Coastal Contacts Inc, a startup that would quickly become the leading online retailer of eyewear. His involvement and success in the optical industry enabled him and Jenny to create Change the View, a vision charity that has donated more than one million pairs of glasses to people in need in countries around the world, like Kenya, El Salvador, and India.
Throughout his career, Roger Hardy has been a donor and participant in many charitable organizations, such as The Red Cross, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver Food Bank, Vancouver Police Foundation, and Coast Mental Health Foundation. At Bishop’s University, he established the Hardy Endowment Fund to pay tuition for a student in need each year.
When Roger sold Coastal Contacts Inc to Essilor in 2014, he found himself with the time and opportunity to do even more for his community and beyond. This is when the idea for the Hardy Family Foundation was born.
From children’s charities to health and wellness initiatives to higher education, the Hardy Family Foundation is committed to helping a variety of people and industries at the local, national, and global level. Roger gets excitement from people doing exciting things—and feels everyone should have the chance to do something amazing. He believes the Hardy Family Foundation can provide the resources for many people to chase their dreams.
As an entrepreneur who took a small startup all the way to a highly lucrative exit, Roger Hardy knows what success looks like. He’s also encountered failures, which have taught him how to overcome roadblocks and come out stronger and wiser. He brings all this expertise and experience to his philanthropic endeavors. With a never-say-die attitude and the right support, Roger believes people can truly be the best they can be.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Roger’s love for the ski slopes called him to Whistler. After snowmobiling and skiing for a while, he decided to settle down in Vancouver. He wanted to see what he could accomplish in the booming tech hub—and he never looked back.
Today, Roger Hardy is glad his success has enabled him to do great things for others. The Hardy Family Foundation is his biggest philanthropic mission yet. He has big goals for the organization.
When Roger isn’t busy at the Hardy Family Foundation, he’s spending time with his family. He especially loves taking his four children (three daughters and one son) to school activities and sporting events. Roger also serves as the CEO and Chairman of Hardy Capital, a Canadian merchant bank that fosters the growth of promising startups.
