Sounding Boards
The idea behind Sounding Boards is fairly simple. It starts with coffee and questions. It leads to connection. We want to set up casual meetings among people who are passionate about, and interested in issues and ideas that affect the future of the nonprofit sector.
A group of experienced leaders in the nonprofit sector have signed on to be a part of Sounding Boards. If you're interested in meeting with one of these individuals, round two of applications will be released in 2016. CTS will match selected applicants with one of our nonprofit profesionals. After your meeting, we ask that you write up some reflections from your conversation, which will be shared on the CTS blog. These blog entries will act as catalysts for further conversation on the shape and future of the nonprofit sector.
Meet some Sounding Boards!
Michelle Baldwin
Michelle Baldwin is the Executive Director of Pillar Nonprofit Network and a social innovator whose personal mission is to be a community connector. Michelle has extensive experience in nonprofit management, social innovation, communications and fundraising. Michelle is a current board member with the Ontario Nonprofit Network and has served on many boards.
Ian Bird
Ian Bird is President of Community Foundations of Canada (CFC), the national network that connects the country's 191 community foundations. A two-time Olympian in field hockey, Ian was well known in the sport community for his ability to bring groups together to affect change. He quickly began doing the same at CFC. From expanding CFC's circle of champions to include new voices and expertise, to building new partnerships based on common interests and outcomes, Ian has worked hard to find new ways for the movement to address complex community issues. Ian will also serve as the Rideau Hall Foundation's first Executive Director while continuing to serve as President of CFC.
Nation Cheong
Nation is the Director of Youth Initiatives at United Way Toronto. For the past 17 years, Nation has dedicated his professional and person time to supporting young people in communities across Toronto. He has held many roles through his career that have all had social, cultural and spirital impact. He is a community animator and developr, artist, drummer, teacher and social change agent. In his role as the United Way's Dreictor of Youth Initiatives, he oversees the implementation of United Way's Youth Success Strategy while supporting the Youth Challenge Fund Legacy initiatives.
Lynn Eakin
Lynn has been providing consulting services to the nonprofit sector since 1989. Currently Lynn, one of the founding members of the Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN), is involved in better positioning the sector to address the cross-cutting policy issues it faces. She continues to engage in sector research and is involved with ONN in identifying, developing and advocating for systemic reforms to improve the ability of the sector to undertake its important work.
Jane Hilderman
Jane is the Executive Director of Samara Canada, a non-partisan charity dedicated to improving political participation and strengthening Canada's democracy. Her past role as Samara's Research Director involved overseeing dynamic projects exploring where Canadians participate in democracy, how Members of Parliament do their jobs, and citizen's perception of politics. Jane is a master's graduate of the School of Public Policy & Governance at the University of Toronto and a graduate of Queen's University. She hails from Camrose, Alberta where she grew up on a family farm.
Ikem Opara
Ikem Opara is a global citizen whose work intersects seamlessly with his passion to build communities and social structures that work for all. He has over ten years of progressively senior roles in the nonprofit and greater public sector in Canada and internationally. As the Strategy Lead, Connected People at the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Canada's largest grant making foundation, Ikem brings his Equity, Diversity and Inclusion expertise to guide the investment of $100M annually in ways that make Ontario communities more inclusive and engaged. He also contributes his time as a volunteer on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Council for International Cooperation, helping steer them to their 20 year goal to be a catalyst for sustainable solutions to global poverty challenges.
Naki Osutei
Naki is currently Director, Public Affairs and Social Legacy for the Organizing Committee of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games. In this role she leads the corporate accessibility, diversity, inclusion strategies and related legacy initiatives.
Before joining TORONTO2015, Naki was the Vice President, Strategy at the Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance. Over nearly six years, she contributed to the design and delivery of initiatives designed to improve social and economic conditions of the Toronto Region. She was the founding director of CivicAction's Emerging Leaders Network and cofounder of DiverseCity Fellows. Among her volunteer roles, Naki was the VicePresident of the Board of Directors for West Neighbourhood House (formerly St. Christopher House) and is a member of Seneca College's Board of Governors.
Ange Valentini
Ange Valentini is Chief of Staff to Adam Vaughan, Member of Parliament for Trinity-Spadina. As a progressive political staffer, campaigner, community organizer and governance geek Ange is passionate about social justice, inclusion and civic engagement.In previous role at City Hall, Ange actualized a progressive agenda focused on enhancing community engagement, land use planning, a parks renaissance and revitalization of social housing. At the provincial level, Ange's portfolio included issues management, compliance audit systems, policy and business process reviews with respect to social assistance programs.
Elections are a critical component to social change. Ange has worked in various management and communications roles on a number of municipal, provincial and federal election campaigns.
Want to meet one of the people listed above?
Applications for round one our currently closed.
Subscribe to find out about round two in 2016
Are you an experienced nonprofit professional who wants to volunteer to be a part of Sounding Boards?
Email us at connector@connectthesector.og