Alison is a facilitator, storyteller, strategist, and deep listener with 20 years experience in the non-profit and philanthropic sectors. She is deeply committed to narratives that centre the interconnectedness of humans within nature, while advancing decolonization and building a more equitable society.
At MakeWay, Alison provides leadership for the communications team, and is focused on weaving together our organizational story of change and leveraging strategic communications to amplify the impact of our diverse partnerships and priorities. Before this, Alison worked with non-profits across Canada including the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society and the Nova Scotia Nature Trust. She has an MA in Media and Communications from Goldsmiths, University of London in the UK.
Alison volunteers on the board of directors for Community Futures Sunshine Coast, which inspires and advances an ecosystem of social entrepreneurship, social enterprise, and impact investing on the Sunshine Coast of BC.
Based in Vancouver, Annie Phan is a Senior Coordinator, Revenue and Donor Relations at MakeWay and works closely with the teams regarding to donations and other revenue processing. She ensures transactions are in compliance with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) policies and guidelines and MakeWay’s policies.
Prior to working at MakeWay, she worked as an accounting specialist in finance and real estate industry. She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from HCM Open University and a Post-Degree in Finance and Accounting from Douglas College.
Ashley Cummings (she/her) is Inuk from Pangnirtung, Nunavut and currently lives in Whitehorse, Yukon. Ashley has spent time working on the Prime Minister’s Youth Council, in various non-profit and grassroots roles, and is a speaker on Northern Indigenous issues such a climate justice and mental wellbeing. She currently serves as chair of Kids Help Phone’s Indigenous Advisory Council as mental healthcare for Indigenous and rural communities is a key focus in her advocacy. Ashley looks forward to bringing her grassroots knowledge into her role with MakeWay. When she isn’t working, she loves to go for long walks, paint, and be creative with her friends!
As our longest standing People Engagement and Learning (PEL) team member, Berni has been supporting people at MakeWay since 2016, providing expert HR advice and support to projects and programs as well as managing HR processes operationally and supporting the implementation of our larger PEL strategy. She is known as a consistent and compassionate leader, and enjoys being able to use her extensive HR experience to support MakeWay changemakers. From partnering with people to discover solutions to challenges, to all things process and policy, she loves the business of people care!
Berni hails from Ireland, and now also calls Vancouver home. She has over ten years of HR experience within both Canada and the UK and holds a Bachelor of Laws LLB (Hons) degree as well as her CIPD and CPHR certification.
Brenda Cinkant is a Finance Analyst supporting the MakeWay Shared Platform team. She is a seasoned finance professional with several years’ experience working a variety of sectors.
Based in Kelowna, BC, on the unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) peoples, she spends her time gardening, forest bathing and enjoying her friends and family.
As the Senior Manager, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Camille provides financial analysis and information to assist the organization in strategic, financial and operations decisions. This position also supports external regulatory reporting. In addition, the Senior Manager will advise on a wide range of cross functional teams including the Executive, Strategic Programs, Development, and Shared Platform teams.
Prior to working for MakeWay, Camille worked for Employment and Social Development Canada in Newfoundland. She has also worked in the banking and accounting industries as well as in the nonprofit sector in Quebec. She has a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in accounting.
Carla Olle, is from the heart of South America. She is originally from Bolivia and moved to Canada in 2005. She has a Business Administrator Bachelor’s Degree, a Master in Financial Markets, and a Bookkeeper Diploma.
She started working with MakeWay as a contractor and is now part of the team since July 2022. She oversees the processing of payments for all MakeWay projects. In other words, she ensures that everyone is happy on time!
She has experience in the Development Construction Industry, looking after different projects. Now that she works with projects focused on the well-being of different communities, she sees her life from a totally different perspective, which she really enjoys. In her free time, she likes crafting, baking, knitting, and of course, watching some good shows on Netflix. If she has more time, she loves to travel.
Elizabeth holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Accountancy. Prior to working at Makeway, she honed her finance expertise working in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. She is honored at having the opportunity to serve the community professionally and through volunteering on non-profit boards. In her free time, she enjoys sunshine, reading, practicing yoga, and spending time with the best dog ever, Pugsley.
Emma Kreuger is the Northern Program Specialist, based out of Arviat, Nunavut. She grew up in Qamani’tuaq (Baker Lake) and settled in Arviat after completing her post-secondary studies in Montreal and Iqaluit. Emma has previously worked with non-profit organizations focused on local, regional, or territorial work in Nunavut. She has also worked with Hinaani Design, a small business that specializes in Inuit apparel and graphic design.
Erin has cultivated a commitment to the co-creation of justice and equity-oriented non-profit and social-benefit work globally over the last 20 years, as a facilitator, executive, and leadership development coach focused on program design, culture building, and organizational learning working with diverse stakeholders to organize for effective change management and strategic alignment for social change.
Erin has an MA in Applied Community Development & Conservation and worked on the US/Mexico borderlands for 12 years as the co-creator and director of the Windsong Peace & Leadership Center, a permaculture ranch & leadership training center focused on immigration and racial justice, accessibility, environmental regeneration, and youth empowerment. She is a co-founder and previous executive director of the Borderlands Restoration Leadership Institute dedicated to shifting Arizona/Sonora economic practices from extraction-based economies toward restoration economies for cultural & ecological sustainability. Returning to Toronto in 2017, Erin was the Head of Global Innovation & Development with WE, and supported the strategic planning work of Future Generations University as their VP of Global Outreach in 2019.
Erin’s work at MakeWay is focused on building a learning culture, advancing equity and justice, employee engagement, training and development, and HR policy and process.
Based in Ontario, Irene is the Finance Manager for MakeWay’s Shared Platform, responsible for supervising and managing the Shared Platform finance support team. Irene partners with project specialists, coordinators, administrators, managers, and directors to ensure that projects benefit from the administrative resources and expertise of the shared platform. Prior to working for MakeWay, Irene has several years of finance experience across the financial service sector. She has a Master of Business Administration (MBA), holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and is working towards her CPA designation.
Jennifer Kilabuk, joined the MakeWay team as Senior Associate for Inuit Nunangat. Based in Iqaluit, NU her role focuses on building meaningful relationships and partnering with Inuit communities, leaders and organizations to enable community-driven solutions. She is an alumni of Nunavut Sivuniksavut and studied at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in British Colombia. Jennifer was most recently an Aquatic Science Technician for Fisheries and Oceans Canada in their Arctic Aquatic Research Division.
Jennifer has spent most of her career chasing her passions and comes with a background in youth empowerment, cultural revitalization, natural sciences, and climate change adaptation. Jennifer is passionate about Indigenous-led land and water stewardship and self-determination. Jennifer is also a member of the Nunavut Climate Change Youth Advisory Committee, whose mission is to raise awareness, empower youth, share knowledge and take action on climate adaptation and emission reduction through an Inuit perspective.
Jessica is Anishinaabe Kwe and a member of Chippewa of the Thames First Nation. She lives with gratitude on traditional territory of the Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation. Jessica joined MakeWay as Program Specialist on the National Program Team in July 2022. In her role, she supports the growing programs in Saskatchewan and Northern Ontario and is currently the chair of the Indigenous Employee Network at MakeWay. In her free time, she enjoys exploring on her bike and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Joanna Kerr is the President and CEO of MakeWay.
She has dedicated her career to advancing social justice and women’s rights, a healthy environment, and strong civil society. Prior to joining MakeWay in 2019, Joanna led Greenpeace Canada for over 5 years. She was the first female Chief Executive of ActionAid International based in South Africa, and the Executive Director of the Association for Women’s Rights in Development.
She currently serves as the Chair of the Equality Fund, Canada’s global fund for women, and is the International Board Chair of World Animal Protection. She is also the Lake Steward for the lake she can often be found near.
Julie Price leads a strategic grantmaking program called the Northern Manitoba Food, Culture & Community Fund. This fund is a collaboration between 10 organizations and its purpose is to support local projects that increase access to healthy food, improve community health, and drive community economic development.
Julie was born and raised in Manitoba, where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture followed by a Masters in Natural Resource Management. Prior to joining MakeWay, she worked in large-scale animal agriculture and then spent a decade with Heifer Canada, working with communities in Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Manitoba to improve local food systems and reduce hunger and poverty. As an active member of her community, Julie has supported and facilitated the development of local organizations including the Farmers’ Markets Association of Manitoba, Harvest Moon Local Food initiative, Fort Whyte Farms, and Manitoba Farm Mentorship. She is a founding board member of Food Matters Manitoba, a provincial food security organization.
Julie has a strong belief in the wisdom of communities. Her development philosophy is to listen, learn, and adapt to local needs.
Well-respected in the philanthropy, sustainability, and social innovation sectors across Canada, Josh (he/him) has a passion for advancing impactful community programming.
At MakeWay, Josh helps lead the Advised Funds program and Advisory Services engagements, helping the organization’s philanthropic partners generate deep and lasting impact in the community sector.
His past work has included meaningful leadership roles with a number of impactful organizations, including The Howl Experience (Director of Strategic Partnerships), Ecology Ottawa (Executive Director), McConnell Foundation (Innoweave Program Manager), and The Natural Step Canada (Senior Manager of Youth Sustainability Leadership), among others.
Josh is grateful to live, love, work, and play on unceded Algonquin Territory. He is very engaged in his community in Ottawa, including serving on the Ottawa Community Foundation’s Community Grants committee. When he’s not busy trying to save the planet, Josh enjoys gardening, cooking, cycling year-round, canoeing, camping, yoga, hiking, XC skiing, and reading in his hammock.
KeunWoo joined the MakeWay team in 2018 and supports MakeWay Foundation as a Business Analyst. He is based in Vancouver, BC. Prior to working at MakeWay, worked as a business planning and analysis manager at Citigroup and Samsung. Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, he completed a Bachelor of Business Management before moving to Canada.
Killulark Arngna’naaq is the Northern Program Manager based in MakeWay’s Yellowknife office. She is originally from Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut but grew up in Yellowknife and parts of Ontario. She works with both the shared platform as well as the strategic programs team. She also volunteers with several nonprofits organizations, applying her formal training to several causes, primarily arts and/or Indigenous based.
Kim Hardy works with funders and grantees to find strategic philanthropic uncommon solutions for the common good with special focus on Canada’s West Coast and Northern geographies. She has worked extensively with First Nations, development corporations and rural communities on community-based economic development projects in BC and the Yukon. Kim completed her MBA in Community Economic Development at Cape Breton University after studying psychology at the University of Victoria and completing the Community Economic Development certificate at Simon Fraser University. She has been an active member of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network, participating on the BC/Yukon Council and is currently contributing to Genuine Progress Pacific as a Board Member.
In working with MakeWay, Lee Burton plays a leadership role in developing customized philanthropic solutions for individual philanthropists, private foundations, and corporations. Accessing a unique suite of tools that includes donor advised funds, impact investment options, and a shared platform for charitable projects, MakeWay builds bridges among sectors, and helps to steer philanthropy into innovative work that can address tough social and environmental challenges.
Lizzie joined MakeWay in July 2019 as the Director of the Shared Platform and is based in the Vancouver office. She works with multiple departments to oversee the coordination of resources and the delivery of supports to projects on the Shared Platform.
Lizzie has worked in the nonprofit sector in Canada and the UK for over ten years in a variety of roles, including consulting with a diverse range of charities in their human resources and operations. Prior to joining MakeWay, Lizzie was the operational leader for SOGI 1 2 3, a collaborative education initiative that has been adopted by all school boards in BC.
Lizzie is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources in BC and a Certified Associate in Project Management.
Lori Tagoona Randall joined the MakeWay team as Senior Associate for Inuit Nunangat. Based in Iqaluit, NU her role focuses on building meaningful relationships and partnering with Inuit communities, leaders and organizations to enable community-driven solutions. She is an alumni of Nunavut Sivuniksavut and Canada World Youth and studied at the University of Winnipeg and Athabasca University. Lori was most recently Senior Advisor in the Nunavut Regional Office of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
Lori loves connecting with people who are passionate about creating positive change in the north. She believes that long term and sustainable solutions must revolve around the resurgence of Indigenous ways of being and knowing.
Lori is also a member of the Hinaani Design team, an Inuit owned company which designs clothing and accessories that reflect Inuit culture and Arctic landscapes.
Mariam is based in joy and gratitude on Dish with One Spoon Treaty Territory. Prior to joining MakeWay, Mariam served as a National Program Manager at the YMCA of Greater Toronto and previously at the Ontario Ministry of Education in managing youth programs.
Mariam is passionate about inclusive community driven work and is deeply connected to organizations and people who value social justice and change and is thrilled to continue this work at MakeWay. As a Francophone, she’s also happy to connect in French and enjoys spending time outside, reading, and enjoying music.
Monica (she/her) is a communications professional dedicated to supporting vibrant communities and healthy ecosystems through authentic and impactful storytelling. She finds purpose using creative communications techniques to foster social solidarity and change hearts and minds about pressing social, economic, and environmental issues.
Monica collaborates across the MakeWay team to bring stories, organization learnings, and community perspectives to external audiences. She provides strategic communications support to our partners, develops a wide-range of communications materials, and seeks out opportunities to amplify the voices of staff and partners. Prior to joining MakeWay in 2023, Monica held communications roles at Community Forests International and the McGill Office of Sustainability.
Monica has an MSc in Environmental Management from the University of New Brunswick and a BA in Geography from McGill University. In her leisure time, she enjoys sewing, gardening, and exploring the marshlands around her home in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq.
Natalie joined MakeWay in 2013 and provides compliance administration, training, and advice to teams across the organization. She has been part of the nonprofit and charity sector since 2004 in volunteer, employee, contractor, and board member roles. Throughout her career, Natalie has focused on the value of governance and operations in helping organizations effectively and efficiently realize their missions. As part of her ongoing learning, Natalie strives to integrate Indigenous legal concepts and UNDRIP into her approach to compliance.
Prior to joining MakeWay, Natalie led business development and grant management at a nonprofit promoting residential energy efficiency. She currently serves on the board of Hives for Humanity and volunteers with the Vancouver Farmers’ Market and her local Adopt a Catch Basin program.
Nicole (Akum) is originally from Mittimatalik, Nunavut and is based in Whitehorse, Yukon. She joined MakeWay in November 2020. As a Northern Operation Specialist, Akum provides financial support to the northern projects on the Shared Platform and occasionally provides project specialist supports to project. Akum completed her Business Accounting diploma through Algonquin College in April 2021 and has worked in various government positions prior to joining MakeWay. Akum’s priorities are mental wellness and suicide prevention. She is an ASIST trainer through LivingWorks and has done several workshops in various communities in Nunavut, supported by Embrace Life Council. She hopes to continue to do this work in the Yukon.
Monika joined the MakeWay team in December 2021. In the newly developed role of Compliance Coordinator, Monika will provide support with a variety of items including health and safety, lobbying, contracts, elections advertising, privacy, DAFs, grant making, T3010s and AGMs and society filings.
Prior to joining MakeWay, Monika worked in the public sector, with a focus on municipal drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater compliance. Monika has a diploma in Environmental Technology from Georgian College.
Norah collaborates with teams across the organization on a range of communications and marketing projects related to grantmaking, development, public and media relations, and the shared platform. As Senior Communication Specialist, she is responsible for connecting our community, marketing our tools and offerings, and sharing MakeWay’s story across multiple communications platforms.
Norah’s communications experience spans roles in the private sector, government, and nonprofits. Prior to joining MakeWay in 2017, she worked with the Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE), a nonprofit organization focused on helping institutional investors who have an interest in responsible (ESG) investment.
Norah has a MA in Global Media and Transnational Communications from Goldsmiths, University of London and a BA in Communications Studies from York University.
Seda is a Program Coordinator at MakeWay and supports grant making, funds and projects in the Pacific.
Seda has extensive experience with the non-profit and international organizations in such areas as community development, health and equality. Prior to joining MakeWay, she worked with United Nations Population Fund coordinating strategic partnerships with faith-based organizations in the region of Europe and Central Asia.
Seda holds a Master’s Degree in Translation and is a Certified Associate in Project Management. In her leisure time Seda enjoys books, long walks and photography.
Shannon grew up canoeing on the lakes of Southern Ontario where she nurtured a passion for aquatic insects and terrestrial plants. She moved to Prince George in 2010 to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Recreation and Conservation.
When she graduated in 2014, she had gained a great appreciation for the community-based non-profits doing work to protect and educate on our natural world. Following this appreciation, she worked in a variety of fields from recreation to environmental education and found her niche in water stewardship after moving to the Columbia Valley in 2018. Here she served as the Executive Director to the Lake Windermere Ambassadors and contracted to other water focused organizations and projects.
Shannon joined the MakeWay team in 2022 to support projects and priorities relating to freshwater at MakeWay. Shannon is based in the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa and Secwepemc Peoples, Invermere, BC, where you can find her out mountain biking, skiing, or knitting in her spare time.
Sharita has been at MakeWay since 2019, and provides operational support to initiatives on the shared platform as a Project Specialist. Sharita completed a 5 year co-op Honors degree in Environment and Business at the University of Waterloo, and landed fellowships with two different entrepreneurial start-up programs – GreenHouse and Venture For Canada.
Sharita has a packed resume of experience in almost every sector: government, research, journalism, consulting, agriculture, art, start-ups, and academics. Sharita has a long history of activism and organizing in the environmental and social sectors, and is honored to be able to bring their passion and skill to the MakeWay team.
A true Gemini, Sharita has a million different interests, and can often be found tattooing (or getting tattooed), hiking, dancing, reading, writing, cooking, and gardening.
At MakeWay, Simi provides financial reporting and analysis information to assist strategic decision making as well as support external regulatory reporting.
Prior to joining MakeWay, she has worked with several non-profit organisations including Bredin Centre for Career Advancement, British Council as well as other industries providing services in full cycle accounting, financial reporting and analysis.
She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). She is based in Edmonton, Alberta. Simi enjoys dancing, interior decoration and visiting new places.
Stephen grew up twice. He spent his childhood in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and his early forays into the Canadian Shield and prairies fostered a great love of the land. He then spent his early adulthood in Lutsel K’e, Northwest Territories amongst the Denesoline, and there adopted a deep appreciation for the people, land, and culture. There he and his wife Tracey started raising their family, and he worked with Indigenous peoples to address critical land, resource, and governance issues for fifteen years.
Now living with his family in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Stephen works as Program Lead, Northern Canada for MakeWay, a national philanthropic foundation devoted to fostering community solutions to environmental sustainability, economic prosperity, and community wellbeing challenges. He is focused on working with northerners to amplify next generation northern leadership, foster sustainable livelihoods, achieve wise land and water stewardship, and catalyze cultural resurgence.
Todd Jaques collaborates with projects and partners to build uncommon solutions for the common good, including growing and cultivating the MakeWay project community, building impact investing partnerships, and innovating the shared platform model. Prior to joining MakeWay, Todd was the Director of Operations and Agriculture Partnerships at the Ontario Association of Food Banks, where he was responsible for creating new programs to increase food banks’ participation in sustainable food systems.
Talitha Tolles is the Senior Manager of Learning and Development, she is a facilitator, storyteller, beadwork artist, and is member of the Georgian Bay Métis Community.
Talitha comes from an extensive background in program development, community mobilization and engagement, adult education, culture building, and creating optimal and accessible learning environments for growth. Talitha finds joy in bringing people together and supporting them in finding their passion and drive for justice. Her methods are experiential, community-based, and rooted in action. When she isn’t working you can find her beading or by the nearest body of water.
Aerin Jacob has worked in research, conservation, teaching, and consulting across North America, East Africa, and Central America for nearly 20 years. As the National Director of Science and Research for the Nature Conservancy of Canada, she conducts, supports, and uses scientific research and other forms of knowledge to improve conservation across the country. Aerin is active in science outreach and communication via public lectures, storytelling, and media and policy engagement, including scientific advice to governments about endangered species, protected areas, landscape planning, and the benefits that people get from nature. Previously, she worked as a conservation scientist at the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, served on the board of the Society for Conservation Biology North America, and was a recipient of the Liber Ero Fellowship, a scholar with the Sustainable Canada Dialogues, and a Wilburforce Fellow in Conservation Science. Aerin holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia and a doctorate from McGill University, and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Victoria.
Barend supports nonprofits and social enterprises. He served as an EIR at UBC and as a member of the impact investment committee at Vancity. He co-founded the National Social Value Fund, now Propel, a student-led impact investment fund active at seven universities across Canada. Barend served on the board of Pharmaccess Foundation and chaired the investment committee of the Investment Fund for Health in Africa. He was the founding president of MVCA and chaired its impact investment committee. He is the founder of Helder Ventures in Vancouver.
Biboye (Bo) is the Executive Director of Leading Change, where he is responsible for the operations, fundraising, and strategic planning of the organization. As the son of Nigerian immigrants and also having lived in multiple countries, Bo is a self-described global citizen. He is passionate about the relationships between urbanism, ecology, social justice, and how we can embrace the wisdom of the natural world within the places that we live. Bo studied urban ecology at Thompson Rivers University where he was a Sustainability Ambassador, advocating for more sustainable practices and behaviours on campus. He also spent time at Aalborg University in Denmark, completing the Climate Science and Sustainable Cities Master’s Program. Through his time at Aalborg University, Bo had the opportunity to engage with local and national stakeholders in various projects and policy proposals – learning more about what sustainability looks like on the Danish national stage and in Europe. With Leading Change, Bo is working to empower youth sustainability leadership across Canada. He sees this next decade as a critical opportunity to introduce a new set of values and norms into the workplace in order to help Canada reach its climate goals in a sustainable, equitable, and socially-just manner.
Caroline Merner (she/her) is a climate, nature and youth advocate. Caroline co-founded Youth4Nature (formerly Climate Guides), a youth-led non-profit mobilizing youth to advocate for intersectional solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises. For the past five years, Caroline has worked in public engagement on climate action and conservation through government, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations, including the Canadian Institute for Climate Choices, the University of British Columbia, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ocean Wise, and Parks Canada. For her work, she was named among the Top 25 under 25 Environmentalists in Canada, Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders in Canada, and a Young Women for Nature by Nature Canada. Caroline holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability and International Development from Dalhousie University. She is currently a Master’s candidate and McCall MacBain Scholar studying to advance equitable climate and environmental policy at the Max Bell School of Public Policy in Tiohtià:ke (Montréal) on the unceded territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) Nation.
Cathy Galligos is a proud Indigenous woman from the Tla’amin Nation, is married and has 3 children. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Thompson River University and a Bachelor of Law degree from UBC. From 2008 to present, she has worked in the lands and natural resources field and has a variety of work experience working with First Nations organizations, municipalities, regional districts, non-profit organizations and provincial and federal government departments. In her spare time, she enjoys watching her kids sport activities, walking her husky in the forest trails, ATVing, harvesting berries, fishing and hunting with her husband.
At the intersection of Indigenous sovereignty, technological advancement and a rapidly expanding technology and innovation economy in demand of new ideas and new skills, Denise has the privilege of working with Indigenous peoples, governments, academics, technology futurists, and social change makers to map the ecosystem that will result in fair and equitable access to the tools and education required for success in the digital age. Denise leads a theory of change that will not only ensure Indigenous peoples are competitive in BC’s technology and innovation sector, but leading and growing local digital economies.
With a passion for contributing and volunteering in initiatives and organizations that influence real change and the advancement of truth and reconciliation, Denise proudly serves as the President of the Urban Native Youth Association, advisor on innovation to the Governor General of Canada, Status of Women Canada’s Indigenous Women’s Circle, on the board of the First Mile Connectivity Consortium, Vancouver Economic Commission, and on the Simon Fraser University Board of Governors as Alumni-in-Order, where she earned her masters degree in business administration in 2015.
Erica is Global Head of Innovation & Sustainable Finance at SecondMuse Capital, the finance and investment management arm of SecondMuse, a global innovation agency dedicated to building inclusive economies around the world. As part of SecondMuse Capital’s leadership team, Erica oversees strategy, ESG integration and impact across various funds and the development of blended finance mechanisms to support large asset owners and investors in mobilizing capital to advance the SDGs and connect with new economies around the world.
Erica joined SecondMuse Capital after a decade as Director of Solutions Finance at The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, where she led strategies for financial innovation and integration of the Foundation’s financial assets to support social and economic system’s transformation. Erica spearheaded the Foundation’s impact investing practice, overseeing the management of a multi-asset impact investing portfolio ($130M AUM), including blended finance approaches; and ESG integration within the Foundation’s endowment ($650M AUM). She also led a portfolio of national market-building initiatives. Erica joined the Foundation with 13 years of global professional experience in the private sector and international development, primarily in Latin America, Canada and the UK. She sits on Advisory Boards of various investment funds in Canada, and is adviser for international development projects. She co-founded Educating the Streets-Building Society, an award-winning program for capabilities development of youth and working children in Bolivia. She completed undergraduate studies in behavioral psychology and neuroscience, holds an MPA in Public and Economic Policy from the London School of Economics & Political Science. She specializes in innovation and systems dynamics for inclusive economic development.
Leslie is a food justice advocate with a background in tropical agroecology and community food security. He current serves as a Policy Development Officer for the City of Toronto where he works on poverty reduction strategies. Previously, he worked as the Senior Coordinator, Special Projects for FoodShare Toronto, where he supported community-led food access initiatives, research, and advocacy. Leslie’s work seeks to examine and combat the many systems of oppression – systems like colonialism, capitalism, systemic racism, and patriarchy – that hold poverty in place. Leslie has a Masters degree in Geography focusing on the social and ecological aspects of food systems. He is a member of the Toronto Food Policy Council and works as a food systems research consultant.
Lasänmą—Katie Johnson is a member of the Agünda (Wolf) Clan and a citizen of Kluane First Nation. A creative visionary working with northern peoples for the past two decades, she is committed to generating positive outcomes for Yukon First Nations through community-led initiatives by First Nations, not-for-profit groups and businesses.
She produced The Gathering of Northern Nations pan-northern indigenous cultural expo during the 2007 Canada Winter Games, which led to her role as Co-producer of the highly acclaimed Yukon 2010 First Nations performing and visual arts events at the Vancouver Olympics. That experience propelled the momentum for founding the Adäka Cultural Festival in Whitehorse, Yukon. She has also served as Director of Arts and Executive Director of the Yukon First Nations Culture & Tourism Association, promoting community economic and social development through Indigenous arts, culture, and tourism.
Katie believes in building bridges and partnerships across cultures and regions, to foster Reconciliation through action. She is an experienced and successful entrepreneur, steadily growing her Bella Elite Consulting business since 2011. She contributes to her Nation as Chair of Kluane Dana Shäw Corporation working with board members to strategize and implement investment opportunities for the future health and well-being of its citizens. Most recently she coordinated the publication of Lhù’ààn Mân Keyi Dań Kwánje Nààtsat Kluane Lake Country People Speak Strong, a community history based on the lives of Elders.
Honoring her ancestral roots, Katie renews her energy and maintains connections to traditional values through learning her Southern Tutchone language and spending time on the land with her daughter Bella, family, community and Elders in Asi Keyi—Kluane country.
Maxine is an innovative team builder with a longstanding commitment to serving Black communities and feminist organizations. Currently, Maxine is a Senior Director with the Government of Canada. Throughout her professional career she has held executive level positions within federal public service since 2006 and has ten years of private sector marketing experience. Over the last 20 years, Maxine has committed to addressing gender-based and racial discrimination through in-kind support as a volunteer for local and global community organizations.
As Co-chair of the Black History Ottawa Committee, she worked to increase awareness of Black History Month in the nation’s capital. She also served as Board member of the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre and as Treasurer on the MATCH International Women’s Fund Board of Directors where she helped launch the Equality Fund, an innovative new collaboration designed to deliver new momentum for women’s movements.
Maxine brings a wealth of financial management expertise to the MakeWay Board, and her passion for racial justice and gender equality is an energizing addition as we continue to support community-led initiatives at the intersection of social justice and the environment. Maxine holds an MBA in marketing and international business from McGill University as well as a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa. Maxine is multilingual: fluent in English and French, with intermediate, conversational Spanish.
Over the last decade, MJ has worked in impact and responsible investing across stages, sectors, geographies, asset classes, organizations etc. As social entrepreneur-operator and an investor, Mritunjay (MJ) helped build a multi-million-dollar micro-loan portfolio in rural India and helped create a co-operative that served over 200 entrepreneurs. Since moving to Canada, MJ has helped deploy over C$400M through private-market impact investing, and another C$500M through responsible investment strategies for several family offices, foundations, and financial institutions.
MJ is a Board Director and Treasurer for Definity Insurance Foundation; a Board Director for Philanthropic Foundations Canada, Tapestry Capital, and MakeWay Foundation Canada; and sits on the Impact Investment Committee for the Laidlaw Foundation.
MJ’s passion for social change is complemented by his prior experience in Capital Markets, Corporate Strategy, and Global Health, and his degrees in Computer Engineering and M.B.A.
Raïsa is a systems change leader, designer, researcher, facilitator and photographer with experience supporting social impact driven programs in over 20 countries in a variety of sectors and roles.
She is the founder of several creative impact focused initiatives including WabiSabiJetty, a rural design & innovation studio in Newfoundland & Labrador; MixMix, an ethical spice company in Ethiopia and UWCOnePeace, a sustainable apparel company.
As Director of Innovation and Knowledge Management at the One Drop Foundation, Raïsa Mirza supports learning, sharing and innovating for greater impact within the scope of 15+ water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) projects around the world. Previously, Raïsa was a behavioural design researcher with GRID Impact consulting on policies, programs, and products in Africa and Asia. At the One Acre Fund in Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Tanzania, she led large scale behaviour change trials and initial market entry strategies through government systems strengthening. She has also served as Director of Communications at the UWC Mahindra College in India.
Raïsa holds a Bachelor’s degree from McGill University, and did graduate studies in Rural Geography at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She is also a proud graduate of Pearson UWC of the Pacific.
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