Community Is Everything

I went to write a post shouting out a few people for International Women’s Day… and it grew into a very long list that still feels incomplete, but all the more important. Some of these folks I’ve known for over a decade, some are new connections, some are new to their fields, some have switched careers, some are respected experts and leaders, some are working mothers, some have amazing secondary creative pursuits in art and poetry, some are nonbinary badasses, some are in Canada — many are not.

What they all have in common is that they are compassionate, community oriented people who inspire and impress.

Fantastic Fundraisers

• Sarah Ali: Sarah and I met over a decade ago and stayed in touch. She runs Sarah Ali Digital, a fundraising shop, and supports the growth of Muslim women in the sector.

• Nida Malik: Nida is on Sarah Ali’s team, pushing campaigns into market and solving problems faster than you can finish asking the question.

• Molly DeHaan: Molly and I worked together at Cystic Fibrosis Canada several years ago, her fundraising expertise knows no bounds.

• Sumaiya Tufail: I’ve connected to recently through Sarah Ali, energetic, clever, and really gets things done.

• Cinthia Bunford: Cinthia and I worked together at a digital marketing shop where we weren’t just colleagues, we were cheerleaders.

• Joyce Waquil: Joy for short, and aptly named, Joy currently works in development in the arts and culture sector.

Magical Marketers

• Jessica Urdangarin: Jess and I worked together through several challenges at a shop together, and still made magic. Her leadership and commitment is unparalleled.

• Midhya Pokkolath: Midhya worked with Jess and I and is someone who I’m sure is a rising star in the sector.

• Barbara Agee: I hired Barbara as a bilingual comms coordinator years ago at Cystic Fibrosis Canada — an organization she has remained committed to and has grown into something amazing.

• Sara Hyder: Sara was one of my client contacts when I worked on Oxfam marketing. She is so much fun to work with.

• Morgan Davidson: Morgan and I worked at Cystic Fibrosis Canada, then we worked at the same marketing shop but at different times. She’s authentic and funny, and she also introduced me to my therapist for what its worth.

• Stef Jones: Stef and I met when she was a client at an agency I worked at, I’ve gotten to see Stef move agency side — AND get the best memes.

Digital Professionals

• Zahra Datoo: Zahra was a project manager of mine at an agency where we worked through complex projects, her problem solving skills and big heart made her an instant friend.

• Tammy Kovich: Is another project manager superstar, deeply invested in labour equity, and all around radical human being.

• Mehak Raza: I met Mehak through Sarah Ali Digital and she manages to make clients and strategists alike feel like best friends.

• Safa Abdul Karim: Safa is another SA Digital connection; eager, funny, and it happens to be her birthday tomorrow so here’s a hidden happy birthday wish to Safa.

• Jaycee Tu: Is a multi-hyphenate strategist, project manager, artist, creative, mother, friend, warm, wonderful human.

• Anna Lermer: If you need data analysis or reporting Anna’s deep dives are like — deep sea level, angler fish and weird jellies deep.

Comms Experts:

• Kathyrn LeBlanc: Kathryn runs LeBlanc (&co); an impact driven communications consultancy.

• Miranda Hassell: Miranda and I met over a decade ago during the era of Women in Toronto Politics; a grassroots organization we were both involved in. Miranda leads political and union campaigns.

• Sarah Dillon: Sarah was my creative bestie and self-appointed meme daddy at an agency, top tier sense of humour and justice.

• Imen Zarrouk: Imen is an SA Digital alum, ray of sunshine, and has convinced me to visit Tunisia sometime soon for the coffee.

• Mayeesha: May works political campaigns, and by works I mean W-O-R-K-S.

• Kelly Small: Kelly Small is the founder of Intents & Purposes, they also worked at the same agency I did a few years before I did, and sat on the same board I served on a few years before I did. It was all coincidence… but I’m watching out on next steps in case there is some sort of alternate timeline space time continuum glitch in the matrix.

Leaders With Heart

• Jill Andrew: My former MPP and current friend, Jill has the most integrity and biggest heart in Ontario politics.

• Renée Cable: Renée and I worked closely together on the 2019 Manitoba provincial campaign and she was a marvel and a mentor. It’s not surprising Renée went on to become Manitoba’s Minister of Advanced Education and Training in the next election.

• Jennifer Alldred: I collaborated with Jenn on Oxfam donor marketing for nearly three years, her trust, knowledge, and guidance leads to transformational change.

• Jennifer Hassum: I forget exactly when we became friends, but it was politics related, she’s the ED at Broadbent Institute and the way she cheerleads and uplifts others is heartening.

• Raegan Swanson: Raegan is the ED of ArQuives, who I got to know well when I sat on the board of directors. Raegan’s commitment to justice, equity, and progress is the kind of leadership we need right now.

• Shanaaz Gokool: Shanaaz is an experienced Non-Profit Executive Director who isn’t afraid to have tough, honest conversations. Her voice and leadership is pivotal in the sector.

Amazing Advocates:

• Diana Chan McNally: Sometimes collaborator, full time friend, Diana is a powerhouse advocate for unhoused neighbours at municipal, provincial, and federal levels.

• Laura Anonen: We met at a young leaders summit…while we might be far from eligible for a young anything these days we’ve seen each other through political roles, back pain, and more. Her tenant advocacy is changing the game.

• Lorraine Lam: Lorraine was introduced to me through Diana and now also works with our mutual friend Vicky. Lorraine is a frontline worker, homelessness advocate, and empathetic human.

• Farrah Khan: Farrah and I met at some point during the Rob Ford era of Toronto politics. Over the years I’ve watched her advocate for many issues from reproductive health, to gender-based violence, to health equity.

• Amara Possian: I think we met around the 2015 Federal election some time, and in the years since have got to watch so much work from political candidacy to workshops, but most impressive is Amara’s voice in environmental issues which has been pivotal and consistent.

• Emily Derouin: Emily and I met on an ill-fated campaign but bonded through the experience, and she’s become a close friend. She doesn’t like being the centre of attention, but she lives her advocacy daily like no other. Whether it’s supporting fellow students, bystander intervention, connecting friends to services…. she is relentless in a good way.

Tech Equity

• Septembre Samuels: Septembre and I have been bookclub pals, neighbours, friends, and seen each other through different career pivots. My favourite work stories from her are after she does a workshop with Black Kids Code, because her joy is palpable.

• Bianca Wylie: Bianca fought Google and won, she’s now the voice I listen to most when it comes to AI legislation in Canada.

• Sharlene Gandhi: Sharlene covers non-profit tech with Future of Good, I love every one of her stories.

• Arianna Trujillo-John: Ari is the cofounder of OpenField: a canvassing app that lets you organize everywhere.

• Saadia Muzaffar: Saadia is the founder of TechGirls Canada, which has recently been publishing the newsletter Reclaiming Ambition which I’ve really loved.

• Lizzie O’Shea: An author, a lawyer, an all around cool person. Lizzie wrote Future Histories, which changed my relationship with technology and organizing.

Sector Superstars

• Robyn Schwarz: Fun fact, the first time I spoke to Robyn she exclaimed “I know your girlfriend!” and I had to reveal we had just broken up. MORE fun fact Robyn is part historian part community organizer part nonprofit consultant, and cofounder of Dumbo Octopus consulting.

• Jessica Pang-Parks: Jessica and I met more recently at a summit, and I’ve been blown away by her insights and approach to volunteer management.

• Rudayna Bahubeshi: Rudayna and I met through Women in Toronto Politics, a grassroots organization active during and after the Rob Ford mayoral era. I’ve gotten to see Rudayna’s career growth from afar, she’s done a lot of amazing work, and is currently a Principal Strategist at really cool place Evenings & Weekends.

• JJ Fueser: Corporate researcher and governance expert, as one half of MetStrat she is fighting privatization of our public services on multiple fronts.

• Ornella Roman Millor: Ornella and I worked together at Ontario’s New Democratic Party for three years, she was my favourite organizer to work with — whip smart, compassionate, organized, and a great listener. She’s now campaigning with OPSEU.

• Anita Li: Anita is also someone I’ve only met this year, the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Green Line. It is a hyperlocal publication that brings communities together in Toronto using tools, guides, stories, and events.