Meet Benjamin Bongolan. Originally from Mississauga, Benjamin now works in Toronto at The 519, where he strives to support communities and impact issues like equity, racism, homophobia, and the challenges of the immigration process. Benjamin wants to build a city where everyone has equal access to supports and feels proud of who they are. To learn more […]
Everyone has a story to tell...
Stories help us to connect, to inspire, to understand. On this page, we share the stories of people in our network who have taught us, entertained us, been a champion for diverse civic leadership, and who have galvanized us to think differently. Be prepared to be inspired.
Why leadership matters
For over 10 years, we’ve brought together senior executives and rising leaders from all sectors to tackle big challenges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Region, let them tell you why leadership really matters, and what we can do when we open doors and minds for the young, emerging and under-represented leaders in our communities.
Being a DiverseCity Fellow has been a tremendous privilege. I have experienced first-hand how the combination of diverse perspectives and a shared vision produces a creative tension that leads to innovative and better solutions.
Jenn Miller2011 CivicAction DiverseCity Fellow; Director, Social Investment, Atkinson Foundation
Leaders shape our cities, making them vibrant places to live, work, play and grow old. CivicAction’s leadership programs expose rising leaders to new networks and ideas and provide them with the skills to become the kind of collaborative leaders that cities need.
The Honourable Mitzie HunterELN Founding Member; MPP (Scarborough-Guildwood), Minister of Education, Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The
Emerging Leaders Network has not only allowed me the opportunity to access
informative and relevant programming about civic action (a subject that I had
very little experience in) but it has also encouraged me to engage with my
peers. It’s one thing to know that you have opportunities to grow but it’s
another thing when you’re encouraged to act on those opportunities, ELN gives
you the space to ask, meet and engage.
Meryam Al-waadh2018-2019 ELN Events and Programming Lead; Consultant, Deloitte
The DiverseCity Fellows program has been a great way to get more connected beyond my own sector and apply invaluable lessons in leadership to my endeavors.
Ramtin AttarCivicAction DiverseCity Fellow 2013-2014; Senior Principal Research Scientist, Autodesk Research
Being an ELN Co-Chair has been a professional development rocketship.
Not only has it allowed me to strengthen my leadership skills, but it’s also
provided unparalleled access to new opportunities and opened new doors.
Jesse Darling2018-2019 ELN Co-Chair; Manager, Policy Innovation Platform, Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship
Spotlight on our Members
The Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) brings together diverse, energetic and motivated city-builders from across our region, each with a unique story to tell about where they came from, what they’re passionate about, and where they want to go next. Check back often – new profiles are added regularly.
ELN Member Spotlight: Justin Wiebe
Justin Wiebe is Métis and was born in the Métis Homeland and Treaty 6 Territory in Saskatoon, lived on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil Waututh Territory in Vancouver. He is most interested in resolving the inequality that continues to plague our region, and thinks there’s much more work to be done to strengthen relationships across differences […]
From out of “The Cuckoo’s Nest,” Pat Capponi embodies true and honest leadership
Pat Capponi is CivicAction’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award for civic leadership recipient. A tireless mental health advocate, Pat was recognized for her work at MetroNext on March 23, 2018 at Union Station. For more leadership spotlights, click here. — Imagine being discharged from a mental health facility and attempting to get back on your feet, […]
Like father, like daughter: Karen Restoule and the power of conversation
Karen Restoule is CivicAction’s 2018 Emerging Leader Award recipient. A leading convener and rising Indigenous champion, Karen was recognized for her work at MetroNext on March 23, 2018 at Union Station. For more leadership spotlights, click here. — When Karen Restoule speaks of her late father Robert, it’s clear how much he meant to her. […]
8 GTHA women who #PressForProgress
They’re fierce, talented, and driving real change. For International Women’s Day 2018 we’re featuring 8 amazing women from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area who #PressForProgress in all they do. Today, take some time to read the stories of the women below, and join @CivicActionGTHA on Twitter in using #PressForProgress today to share what issues […]
Leadership In Focus: Dr. Joseph Wong
Dr. Joseph Wong has contributed greatly to civic life across our region and has had great impact as a social activist in the Chinese Community. In all his work, Joseph has proven how successful community building is when we tap into the diversity and multiculturalism across our region. As Chair of the Board he used his […]
ELN Member spotlight: Emily Mills
Emily Mills is the founder of How She Hustles – a dynamic network of diverse women that continues to grow by word of mouth, social media and sold-out events. As a trained communications professional, Emily works relentlessly to ensure the stories of racialized communities and diverse women are always at the forefront. She is a […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Duaa Mohamed
Duaa Mohamed a former CivicAction staff member is a strong social and youth advocate who aspires to help empower youth by creating opportunities and breaking barriers. She currently works with the Youth Livelihood’s Team at the MasterCard Foundation as a Program Analyst. Throughout her career, she has worked to empower disadvantaged youth with several local non-for-profit […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Brandon Hay
Brandon Hay is the founder of the Black Daddies Club, where since 2007 he has reached and engaged over 6,500 Black fathers and children. He founded the support group because he realised that there was a real lack of parenting resources for him and other fathers in his community. Today, the group works to support Black […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Arjun Lombardi-Singh
Arjun Lombardi-Singh is a dynamic public relations and communications specialist with experience in both the non-profit and private sectors. Right now, Arjun is at RBC working as a Manager, Corporate Communications, Personal and Commercial Banking. As someone who both works and lives in the heart of Toronto, he is always on the lookout for the […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Carley Smith Debenedictis
This month, we pass the ELN member spotlight to Carley Smith Debenedictis—a jack-of-all-trades communicator. After six years with the MS Society of Canada, Carly found the endzone with Canadian Football League, helping it celebrate the 100th Grey Cup, before delivering for Canada Post as spokesperson and media liaison. Now, she’s at the City of Mississauga […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Alex Lach
There’s something big going on in Mississauga – so let’s shine the ELN spotlight on a member who calls this city home! Alex Lach is a long standing ELN member and currently Director of Outreach at Many Feathers Co-Op. A passionate city builder, Alex has led outreach and relationship building projects for a number of business […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Stefany Hanson
In honour of this past weekend’s International Youth Day, this month we are shining a spotlight on a phenomenal woman doing inspiring work to ensure youth thrive in our communities. Introducing Stefany Hanson – a current CivicAction Diversity Fellow, Manager of Youth Development at the City of Toronto, and former Manager of the Youth Challenge Fund […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Matt McNama
This month, the ELN spotlight lands on Matt McNama – 2016 Events and Programming Lead on the ELN Executive Committee. Matt is a marketing and communications professional with a passion for problem-solving and tackling big issues. Matt is an avid cyclist, marathon runner, and yoga enthusiast who volunteers his time and energy to organizations like Pride Toronto, as […]
Leadership Spotlight: Idil Burale
In the lead up to July 1st, we’re profiling five Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area city builders, past and present, who have not only made significant positive impact in our communities, but have challenged us to be better civic-minded, inclusive, and collaborative individuals. Join us today as we take a quick look at Idil Burale, […]
Leadership Spotlight: Sylvia Maracle
In the lead up to July 1st, we’re profiling five Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area city builders, past and present, who have not only made significant positive impact in our communities, but have challenged us to be better civic-minded, inclusive, and collaborative individuals. Join us today as we take a quick look at Sylvia Maracle, […]
Leadership Spotlight: David Pecaut
In the lead up to July 1st, we’re profiling five Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area city builders, past and present, who have not only made significant positive impact in our communities, but have challenged us to be better civic-minded, inclusive, and collaborative individuals. Today we take a brief look at David Pecaut, the original founder […]
Leadership Spotlight: Olivia Nuamah
In the lead up to July 1st, we’re profiling five Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area city builders, past and present, who have not only made significant positive impact in our communities, but have challenged us to be better civic-minded, inclusive, and collaborative individuals. Today we take a brief look at Olivia Nuamah, current Pride Toronto […]
Leadership Spotlight: John Christie Holland
In the lead up to July 1st, we’re profiling five Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area city builders, past and present, who have not only made significant positive impact in our communities, but have challenged us to be better civic-minded, inclusive, and collaborative individuals. Today we take a brief look at John Christie Holland, Hamilton, Ont., […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Jay Pariseau
This month, the ELN spotlight lands on Jay Pariseau–2015/16 DiverseCity Fellow and a Senior Diversity Recruitment Consultant at CIBC. Jay’s dedication to the Indigenous community has been a key part of his leadership journey–something that also influences his day job at CIBC where he led the design and launch of a national Indigenous mentorship program […]
Leadership in Focus: Elisha Muskat and Richard Wiltshire
Richard Wiltshire and Elisha Muskat, are the 2015-2017 Co-Chairs of our Emerging Leaders Network. Previously, at Ashoka Canada – an international association of leading social entrepreneurs who develop solutions to pressing social problems – Elisha has shared her expertise on stages, inside classrooms and in the pages of top publications. She is an established leader […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Nima Ranawana & Abhishek Sarathy
This month we are shining a spotlight on new ELN executive committee members Nima Ranawana and Abhishek Sarathy! Nima and Abhishek come to the ELN executive committee as communications leads and will be helping us find better and more effective ways to get our word out to the ELN. With a passionate (Scorpio) personality and […]
Values and Volunteering: Key Insights from Our Network
From someone who works to organize an event within their community, someone who sits on a board of an organization they’re passionate about, to those who bring lost cats to the animal shelter, volunteering comes in many different forms. Canada alone has over 12.7 million volunteers devoting their time to causes that directly impact the […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Harvey Lam
This month we are shining a spotlight on ELN member Harvey Lam – a management consultant at Accenture Strategy, and a former corporate lawyer. When he’s not navigating the corporate world, he uses his skills in the community. Most recently, he’s been responsible for Fundraising & Partnerships at The Rumie Initiative, an initiative that won the recent Google […]