PILLAR NONPROFIT NETWORK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Youth Engagement Coordinator
Aditi Basdeo is an ambitious and goal-driven young leader. She is the president of Champions of Change: a youth-led organization that works to promote a future where gender equality is empowered. Aditi believes that by creating an environment where women feel empowered in their communities, a stronger society is possible for the young girls who will change the world of tomorrow. She has also served as a Youth Councilor on the LYAC for the past two years, extending her youth empowerment and advocacy passion. Outside of her advocacy, Aditi created the Mucy app to assist children in developing stranger mental awareness through the EFT method. Her postsecondary goals include studying engineering and business with the hope of running her own company. Aditi is enthusiastic about her role at Pillar Nonprofit Network as the Youth Engagement Coordinator and welcomes you to connect on LinkedIn!
Job Titles:
- Impact Consulting Strategic Development Associate
Blair brings a diverse set of skills and experiences to his work at Pillar. His first chapter was filled with struggles and lessons that shaped his worldview and the last three decades have been spent anchoring those lessons and working to erase some of the barriers he encountered. Blair has worn many hats in both the nonprofit and commercial sectors. He has been a Nike-sponsored fitness professional, founded a dynamic corporate training and executive coaching company, and worked extensively in various countries across the globe. Utilizing his coaching and consulting skills he established NGO networks in Botswana and Nepal that work cooperatively to have greater impact in their communities. Upon returning to London he joined a talented team to open a Supervised Consumption Site which became a model for other sites across the country.
In his spare time Blair wants to do all the things! If he is not in his woodworking shop building furniture and instruments he may be found in his large garden, or canning his harvest. He has a passion for dance and movement, hunting, art and living simply. His secret goal is to amass enough skills to ensure he is picked by a team in the first round draft should a zombie apocalypse ever occur.
Job Titles:
- Digital Services Specialist
Job Titles:
- Marketing, Graphics and Communications Specialist
Cicil Sandra brings a wealth of experience in Public Relations, Communications, and Journalism. Her unwavering drive, ambition, and commitment make her a true advocate for change. With a background in working with diverse communication teams for nonprofit organizations, both in Canada and internationally, she has developed a deep understanding of the power of effective communication.
Cicil Sandra's dedication lies in promoting gender equity and amplifying the voices of historically marginalized and racialized individuals. She is fervently passionate about shattering barriers and connecting with the world through the art of words.
Job Titles:
- Building Manager, Innovation Works
Dan Scheid attained his master's degree in public administration from the University of Western Ontario. He has worked in a variety of roles including assistant editor for an international municipal magazine, different positions within local governments, and most recently as a property manager for various commercial establishments.
With a strong passion for fostering continuous community engagement and a focus on creating relationships through positive communication, he is excited to start his new role as the Building Manager, to continue to promote constructive tenant relationships while ensuring Innovation Works operates efficiently and effectively allowing tenants and Pillar staff to focus on their best work and serving the community.
In his free time, Dan enjoys playing golf and soccer in the summer and basketball in the winter, walking/hiking new trails, and spending time with family and friends as much as possible.
Job Titles:
- Building Manager, Innovation Works
Job Titles:
- Program Lead, VERGE Capital
Filsan has a background in community development, livelihood programs, project development, and advancing social support for newcomers. She is dedicated to advocating for racialized peoples and historically marginalized persons. Filsan is passionate about connecting with others, cross-sectoral initiatives, and contributing to the creation of more inclusive and just systems.
Joann grew up in the Philippines and recently moved to Canada. She earned her B.A. in Public Administration from University of the Philippines and rendered 8 years of public service back home.
Prior to joining Pillar, Joann worked as a Protocol Officer at the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines. From 2016 through 2022, she led advance teams in providing efficient and seamless execution of the Vice President's ceremonies, engagements, and working visits. She was dispatched to far-flung, disaster-stricken, and war-torn communities across the country, and had the privilege of arranging the Vice President's official trips to the United States, Thailand, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Aside from doing advance work, she also managed special programs and COVID-19 response efforts, most notably the relief operations and inventory management of donations.
Earlier in her career, she served as an Executive Assistant to the Secretary of the Presidential Management Staff of the Philippines, which instilled in her the power of completed staff work and public service values.
In her spare time, Joann enjoys watching video contents, eating out, and exploring the city.
Job Titles:
- Senior Advisor, Business Development, Mitacs Inc
Whether you're looking for volunteer opportunities,
networking events or a job in the nonprofit sector, we can help.
Volunteer Events Jobs
Job Titles:
- Innovation Works Customer Service Assistant
My name is Linda De Bruyn, I graduated Pathways April 2022 in the Administrative Clerk training program. In looking for jobs I came across the volunteer position at Pillar and I really enjoy coming in and learning more about Pillar/Innovation works. I really enjoy watching people use the space to connect with people over coffee or a meeting. In my downtime I really love to go and watch the London Knights Games. I really haven't found a place like Pillar.
Job Titles:
- SDG Cities Co - Lead ( London )
Luis has been involved with non-profit organizations since 2007. While working part-time as a software developer, Luis coordinated CSA initiatives, led martial arts classes for kids, co-founded a Waldorf School and spearheaded several initiatives to promote urban cycling.
Luis has a Masters Degree in Urban Management. He has been working with the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) since 2019. One of his main projects was localizing the SDGs in London Ontario while he was working at the London Poverty Research Centre.
Luis believes that many of us are already working towards a better future. Our next challenge is to learn how to collaborate more efficiently. In his current role as SDG Cities Co-Lead, his main goal is to use the SDGs to connect the dots in four different ways: cross-sector collaboration, social, environmental and economic integration, alignment with multiple levels of government and leaving no one behind.
His own personal mission is to enable regenerative cities by increasing the capacity to understand, shape and communicate urban experiences.
Originally from Brazil, Luis is in the process of becoming a Canadian citizen. When he is not tackling those big questions Luis can be found playing with his three kids, reading sci-fi, baking or taking his bicycle for a spin to one of the big lakes.
Job Titles:
- Vice - President, Network & Engagement
Job Titles:
- Vice - President - Equity, Impact & Governanc
- Vice - President - Equity, Impact & Governance
Mariam has a passion for connection - whether it be with people, place, or community. Her years studying evolutionary genetics and ecology sparked questions about how local food systems and restricted access to well-grown food impact society in multifaceted ways; this encouraged her to work towards addressing inequities and barriers to access more broadly in our current systems.
Her work with Pillar Nonprofit Network, and specifically past work with WOSEN (Women of Ontario Social Enterprise Network) allows her to reframe the definition of success for social impact organizations while creating space to explore what it means to have intentional, meaningful impact in community in long-term and viable ways. Mariam's experience and leadership as a Director of Urban Roots London uniquely equips her with the knowledge and skills required to understand nonprofit governance, social enterprise models, and community development work; a lens she brings with her to her work at Pillar Nonprofit Network.
Through education, an emphasis on sharing narrative, an understanding of intersectional environmentalism, ongoing personal development, and a genuine connection with her community, she aims to encourage growth and power in collaborative economy.
Maureen Cassidy served two terms as a London City Councillor for Ward 5 between 2014 and 2022. During this time, Maureen was also one of City Council's representatives on the London Police Services Board and the Board of Health for the Middlesex-London Health Unit, including chairing the Health Board during the first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Maureen had the honour of serving as Co-Chair of the Mayor's Advisory Panel on Poverty which worked extensively with the community and with stakeholders to develop a comprehensive set of recommendations to address poverty in London. Several recommendations, like free transit for kids 12 and under and subsidized transit passes for low income earners, were executed within a year and many more were implemented under the guidance of United Way Elgin Middlesex.
Maureen is a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient for community service and a graduate of Western University with a Bachelor's Degree in French. Maureen is committed to and actively engaged in working with the community to make London a better place for all.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Resource Development
Melanie is a senior development professional with over 20 years of experience spearheading successful donor-centred plans in local, regional, provincial, and national non-profits.
She is an expert strategic planner, team leader, and communicator who has delivered impressive results in revenue-raising over $30 million for worthy missions including Kids Help Phone, the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario, and Brescia University College.
Growing up in London, Melanie returned to the region several years ago to be close to her family. She is passionate about contributing to a stronger community where everyone feels they belong and is proud to champion and advocate for the worthy mission of Pillar.
Melanie received a B.A. from Western University, is a founding Board Member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals London & Region Chapter, and currently serves as Treasurer.
Job Titles:
- Archivist
- Manager, Public Policy, Advocacy, and Impact
- Paul Seale Manager, Public Policy, Advocacy, and Impact
Paul believes that everyone deserves to belong and to use their own power to create inclusive and just systems. In his role at Pillar that means connecting people to each other and to ideas and resources that help individuals and organizations make positive change together.
Paul has been an archivist, an academic, a restaurateur, and a communications professional, but is best-known in London for years of grassroots community development. To his work at Pillar, he brings a network of contacts in the arts, business, and community service. Having worked in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, he is convinced that the people who drive these pursuits are more similar than different and sees our common dreams as opportunities for engagement, equity, community building, collaboration, and belonging.
Paul believes most people want to connect to a larger purpose and that the real work is to replace barriers with bridges. An unabashed champion for the good in people, he also recognizes that breaking down the systemic barriers held up by white supremacy and intersecting oppressions requires organized advocacy, and is proud to help Pillar and its membership engage in this work.
Away from work, he volunteers for causes like participatory democracy, mobility poverty, and decent work. He's most often seen on a bike.
Phyllis is the Director of Finance at Pillar Nonprofit Network. She has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector. She is currently the Chair of the Board of Directors of London Health Sciences Centre, and a former member of the Boards of Wellspring London and the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. Phyllis has been a member of the Finance Committee on each of these Boards. She is Past Chair of the United Way of London and Middlesex.
Shelby has a background in administration and philanthropy. A graduate of the Not-For-Profit Management program at Western Continuing Studies, Shelby has a special interest in community care. She believes that connection is the key to building relationships - with ourselves, with others and within the community.
Job Titles:
- Learning and Development Associate
Job Titles:
- Social Enterprise Program Manager and Coach
Job Titles:
- Master Trainer, Senior Consultant, Crucial Learning ( Formerly VitalSmarts )