Some things I do that may interest you

 

I am the Director of Community for Reset

There’s a dedicated page on this topic so I’ll keep it short and I am dedicated furthering the vision of Reset to inspire people to just play as a means to address our growing disconnection and to create opportunities for connection, joy and collective liberation and I intend to do this work for the rest of my life.

I Chair the Board for the StopGap Foundation

StopGap is a national charity with a mission to make communities more accessible through spreading awareness and building ramps that make spaces more physically accessible. I have served on the Board since 2016.

We live at Clarens Commons, a co-living community

Shilbee and I moved into a house with 5 other people mid pandemic, which has been both very complex and rewarding at a time of mass disconnection. The Commons Founders are pioneers in this movement and it has been incredible to learn from them, which I shared more about on this podcast.

Yand is my favourite word and philosophy

"Yes, and..." is a rule-of-thumb in improvisational comedy that suggests that a participant should accept what another participant has stated ("yes") and then expand on that line of thinking ("and"). For me, Yand, which is “Yes, and..”, yes-anded, is my compass towards living in a way that is less binary and more accepting of multiple truths.

I am transitioning to Dhalla-Kim

Shilbee proposed in January 2020. We started planning a community celebration for November 2020. Then, you know what happened. The next year involved several vision changes, logistics, and learnings. In June 2021, we landed on a plan, which was almost a 180-degree shift from our original vision, most notably around inclusion. Learn more on our wedding website.

I am always working on being in the moment

I used to be addicted to productivity and many of the modern tools that enable it. At this point, I celebrate doing nothing, although I am always working to getting better at being. Life is funny.

Some things that I have done that may interest you

 

I was the Managing Director at Artscape’s Launchpad

In 2020, I had the opportunity to lead Artscape’s co-working initiative and while it was not part of the original plan, I learned how to manage spaces and community during a pandemic. It was tough but rewarding and inspiring given the community of creators we served.

I Co-Founded Project Ukulele Gangsterism

Inspired one day by the lack of connection in public spaces, I co-founded PUG and was joined by hundreds of others. We played the ukulele in unison in public spaces to deliver joy in Toronto. There was a whole song and everything. It was special.

I was the Executive Director at Centre for Social Innovation

In 2012, I joined the org as its Director of Culture and thereafter as the ED. It was a dream to be in service to the thousands of social mission organizations that call CSI home and to hone my experiences around culture and community with as many great people as I did.

I started several Tech Startups

In 2010, we launched My City Lives, one of the world’s first mobile video apps that sought to amplify cities and local stories. In 2008, I co-founded Ticket Trunk, which was an alternative to Ticketmaster intended for community groups and artists.

I Co-Produced Toronto for Everyone at Honest Ed’s

A community of us co-hosted a 4 day farewell festival at Honest Ed’s before it was closed for good. An Honest Farewell was attended by 15,000 people, covered thoroughly by the press, brought closure for some and raised $50K to provide free education on diversity and inclusion.

I was born

Is this the definition of the anti-plot twist? It’s important for me to acknowledge that my life isn’t all about what I’ve done, but just that I have existed and to send a shout out to all the people with whom I’ve had the privilege to do that with. It’s been great ya’ll. Thank you.