Katie is Managing Director at Impact Hub Ottawa, a collaborative co working space and community that inspires, connects and enables people working to solve the world’s challenges big and small. Part of a global network of over 100 Impact Hubs and 15,000 members. As an International Business Major from Algonquin College, Katie is passionate about education reform and enabling individuals to good better.

Dom is a recent graduate of a Bachelor in Art History and Studio Art at Concordia University. Her interdisciplinary research focused on investigations into the socio-economic consequences of modernist architecture and urbanism. Currently she is working as product marketing specialist for ChangeJar, an Ottawa-based tech startup. Dom is devoted to exploring urban design as a locus for social change and community building in her hometown.

Davis Carr is an Ottawa-based graphic designer and social media expert. She specializes in online communications for non-profits and advocacy groups, and is involved with a variety of progressive organizations. She is the main curator of content for TechGirls Canada, an advocacy organization for women in STEM. Davis has a Master’s of Arts in Media Production from Ryerson University, where she studied the intersections of digital media culture, feminism, and selfies (yes, really). Davis is currently the Communications and Marketing Coordinator for Envirocentre.

Laine is a devoted long-time resident of Ottawa and deeply committed to creating equity and partnership in city-building. As an inaugural graduate of the Masters of Philanthropy and Non-Profit Leadership at Carleton University, Laine brings a theoretically grounded strategic lens to her work as Program Director of Synapcity, a non-profit dedicated to creating an inclusive culture of participation for the city of Ottawa. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Laine celebrates divergent thinking and is particularly attentive to emergent approaches and solutions. A natural leader, Laine has grown up in Ottawa’s non-profit sector, applying her leadership and partnership development skills to the arts and culture sector, community health and resource centres, seniors services, and public policy. She loves to learn from all the co-creators of this fine city.

Kasia Polanska is a management consultant specializing in organizational development. Enthusiastic about creative and systematic approaches to complex problems and opportunities, she brings a new way of understanding organizational processes through stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and collaboration. Kasia holds an MA in Public Administration from Carleton University. She was a fellow of the EU-Canada Civil Society Educational Network at Freie Universität in Berlin, Germany, and has received the Graduate Award in Social Innovation to work on collaborative ventures and governance of multi-tenant non-profit centres.

Mitchell’s strengths are rooted in cross-sectoral partnership development, community programs and institutional funding. His philanthropic and advocacy work has garnered over a 100,000 followers on Twitter, with features in the Toronto Star, CBC, Huffington Post, Globe & Mail, Ottawa Citizen, the Hill Times and CTV. In addition to JustChange, he is an elected board member of Centretown Community Association, as well as, a trustee for the Harry P. Ward Foundation. He is currently the Lead Program Advisor for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and holds a Masters in Public Policy and Administration.

Alex Carr wants to see liveable communities here in Ottawa and across the world. Through his research and travels, Alex has garnered an idea of what policies and structures foster healthier communities, and believes part of the solution lies in harnessing the ideas and ingenuity of citizens. By day, Alex works as a senior public servant at the City of Ottawa. Alex holds a Masters in Public Policy and Administration from Carleton University and an Honours BA in Urban Studies and Geography from the University of Toronto.

Since 2006, Josh has worked in data-driven analytics across several industries for Fortune 500 clients, non-governmental organizations, and government departments around the world. Currently, he works as a security contractor with a focus on data driven decision-making.He holds a diploma in public relations from Algonquin College, a Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Ottawa, and a Masters in international affairs from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs.

Louise has worked for several years in the fields of performance management and evaluation with the federal government. She holds a B.Sc. in Psychology and Education, and recently completed her MA in Public Policy and Administration from Carleton University. In 2009 Louise co-founded Dress for Success Ottawa, a charity committed to assisting economically disadvantaged women in their re-entry to the workforce. She sat on the Board for four years, during which time she led the development of the organization’s post-employment programming, designed to assist women in maintaining employment, career development, and work-life balance.

Louis Zuniga has a passion for volunteering and participating in community activities both within Canada and abroad. He is an advocate for victim’s rights and youth engagement. Louis has lent his support and time to many national and international organizations, most recently volunteering in Nicaragua teaching English, as well being Chair for OVS. He works as a civilian member for the RCMP in Ottawa where he has managed several national portfolios including Volunteer Services, Victim Services, and most recently Youth Services. These opportunities have taken Louis right across North America to work with organizations like the UN and several other police agencies. Louis has an Honours BA degrees in Criminology.

Brittany is a joy-seeking, social justice advocate who has a passion for communities where all people can participate and thrive. She is the Manager of Public Policy and Community Engagement at Imagine Canada, a national umbrella organization for Canada’s charitable and nonprofit sector, where she monitors federal policy issues affecting the sector.  She completed her Master of Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University and her Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Saskatchewan.  Brittany has also spent time in rural Uganda facilitating various income-generating projects with landless widows including community agriculture and small business initiatives.