Valentina has been working in community development and partnership building for more than a decade, and has deep experience supporting mission-driven organizations through cultural transformation. She leads a range of strategy, facilitation, and planning projects, and provides training and coaching to non-profit professionals across Canada. Whether through strategic facilitation, stakeholder engagement, coaching or management and leadership training, Valentina helps leaders implement change that lasts, and supports them to develop resilient teams and organizations.

For over 20 years, Ugette has been dedicated to guiding others as they engage in their own learning and professional development. Her experience includes organizational development, strategic problem solving, and transition planning. Her strengths are in facilitating conversations that build trust and commitment towards a common vision. As a head of school, facilitator, and coach, Ugette has honed collaboration techniques that build effective relationships across diverse communities.

As CEO, Danielle leads the Laridae team. An entrepreneurial, strategic thinker, Danielle deploys collaborative approaches to problem-solving. She leads some of Laridae’s highest profile strategic planning, governance, communications, and branding projects and recently completed the Chartered Director (C.Dir.) program at McMaster University.

Lisa Levin is the CEO of AdvantAge Ontario, which represents more than 400 non-profit organizations serving seniors. Previously, Lisa was Director of Nursing and Health Policy with the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, chair of the Ontario Caregiver Coalition, senior executive with Circle of Care, and policy advisor with the Ontario government. Lisa has her Bachelor of Arts in Urban Systems/Geography from McGill University and her Master of Science in Urban Planning from the University of Toronto.

As a consultant, Si is involved in strategic planning, communications, and branding. He also provides training and coaching to non-profit leaders. He holds both a Bachelor and Masters degree in Biology and is currently completing a Master of Business Administration in Community Economic Development. This education has taught him to fully understand a problem and its context before providing a creative solution. He is passionate about improving the sustainability and impact of the non-profit sector, which is why he serves on the Board of Directors for a local non-profit and teaches the Social Enterprise and Social Innovation course at Trent University.

Diane’s expertise includes strategic leadership and building high-functioning organizations. With 30 years of experience as a leader of Children’s Treatment Centres in Ontario, she has a deep practical understanding of the challenges that leaders in not-for-profit organizations experience. Her knowledge and expertise provide community leaders with support to maximize their impact and leadership potential. Her communication and facilitation skills help participants sharpen their leadership skills and deliver effective outcomes for their organizations.

Rachel facilitates boards and leadership teams, coaches middle-managers, engages community stakeholders, and leads non-profit organizations through the development of strategies and plans to bring about lasting, meaningful change. With expertise in strategic and operational planning and reviews, communications strategies, and branding, Rachel leads complex projects calm intelligence. Throughout her career, she has been committed to working for and supporting non-profits, helping to strengthen the sector that gives so much to our communities. With a degree in politics and global studies from Wilfrid Laurier University and a commitment to ongoing professional development, Rachel has held leadership, fundraising, marketing and communications roles in local and international organizations in the education, health care, social services and human rights sectors. Rachel is currently Vice-President of the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Board of Directors.