With a background in accounting and finance, Ben Van Wart is on a mission to leverage his skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact on his community. Born and raised in Mississauga, Ben’s journey has been shaped by his passion for business and a deep commitment to giving back.
Ben pursued his undergraduate degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Waterloo. With a keen interest in financial matters and business operations, he continued his academic journey to earn a master’s in accounting.
Ben’s path to the Gen Z on Boards program, an initiative by Capacity Canada, was illuminated by a dedicated professor during his master’s program. Ben’s professor recognized his potential and introduced him to the program, which focused on sustainability and outreach — a perfect fit for his aspirations.
When asked about his motivation for joining the program, Ben said, “For the last couple of years, I have been planning to join a board when I graduate, but I was unsure how to do so. When I saw the Gen Z on Boards program, I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to foster my skills and help me achieve my goal.”
Through the Gen Z on Boards program, Ben hopes to achieve multiple objectives. “By the end of the program, I hope to not only be placed on a board but to have also refined my governance knowledge and soft skills that will make me a valuable board member.”
The program has already been a transformative experience for Ben. “The MatchBoard program helped facilitate connections with various boards. This provided me with invaluable insights into the process of joining a board. The Modern Board Essentials course has equipped me with a solid foundation in board governance,” he added.
Ben has a clear vision of the impact he wants to make in the community. “I think I will make a difference in financial and business literacy,” he said. He added that many young people lacked the opportunity to develop crucial skills in these areas, and he was determined to change that. Ben aspires to create programs to deliver these opportunities to the youth, empowering them with essential life skills.
“The world of non-profit governance can be very intimidating to those who have never experienced it, and the Gen Z on Boards is a great program that will help young people develop skills and provide them with guidance. I hope this initiative will bring the younger generation into the world of non-profit governance.”
The Gen Z on Boards project aims to train, coach, mentor and match youth with boards that match their interests and directly serve the community. By becoming involved in boards, youth will be able to offer their perspectives to solve the issues that most concern them directly. Youth involvement in governance training will help frame solutions through a youth-centered lens, especially in governance approaches and frameworks.
Learn more about the Gen Z program here.
