Launching Soon: Open Hearth Mentorship Network!

Capacity Canada is thrilled to announce that its Open Hearth Mentorship Network is launching this March in the Waterloo Region!

We are bringing together a free, safe, inclusive, and collaborative space for underrepresented women in the non-profit sector who aspire to leadership roles.

The team has completed extensive research, including in-depth interviews with 15 women from underrepresented communities in the Waterloo Region, Calgary, and St. John’s, which have shaped the foundation of this network.

Get involved:

• Mentor & mentee applications open soon — keep an eye on our socials for details

• The 6-month pilot kicks off in March with a special launch event—stay tuned for an exciting announcement

If you are interested in learning more about the Open Hearth Project or becoming a project participant, get in touch with us.

 

 

At Capacity Canada, we know that our team’s dedication and passion drive our success. To show appreciation and celebrate the individuality and contributions of its incredible team, Capacity Canada partnered with Chocolate Soup.

As part of this initiative, each team member received a customized LEGO Minifigure, complete with their name, tenure, and the Capacity Canada logo. To make this experience more personal and fun, recipients could customize their Minifig by selecting facial features, hair or headgear, and accessories that best represented them.

At Capacity Canada, we are grateful to our dedicated team and the work they do to drive positive change. This initiative is a small way to say thank you for being a valued part of our journey!

 

 

 

 

 

NFP Assessment and Capacity Planning

Capacity Canada’s new pilot program continues to support charities and non-profit organizations in the Waterloo Region and across Canada with facilitated organizational assessments, helping leadership teams spot opportunities for organizational development, find alignment, and commit to action.

Interested NFPs are encouraged to apply for our rolling intake, which will continue until the pilot program is full.

Assessments can be done on a stand alone basis, but Capacity Canada is prioritizing opportunities to leverage assessment insights to support the success of key organizational initiatives.

Unlock insights to scale impact with our NFP Capacity Scorecard

Answer 30 questions and we’ll send you a personalized summary with opportunities for organizational strengthening.

Registration for Capacity Canada’s ModernBoard: Essentials of Governing is now open! The course begins on March 17th.

Capacity Canada, in partnership with Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, offers the Modern Board: Board Governance micro-credential program. The program helps prepare current and prospective board members to successfully take on the challenge and privilege of serving on a board.

Through discussions, reflections and case scenarios of board governance, students learn the key tools and techniques to become a successful contributing member of a non-profit board of directors.

Board Governance BootCamp 2025: Save the Date!

Capacity Canada’s annual Board Governance BootCamp will be held on November 18, 19 and 20 at the Bingemans Conference Centre in Kitchener this year.

What’s exciting? You will have the flexibility to choose a governance track for the entire three-day BootCamp! Those new to boards and experienced directors will have a choice to take the Advanced Course, while those new to board governance can opt for the Governance Essentials Track! Capacity Canada will also be offering pre-BootCamp concurrent sessions.

Claudia Sighomnou

A dynamic leader, Claudia Sighomnou has nearly two decades of experience across the non-profit, government, and private sectors. She brings a proven ability to design and implement strategic initiatives that drive growth, build capacity, and create meaningful connections between corporate professionals and non-profit organizations. With expertise in governance, professional development, and stakeholder engagement, Claudia has led transformative programs that deliver measurable impact.

 

Marie-Hélène Lamarre

Marie-Hélène Lamarre empowers board members to lead confidently and strengthens their capacity to navigate ethical and complex governance challenges. With a career spanning non-profits, global corporations, and small businesses, Marie-Helene brings a unique perspective shaped by real-world leadership in high-pressure, transformative contexts, both as a CEO and as a board member.

 

Charles Achampong

Charles is an author and keynote speaker who inspires others to embrace the power of pausing and reconnecting with what truly matters. He has over 20 years of leadership experience across the public, private, philanthropic, and non-profit sectors and has worked with organizations like the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Committee, Scotiabank, Ontario Trillium Foundation, and Mitacs to create meaningful change and drive transformative initiatives.

Currently, Charles is helping grow Capacity Canada’s MatchBoard program. This innovative initiative pairs employees with non-profit boards that align with their passions, personalities, and professional skills, bringing together the people, ideas, and resources that fuel social innovation.

 

Karen Spencer

Karen brings with her 30 years of progressive management experience, including seven years as the Executive Director of Family and Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region and Family and Children’s Services Foundation. Her formal education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Development Studies, a Master of Arts Degree in Social Work, certificates in Public Sector Leadership (Rotman School of Business) and Lean Six Sigma (Schulich School of Business). Karen is committed to child and parent well-being, social justice and doing my part to end racism and discrimination. She is currently serving as the Board Chair for the Renison University College and is an active member of the Kitchener-Westmount Rotary Club and International Women’s Forum.

Support Capacity Canada

Each year, we help non-profits from all across Canada with Board Governance training. We are always grateful for our non-profit partners, community leaders, and their support. We are also grateful for the ongoing generous support of Suncor Energy Foundation and the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation. Your financial support will help Capacity Canada bring together the ideas, people, and resources that fuel social innovation.