Media Release – Download the PDF version
Inspirit Foundation Announces Three New Board Members
TORONTO, November 24, 2021 — Three new board members will be joining the Inspirit Foundation Board of Directors: James Chan, Pacinthe Matter, and Sally Ng.
The Inspirit Board of Directors is a governance board; members bring skills, experiences, and understanding of different contexts to help guide the organization’s work. Inspirit’s commitment to equity includes diversity in reflection, geography, skill sets, and lived experiences. The Foundation fosters a board culture that actively engages, values the contributions of, and reflects the diverse stakeholders served.
Over the summer, as a number of board member terms expired, Inspirit engaged in a targeted recruitment cycle, seeking individuals with a passion for building a more pluralist society in the context of the Inspirit mission.
With excellent candidates throughout Canada and in the targeted sectors of philanthropy, media and arts, and impact investing, the recruitment committee was challenged to narrow the field to three appointees.
James Chan is the Manager of VERGE Capital at Pillar Nonprofit Network. He has served on the Board of Directors at Code for Canada, Park People, and The Centre for Active Transportation. He works with people, places, and partnerships to foster civic participation, promote equitable urbanism, and grow the social economy.
Pacinthe Mattar is a journalist, writer, and producer. She is currently a fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University. Her journalism has focused on race and racism, police brutality, refugees and migration, violence against women, Middle East politics, pop culture, and Indigenous issues.
Sally Ng is the Founder and CEO of The Triple Effect. She has served on a number of boards, including the Community Foundations of Canada, and was chosen to represent Canada at the G2O Young Entrepreneurs Summit 2017. Her passions include entrepreneurship, diversity, and youth leadership development.
A complete list of Inspirit board members can be found here.
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Quotes
“We are excited to welcome three new board members whose insights and expertise will help guide the Foundation’s governance. The quality of candidates, and overall applicant pool, is a testament to Inspirit’s work and our collective need for a more inclusive and pluralist Canada.”
Sadia Zaman, CEO, Inspirit Foundation
“Our new members showcase the best Canada has to offer as a pluralist society. As Board Chair and an Indigenous leader, I believe in the power of pluralism and I am proud to welcome our new board members.”
Mitchell Anderson, Chair of the Board of Directors, Inspirit Foundation
“Creating a just and equitable future where everyone belongs requires long-term, systemic change—the kind that many will resist, some will accept in time, but few will lead. I am proud to serve and support an organization that is doing the hard, risky, never-ending work of leading that change.”
James Chan, Board Member, Inspirit Foundation
“Pluralism has defined so much of my life and is a big part of what makes Canada feel like home for me. I’m looking forward to learning from the rich, talented board members of the Inspirit Foundation who have a wealth of knowledge across so many industries.”
Pacinthe Mattar, Board Member, Inspirit Foundation
“There is so much to be done right now with bridging divides between communities coast to coast. We need to tackle these challenges and opportunities from an equity lens that Inspirit has been working towards to build a pluralistic and inclusive Canada.”
Sally Ng, Board Member, Inspirit Foundation
Related Links
Board of Directors web page: inspiritfoundation.org/about/staff-board
About Inspirit Foundation
Inspirit Foundation funds media and arts for social change, supports young content creators, and invests its assets to align with its mission to promote inclusion and pluralism in Canada—specifically addressing discrimination based on ethnicity, race, or religion. To learn more, visit inspiritfoundation.org and follow Inspirit on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Jozef Agtarap
Communications and Outreach Manager, Inspirit Foundation
jagtarap@inspiritfoundation.org
416-644-3600 ext. 7
