As we mark the 150th anniversary of confederation, The Philanthropist is profiling Canadians from across the non-profit sector and putting a face to 150 individuals who work or volunteer in Canada’s social sector.
Name: Lisa Weatherhead
Current role in the sector: Atlantic Region Executive Director of Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Years working and/or volunteering in the non-profit sector: I have been employed in the nonprofit sector for 9 years. As a volunteer, I have been involved in some capacity for as long as I can remember.
What was your first job in the sector or a defining moment?
My involvement in the sector grew from a volunteer role and became a career when an opportunity with the development team in external relations at Dalhousie University presented itself. One of my defining moments was when I moved from the university world to a health charity; and as significantly, from a large shop to a small shop where I discovered my passion for the non-profit sector. The process of building a team in the Atlantic Region for Cystic Fibrosis Canada from the ground up and working with an incredibly diverse and wide ranging group of volunteers has been an exciting and rewarding challenge.
Describe your desk/workspace.
We are very fortunate to share an office space with the MS Society. My office is best described as a hub of activity. Some days, that translates to tidy and beyond organized and some days, more along the lines of organized chaos. The one constant is that my door is always open for volunteers, visitors, and my team. I try to create a fun, welcoming, and productive work environment.
What are you reading or following that has expanded your understanding of the non-profit sector?
Currently I am reading the Code of the Extraordinary Mind by Vishen Lakhiana. I love that it challenges the everyday and encourages its readers to think differently to achieve elevated results in all areas of life. More directly relevant to the non-profit sector, I follow a few different blogs and websites; a few stand-outs being NonprofitAF, Fired up Fundraising, and Amy Eisenstein. When it comes to reading and learning, there’s never a shortage of great resources!
What do you think our sector needs to be thinking about?
I have been very fortunate throughout my life to have some fantastic mentors, and the depth of skill and wisdom within the non-profit sector never fails to amaze me. I think our sector has an opportunity to grow and develop through mentoring. Drawing on the incredible knowledge of those who have paved the way in our field and then paying it forward to people entering the profession by giving them a welcoming hand up can only serve to strengthen the sector.
Do you know someone we should profile as part of this series? Email us at philanthropistprofiles@gmail.com
