Kim Hardy

Kim Hardy - Tides Canada Foundation

Kim Hardy is Program Officer with the Tides Canada Foundation. In this role, Kim works with funders and grantees to find “uncommon solutions for the common good”  with special focus on developing a philanthropic program for Canada’s North.  Before taking this role over a year ago, Kim was an independent Community Economic Development Practitioner with research interests in cooperatives and conservation economies. Kim has six years of experience working with First Nations, development corporations and rural communities on community-based economic development projects in BC and the Yukon. Originally from Vancouver Island, Kim spent four years living in the Yukon Territory. Here, she had the opportunity to work with many different communities in capacity building, cooperative development and local economic development planning processes while also serving on the Board of the Yukon Conservation Society and the Yukon Council on the Environment and the Economy. Three years ago, Kim returned to her coastal home and worked with Ecotrust Canada where she developed a research project with BC Hydro, Vancity and Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council exploring opportunities to use the coop model in coastal BC First Nation economies. 

Kim studied psychology at the University of Victoria and then completed the Community Economic Development certificate at Simon Fraser University. From here, Kim completed her mastersin business administration in community economic development at Cape Breton University. Kim has also completed a fellowship with the BC Institute of Cooperative Studies and conducted a SSHRC research project as part of the Social Economy Research Node of Northern Canada in 2009 which examined the roles of coops in the North.

Kim has been an active member of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network participating on the BC/Yukon Council and is currently contributing to Genuine Progress Indicators Pacific as a Board Member.

Karla Nicholson

Karla Nicholson’s – Haymarket People’s Fund

“The manner in which Haymarket does its work through our unique model of activist grantmaking is very different from mainstream and other philanthropic organizations. We feel that having activists and community organizers make funding decisions that look at the root causes of oppression is vital to their eradication.” 

Karla Nicholson is the Executive Director of Haymarket People’s Fund in Boston, Massachusetts. Haymarket is a 38-year old anti-racist and multi-cultural foundation that is committed to strengthening the movement for social justice in New England. Through grantmaking, fundraising, and capacity building we support grassroots organizations that address the root causes of injustice. Haymarket also organizes to increase sustainable community philanthropy throughout our region.

Prior to entering the social justice philanthropic field, Karla has served as Assistant Director at the Fenway Community Development Corporation for seven years including a period as Interim Executive Director.  Before this time, Karla was principal of Technical Knock Out providing creative graphic design and technical services to organizations and individuals. 

Karla previously served on the Board of Directors of Haymarket People's Fund, Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations, and Boston Arts Academy. She participated on the steering committee of the Alliance: Advancing Community Development by Confronting Racism; and as a member of the initial Advisory Council of Kim Klein's National Grassroots Fundraising Conference. Current she serves as a member of the Associated Grantmakers of Massachusetts’ Diversity Committee.

Hon. Marilyn More

Hon. Marilyn More - Minister of Labour and Advanced Education; Minister of Voluntary Sector

Marilyn brings much experience in community development, volunteer supports and seniors' issues through her leadership in Community Links, the Rural Volunteers Project and the Nova Scotia Falls Prevention Initiative.

Marilyn was also active in the healthy communities’ movement and was chosen one of the first community members to join federal and provincial officials on the Nova Scotia Rural Team.

Marilyn has served as the NDP Caucus Chair and 2003-09 Chair of the all-party Legislative Standing Committee on Community Services. She was also member of the Public Accounts and Economic Development Standing Committees and was the first female Party Whip in Nova Scotia during her 2006-07 appointment by Darrell Dexter.

Marilyn's involvement in Dartmouth organizations and community life started as a young child. Recent volunteer experience included the Dartmouth Heritage Museum Society, Dartmouth Historical Association, and the Public Good Society of Dartmouth.

The first woman elected to a school board in Nova Scotia (1978), she served as Chair of the Dartmouth District School Board for a number of years. A former junior high teacher, she has always been interested in public education.

Her community and political focus continues to be on education and youth, seniors and persons with disabilities, reducing poverty and other social inequities, protection of our environment and heritage, and strengthening the volunteer sector.