If you’d like to send a message to the board as a whole, please email [email protected]. The staff team can be reached at [email protected].

Belinda Leach – (Board Chair)

Term: March 2019 to February 2022

Belinda is a faculty member and community engaged researcher at the University of Guelph with a passion for strengthening civil society through its organizations.  She is deeply committed to making research serve and benefit community towards social justice outcomes.  She has collaborated with community research partners on gender issues, livelihoods, unions and non-profit organizations, and rural communities.  She has been involved in 10C activities through U of G’s Community Engaged Scholarship Institute for many years.

Skills & areas of interest

• Research and grant writing
• Equity, diversity and inclusion
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Non-profit organization governance
• Connecting academic researchers to community needs

I’m part of 10 Carden because it’s a welcoming and inclusive community connector.  10C’s shopfront is a symbol that this is a place where people can walk in (physically or virtually), learn about their community, share ideas, find a place for themselves, and make change.

As a Board Member, I can help 10C sustain strong and consistent leadership, and ensure it has the resources to continue its work.

email: [email protected]

Jess Haines (Vice Chair)

Term: February 2019 – February 2022

Jess is an Associate Professor of Applied Nutrition at the University of Guelph and is the Co-Director of the Guelph Family Health Study, which aims to understand how best to support families in developing healthy eating, activity and sleep habits to last a lifetime.  The study was designed in collaboration with families and other key knowledge users in Guelph, such as Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health and the Guelph Family Health Team.

Skills & areas of interest

• Collaborative Research
• Partnership Development
• Grant and Proposal writing
• Program Development

I’m part of 10C because I believe that connection is critical for social change. I am particularly enthusiastic about the potential of NOURISH by 10C, a shared commercial community kitchen and related programming, to improve well-being, reduce food insecurity and increase connection in Guelph.

As a board member, I can help 10 Carden with research, programming, partnership development, and grant writing.

[email protected]

Kerry Daly – (Past Chair)

Term: Jan 2018 – May 2023

Kerry retired from the University of Guelph in 2016 where he completed his career as the Dean of the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences. As a co-founder for the Community Engaged Scholarship Institute at the university, he has had a long-standing connection with 10C and a commitment to collaboration between universities and community organizations. He has done partnership-based research in the areas of men, fathering, and work-life integration. He was a member of the Project Management team at the university for the most recent round of strategic renewal. Kerry is now delighted to be offering his skills in support of the community side of the equation. In addition to his efforts at 10C, he is an active volunteer at Hospice Wellington.

I’m part of 10 Carden because I believe that it is one of the most innovative and successful strategies that has ever been undertaken in Guelph. I admire the risks that have been taken to make this an exemplar for other communities to follow. It is an extraordinary place/space that enriches Guelph in so many ways:  it is a place of integration for the community; it invites experimentation for new initiatives; and it is a welcoming space that builds relationships and fosters serendipitous and unexpected change.

As a board member, I can help 10C with research, community-university relations, and long-term planning and strategic renewal.

Email: [email protected]

Amy Kipp – Secretary

Term: August 2018 – May 2024

Amy is passionate about using research for positive social change in local and global communities and is committed to social justice and feminist practice. With a background in international development, global health, and human geography, Amy has experience exploring how global challenges and social interventions play out at a local level. Amy has lived in Guelph for the past 10 years and is committed to supporting and understanding the processes involved in building a resilient community.

Skills and Areas of Interest

• Feminist and social justice practice
• Grant and proposal writing
• Community development
• Project management
• Qualitative research methodologies

I’m a part of 10C because I believe in the importance of community, and creating spaces where community can come together to support and learn from one another. 10C makes positive social change in our community, and I am excited to be a part of that!

As a board member, I can help 10C continue to engage with individuals interested in community change by understanding and communicating 10C’s social impact. In my role as Board Secretary, I support the board’s organization and communication.

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-kipp-2a566768/

Twitter: @amykipp

Email: [email protected]

Diana Smith

Term: June 2020 – June 2023

I have over 30 years experience in consulting, management, teaching, and applied research with change makers and influencers in many public, nonprofit and private contexts. I am a  lifelong learner, collaborator and contributor to transformation as well as an active community member, mentor, and facilitator. I am globally connected and locally inspired.

Skills & areas of interest

• Social Enterprise/Innovation
• Fundraising and Sponsorship Development
• Marketing and Communications
• Administration and Documentation
• Research and Evaluation

I’m part of 10 Carden because: I believe in it!! I am committed to the vision of 10C, and inspired by the initiative and results shown to date. We [at all scales personal, leading, community, nation, globe] are at a turning point, a pivot, with both tremendous opportunities to reimagine, regenerate and much uncertainty and risk in the process. The world is on pause as of March 30, 2020 and this is the time for deep discernment, strategic investment [people, money, structures and processes] and collaboration in generating the future that we are both longing for and living into. I’d like to contribute where I can and where there is a need. Especially social innovation, collaboration and governance capacity. The circular food economy possibility in this region is of particular interest to me.

As a board member, I can help 10C because I’m a systems thinker, ecologically oriented, spiritually and ethically rooted, and experienced in dealing creatively with risk and uncertainty. I know the nonprofit sector well, and am connected to innovative and leading edge initiatives that foster transformation. I am adept at convening, starting and enabling creative ways of dealing with issues. I’m a team player, and interested in contributing strategic decision-making, creative program development and strong positioning in this community. Want to support capacity development…stepping up to the challenges and shifts ahead.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.dianasmith.ca/

Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dianasmithfacilitator

Brent Klassen

Term: June 2020 – June 2023

Brent Co-founded and ran two creative/consulting agencies – Blue North Strategies and Blue ID, Established Heartwood Farm & Cidery, has a wonderful farmer wife and three awesome kids 16 – 23, Play guitar and drums, is on the board of EFAO, and is an investor in 10C. 

Skills & areas of interest

• Business and Entrepreneurship
• Networking and Partnerships
• Fundraising and Sponsorship Development
• Marketing and Communications
• Finance, Accounting and Financial Oversight

I’m part of 10C because as an investor, 10C provided an opportunity to put some money to work in a context where something potentially transformational is taking shape. Also, I totally believe in and trust 10C’s leadership. I saw 10C as a lightning rod for a bunch of cool stuff happening in Guelph.

As a board member, I can help 10C because I’m a strategic thinker and at the end of the day, pretty practical. I think that people appreciate a certain level-headedness in my approach to big questions. I also like to make connections between people and organizations, connections that create new capacities.

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-klassen-0315159/

Twitter – @heartwoodcidery

Email – [email protected]

Jennifer Hillier

Term: June 2020 – June 2023

I’m a local business owner, permaculture hobby farmer, former naturopathic doctor and professor turned social entrepreneur. Currently I facilitate the co-ownership journey for people, helping them to build community and equity long term. I’m very excited to transition from clinical practice into addressing the more fundamental issues that impact health, both mental and physical.

Skills & areas of interest

• Business and Entrepreneurship

• Networking and Partnerships

• Fundraising and Development

• Marketing and Communications

• Research and Evaluation

• Shared Space and Collaboration

I’m part of 10 Carden because all the interesting threads seem to lead back here, and the generative conversations are the best and most concentrated that I’ve ever seen. I’m excited to see how far-reaching this model of community involvement and support can reach, and how many lives it can touch.

As a board member,  I can’t say I know exactly how I can fit in, but I know a bit about a lot of things, and I’ve got a passion to put that to work in the community, potentially in the realm of social enterprise, health care and housing initiatives. Looking forward to chatting further about all of this!

Website: http://www.therestoration.org/

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jennifer-hillier-6516481b

email: [email protected]

Samantha Casey

Term: June 2020 – June 2023

Samantha is passionate about community building, policy making, and storytelling. She holds a degree in Environmental Governance from the University of Guelph. She currently manages the communications and engagement programs at the University of Guelph’s Sustainability Office. Through her work, she founded the University of Guelph Sustainability Ambassador program, which allows students to take action and lead solutions-oriented projects on the UofG campus. In her spare time, Samantha volunteers with numerous youth-led climate organizations including the Community Climate Council, which she co-founded. 

Skills & areas of interest

• Networking and Partnerships
• Fundraising and Sponsorship Development
• Marketing and Communications
• Social Media Strategy & Activation
• Youth Engagement

I’m part of 10C because I wanted to be connected with others working to drive change in our community. I love having access to a space to connect with other community members and gain access to opportunities to grow my social enterprise’s impact.

As a board member, I can help 10C with youth engagement, community-university relations, and fundraising.

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-casey0/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/samcasey01

Ian Digby

Term: September 2018 – September 2024

Ian is a Guelph physician who has held numerous healthcare leadership positions locally and regionally since 2001. He has a keen interest in healthcare quality improvement, hospital management, leadership development and community engagement. Ian is interested in non-profit governance and sustainability and has contributed to several arts and education boards.

I’m part of 10 Carden because I want to contribute to this fascinating experiment in community engagement and innovation. I’ve seen the dream of 10C slowly turn to reality with the new building and a thriving hub of energy and innovation in our own downtown. Now I want to learn from what’s going on from the amazing people in this place and help sustain the energy.

As a board member, I can help 10C with my leadership experience in other sectors and contribute to board governance, fundraising and sustainability.

[email protected]

Oluwaseyi Adaghe

Term: September 2021 – August 2022

Seyi is a driven and versatile problem-solver with a passion for a developing, leading and cross-functionally executing plans and programs to integrate business success with sustainability objectives. She holds a master’s degree in Environment and Business from the University of Waterloo. Through her work as Sustainability Analyst at Skyline Group of Companies, she aims to help build strong, sustainable communities

Skills & areas of interest:

• Data analysis and research
• Project management
• Business and Entrepreneurship

I’m a part of 10C because it creates space for small enterprises to have big impact, and this aligns with my personal and professional work.

As a Board Member, I can help 10C with managing projects, evaluating project impact, sustainability, and board governance.

[email protected]