b'COMMUNITY INVESTMENTOn a more personal note, what brought2023 marks the 25th anniversary of the SEF. you to the SEF? What about its mandateAs you celebrate this significant milestone, appealed to youand how has working athow are you looking ahead to the future? the SEF shaped your views about corporateWhat are some projects or initiatives that social responsibility? youre really excited about?I joined the team almost nine years ago because IIm definitely excited about a couple of initiatives in was really drawn to come and work with the SEF. Theparticular, the first being our Indigenous Youth Advisory vision and the work they were doing was inspiringCouncil which I mentioned earlier. This is a group of and, in my opinion, set Suncor apart from every otheryoung Indigenous leaders that provides input to both corporate community investment. Their relationship- SEF and Suncor. The incredible perspective that they focused approach to social innovation created suchbring into our work, guiding what is needed most for a deep impact with deep connections to community,the future, is amazing.and its national in scope, so the potential for change is great.Im also very excited about whats possible when we bring young leaders together and sit down with them in I was really struck by the degree of communityceremony, creating the time and space to think through engagement with the SEF, too. The fact that people togetherwhat is needed to create change.wanted to wrap their arms around the work the Foundation does was a real draw. And although theThe second thing that Im really excited about is the work is national in scope, theres still such a deeptrend of an overall change in philanthropy: a move-impact and deep connections to community. Its ment toward trust-based philanthropy. This kind of very unique. philanthropy not only acknowledges that people on the ground who have lived experience really know I really love working with the people: the relationshipswhat the community needsas I mentioned earlierit with partners and the internal team, who are amazing.also transfers power to the community. Theyre the I still feel like I learn something new every day. I thinkones who decide how funds are collected, disbursed youre in the right place if youre still enjoying chal- and utilized. From a grassroots perspective, its just lenges and you continue to learn. acknowledging that lived experience matters, and people who have that experience know what they Thats definitely one hallmark of a greatneed. It represents a shift in the power dynamics thats work environment! What would you saybeen needed for some time. to other organizations that are perhapsI believe that this movement will help us allnot just thinking about embarking on similar partnerships but might not be sure where nonprofits, but communities in general. or how to start? What advice would you give them? Finally, what do you personally love about Embarking on partnership is always about reciprocityworking in partnership with Indspire? Is and knowing that communication must always go twothere a story that youd like to share?ways: asking communities and organizations whatI really enjoy the people! The team at Indspire is great they need most and then listening, really listening, toto work with; theyre very dedicated and always ready their responses. That kind of deep listening is essentialto support what each of their stakeholders needs, and helps inform how you approach those partner- whether thats Indigenous youth, educators, Indspire ships. The employees, the people on the ground, theAward recipients, or the broader community.people at the organizations youre approaching they really know best what their communities need, soIve had the opportunity to attend the Indspire Awards listen to them!and Soaring as well as the National Gathering in the past. Each event is unique and Ive come away from Authentic partnerships mean that everyone needseach one being inspired in a different way. Each time, to show up with their whole selves: open hearts andIve gained valuable knowledge shared by someone, open minds. and for that, Im very thankful.56indspiration2023'