Join Social Venture Partners Toronto for an interactive panel discussion focused on the upcoming priorities and trends in poverty reduction for Toronto. The intent for this event is to bring partners and guests up to speed on the current state of poverty reduction before we start a discussion about priorities for the next SVP Toronto investment cycle. 

Light supper and refreshments will be provided.

A donation of $15 (at the event) for guests and members wishing to help cover food costs is welcome.

Speakers:

Susan McIsaac (President and CEO of United Way Toronto) - Ms. McIsaac became President and CEO of United Way Toronto on September 1, 2010. She is a widely recognized leader with more than 20 years experience in the non-profit sector. A senior executive with United Way since 1998, Susan is a key architect of the organization's strategic transformation, from trusted fundraiser to a community mobilizer and catalyst for change. Susan has spent a lifetime in service to the community. She donates much of her time to several non-profits in Toronto including the Greater Toronto Civic Action Alliance Board of Directors, and works as a mentor for United Way's CITY Leaders program, an initiative that develops the capacity of the community social services sector. Susan is also a steering committee member for the Governor General's Initiative on Volunteerism and Philanthropy.

Liz Weaver (Lead Coach, Vibrant Communities Canada, Tamarack) - Liz Weaver is leading the Vibrant Communities Canada team.  She provides coaching, leadership and support to communities across Canada helping initiatives develop their frameworks of change, supporting and guiding their projects and connecting them to Vibrant Communities – Cities Reducing Poverty and other comprehensive community collaborations. Liz has been working in the voluntary sector for over 15 years at a variety of leadership levels and prior to joining Tamarack, was the director of the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction.  

Moderator:  Ben Levin (Partner, Social Venture Partners Toronto) - Dr. Levin is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Education Leadership and Policy. As a civil servant, he served as Deputy Minister for Education for the Province of Ontario from 2004 to 2007 and again in 2008 to 2009. He is a native of the City of Winnipeg who holds a B.A. (Honours) from the University of Manitoba, an Ed. M. from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from OISE. Dr. Levin is widely known for his work in educational reform, educational change, educational policy and politics. 

About Social Venture Partners Toronto

SVP Toronto (www.svptoronto.org) is a partnership of professionals who seek to create significant, long-term social change in Toronto by donating time, money and expertise (venture philanthropy) to support capacity building in non-profits engaged in innovative solutions to poverty issues. We also work to educate our members and the broader community to be well informed, effective and engaged philanthropists especially in relation to Toronto's poverty issues through a series of educational events.