Well-respected in the sustainability and social innovation sectors in Ottawa and across Canada, Josh has a passion for leading and supporting impactful community programming.
Josh joins Ecology Ottawa’s staff after being an active volunteer, supporter, and close friend of the organization since 2008. He served on the Steering Committee for a number of years, catalysed and led the Great Glebe GREEN Garage Sale for over a decade, was instrumental in bringing the Depave Paradise program to Ottawa, and has supported the organization in other meaningful ways over the years.
Most recently, he helped lead the Innoweave Program at the McConnell Foundation for 5 years, helping purpose-driven organizations and collectives clarify and amplify their impact. He managed a large granting program and connected with a diverse network of professional coaches across Canada. He delivered workshops to deepen the understanding and application of practical social innovation tools, including social enterprise and scaling strategies. He also assessed and adjudicated applications for funding, coaching, training, and other support, and reviewed evaluations and reporting from community organizations.
For 6 years with The Natural Step Canada, Josh successfully led and scaled the IMPACT! Youth Sustainability Leadership Program, as well as related programming for university/college/CÉGEP students and recent grads across Canada. He created comprehensive programming to deepen young changemakers’ understanding of sustainability and social entrepreneurship, enhance their confidence as leaders, and empower them with the skills, tools, network, mentorship, funding, and other supports needed to successfully develop and scale meaningful campus initiatives, sustainability projects, and social enterprises.
Prior to this, Josh worked in a number of meaningful roles in the charitable, private, and public sectors, including with One Change and the Canadian AIDS Society.
He graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2005 (Political Science, Global Studies, and Business Management). He was an active member of the campus community, holding leadership roles in several clubs, and catalysing a charitable campaign to collect household items from students in residence to donate to local community organizations.
Josh is very engaged in the community in Ottawa. He serves on the Ottawa Community Foundation’s Community Grants and Investment Readiness Program committees. He actively volunteers with Bruce House (health) and StopGap Ottawa (accessibility). And he previously served on the City of Ottawa’s Environmental Advisory Committee.
When he’s not busy trying to save the planet, Josh enjoys gardening, cooking, cycling year-round, canoeing, camping, yoga, hiking, XC skiing, and reading in his hammock.