Gord, the Director of Innovation at posAbilities, focuses on effecting system change within service delivery organizations and the broader social services sector. For Degrees of Change, he helps the partners articulate the long-term vision for the future of social services and to co-invest in strategies that will help to realize that future. This work includes community development and the catalyzing and harnessing of community capacity; building new partnerships both within and outside of the disability sector; designing new roles, practices and services; and building exposure to different discourses and frameworks with which to understand the current context and imagine new directions.

Over the past twenty years, Richard has distinguished himself as a leader and innovator at the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (BACI). As a passionate advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, and more broadly for all people, Richard demonstrates the ethics, insight and integrity necessary to lead an organization that supports individuals in a community-driven and humanitarian way. His vision, values and strategic thinking abilities have benefited not only BACI, but the broader Community Living movement as well. Richard’s commitment to finding new and creative ways to advance social inclusion is demonstrated through the array of initiatives he has organized – and the cross-sectoral partnerships he has built – regarding social finance and social innovation.

Tanya has worked for BACI since 1996. She started her journey with the Association as a casual employee in Day Services and was fortunate enough to also work in Residential Supports and Human Resources & Quality Assurance. Tanya oversees the Support Services within the organization. Becoming the Executive Director and one of the leaders at BACI was one of her proudest accomplishments. Tanya strives to set an example of collaboration, respect, and commitment to BACI’s vision, mission, and values. She feels honoured not only to work with the individuals and families at BACI, but to share so many special and personal moments along the way. Tanya views disability and community as social constructs – needing all of us ‘one person at a time’ and in our ‘collective actions’ to hope for better, challenge the status quo, identify and build our prosperities, work in partnerships, and make real change for the now and future.

Christine Scott’s last several years have consisted of three foci: (1) growing cross-sectoral networks and partnership in order to collectively advance social missions and impact (2) driving new models of socially-purposed real estate, and (3) investing in social research and development. Christine has considerable experience in child development, family support, and as an educator. Throughout her career, family and community have remained at the heart of her work.

Fernando Coelho is the Chief Executive Officer of posAbilities Association of British Columbia (posAbilities), a multi-regional social care service provider in British Columbia. Fernando thrives on challenges, particularly those that expand the organization’s reach. He approaches each new challenge with a focus on innovation, creative problem solving, and measured risk taking. Under his leadership posAbilities has undergone a major service redesign which has placed the organization on a solid foundation to meet the changing needs of service delivery in the social care sector.