Welcoming the new board of advisors at Inspirations

As an avid supporter of Inspirations since its inception 17 years ago, I am pleased to report that it is increasingly becoming a known and trusted resource and source of information for the special needs community. It is thanks to the financial support of people and organizations who believe in its value that it can continue on this path.  

Over the past three years, Inspirations has welcomed funding from various foundations, which has fueled our growth. We thank the Simon Chang Foundation for Change with whom we are celebrating five years of partnership this year!  

And now, we welcome new funders: the Canada Post Community Foundation, the Canada Periodical Fund (Canadian Heritage), the Hylcan Foundation and the Jaclyn Fisher Foundation.  

This growth has led us to create our first board of advisors, whose mandate is to provide strategic advice and guide Inspirations in achieving its long-term vision and ensure its sustainability. Acting as the chief external advisory group to the leadership of Inspirations, these board members are Inspirations’ ambassadors in the community, helping us promote our mission and assist in our fundraising initiatives.  

We welcome the following individuals to our board of advisors:  

Leslie Butt recently retired after 40 years of service in public education. He was an integral part of the English Montreal School Board’s (EMSB) Financial Services team, where he offered tremendous support to Inspirations. He is currently the interim executive director of the Generations Foundation. We are grateful to have Leslie sit at our table.  

Ambassador of Bell Let’s Talk, Audley Coley is a mental health advocate and subject of the book Audley Enough: A Portrait of Triumph and Recovery in the Face of Mania and Depression, which tells his story of resilience over discrimination, setbacks and fighting the stigma of mental illness. Audley is a public speaker, fitness and dance instructor, community organizer and philanthropist. His lived experience will certainly support our foray into mental wellness.  

David Garfinkle became quadriplegic after a surfing accident over 10 years ago and decided to embrace his future with determination and hope. He is the essence of what Inspirations is all about. The David Garfinkle Sensitivity Tour brings him to EMSB schools, where he shares his insights with students, breaking down barriers to inclusion one question at a time. His experience in life and business will act as an excellent guide for our team.  

Author and communications specialist Susan Grundy’s lived caring experience puts her in an excellent position to steer us as we grow our positive mental health and well-being initiative. She shares her journey of caregiving and sisterhood through the lens of mental illness in a compelling way in her book Mad Sisters. Susan has just released Black Creek, a healing journey from ancestral pain that follows her writing theme of mental health and well-being.  

Francine Levi brings a wealth of experience in the philanthropic field, having enjoyed a successful career in the roles of director, donor relations and development at the Jewish General Hospital Foundation, and principal director of development with the Faculty of Arts & Science at Concordia University.  

I am honoured to have a seat on this Board of Advisors as the member representing the EMSB, as well as the neurodiverse community. I look forward to working with this group and Inspirations’ leadership of Michael Cohen, publisher; Wendy Singer, managing editor; and Mark Bergman, manager, communications and outreach.  

Nick Katalifos is the director general of the English Montreal School Board. He is the father of two young adults, one of whom is autistic.