EKO Seeks Volunteer Board of Directors Candidates

Background

Empowered Kids Ontario-Enfants Avenir Ontario (EKO) is seeking volunteer leaders to join our Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning November 2026.

EKO is a federally incorporated, registered charitable member organization dedicated to kids with disabilities living their best lives. A founding member of the Children’s Health Coalition, EKO represents a growing membership of publicly supported developmental healthcare agencies, and promotes investments, policies and programs based on the best research and thought leadership available, from sources all over the world. We look for smart, innovative approaches to care at home, in schools and in communities across Ontario.

Dedicated to the association’s mission, our Directors' champion exceptional board leadership. In addition to the standard roles and responsibilities of board directors, EKO board members are advocates and ambassadors for both the association and sector.

EKO is seeking exceptional individuals from across Ontario who bring legal and regulatory, healthcare administration/leadership, and/or government & government relations experience to join the Board of Directors.

Prior board experience and understanding of leading governance principles and practices gained as a senior executive and/or Board member is highly desirable. Candidates meeting these requirements who bring diversity of living experience to the Board are also of interest.

If you are interested in joining the EKO Board of Directors, please send your expression of interest and resume to cdavidson@empoweredkidsontario.ca and complete the skills matrix below by 5 pm Friday, June 12, 2026.

Questions? If you have any questions, or require accommodations to complete this survey or submit your expression of interest and resume, please email Caroline Davidson - cdavidson@empoweredkidsontario.ca

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* 1. Your first and last name

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* 2. Your email address

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* 3. Your phone number

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* 4. Preferred method of contact

Phone call

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* 5. Rank the following skills # 1 through # 14 (1 being the skill you have highest level of knowledge / experience and 14, the least).

Governance & Boards – prior board or committee experience and awareness of roles and responsibilities, including governance policy, issues, trends

Government & Government Relations – prior knowledge and awareness of the political environment and what is required to engage elected officials and decision makers

Special Needs / Disability Sector – experience in and understanding of the sector and in particular of children and youth with special needs and their families

Child Development & Rehabilitation Systems & Government Policy – knowledge and understanding of the Ontario system of child development and rehabilitation and the relationship to social policy and/or health policy and/or education policy

Child & Youth Services Sector – prior knowledge, experience and understanding of the child and youth services sector, including transition from the pediatric to adult systems in Ontario

Strategic Planning – the ability to think strategically and experience in participating in or leading an organization in planning for its future

Entrepreneurial / Business Management – experience in and knowledge of business practices and principles and/or social enterprise

Public Relations / Communications – experience in and knowledge of development and oversight of public relations and communications campaigns

Healthcare Administration/Leadership – expertise in health system operations, strategic governance experience, quality and safety improvement, and collaborative board leadership to advance EKOs organizational mission and impact

Innovation and/or Digital Expertise – Knowledge of strategic digital technologies to improve business operations, enhance client interactions, and the creation of products of services to meet evolving market demands

Legal – understanding of and experience in governance requirements of the not- for profit sector

Stakeholder Engagement & Related Activities – ability to understand and ensure the effective oversight of engagement and communications with members, the public, government, and other key stakeholders

Finance / Accounting / Audit – accounting credentials and/ or experience in preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluation of financial statements. A strong understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements and their application

Human Resources – experience as a human resource professional with a strong understanding of organizational structure, human resources oversight including compensation, recruiting assessing and succession planning.