Update from the Board: Staffing announcement
As you may know, our Executive Director Jared Kolb commenced a six-month parental leave in March, with our warmest congratulations to his new family. To support our work during this time, Cycle Toronto welcomed Volunteer & Administrative Coordinator, Clare Scott, to the staff team. Clare brings a wealth of experience in program and volunteer management from her time at Evergreen Bike Works.
We will soon bid farewell to friend and staff member, Joan Milway, who will be moving on to a new opportunity. Joan has been essential to our outreach and Business Membership programs, and a valuable part of the overall operations that keep Cycle Toronto running. We thank Joan for all of her hard work and dedication, and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
In light of these changes, the Board was presented with a unique opportunity to provide our Director of Programs, Keagan Gartz, the much needed staff support during this time while also bringing in the talents of someone who has been close to Cycle Toronto from its early days. With the proven co-leadership of two (2) Director-level staff, the Board has opted not to engage an Interim Executive Director, and instead, will be employing a co-leadership model between Keagan, Director of Programs & Engagement, and a Director of Advocacy & Government Relations.The Board is thrilled to announce that long-time member Liz Sutherland will be joining staff on a short-term basis at the end of the month to fulfill this role.
We are grateful to Keagan and Liz for stepping up and leading Cycle Toronto for these next five months.
About Keagan Gartz, Director of Programs & Engagement
Keagan has been with Cycle Toronto since 2013 and has been a true force in creating meaningful engagement in cycling, and growing our educational and encouragement program portfolios. Keagan’s notable accomplishments include: transitioning Bike Month from the City of Toronto into Cycle Toronto’s GTHA-wide flagship program, professionalizing and growing our Bike Valet service, and launching our Cycle Toronto Rides series. She also created our brand new Road Rules Workshop which works to build empathy and improve safety on our streets. Keagan has been essential to the strategic direction and oversight of all facets of the organization and has been a key part of our advocacy work from developing our upcoming election strategy, to campaigning for the Bloor St bike lanes, to supporting Friends and Families for Safe Streets. We have confidence that Keagan can take on any challenge ahead of her and turn it into something great.
About Liz Sutherland, Director of Advocacy & Government Relations (interim May-October, 2018)
Liz is a former Ward 18 leader, past member of Cycle Toronto’s Board of Directors, current Advocacy Committee member (and former Co-Chair), and serves on the Friends and Families for Safe Streets Steering Committee. She has rich experience in policy and advocacy, including 15 years in the nonprofit sector and five years in the federal government. Originally from Ottawa, Liz holds a master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Victoria. We are excited to have the opportunity to work with her in this role.