My Career Journey

Hello! I’m Stephen. I help changemakers work smarter, collaborate better, and achieve lasting change. I have built my career in nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, combining deep sector knowledge with over a decade of leveraging technology and data to drive impact. I am known as a trusted advisor who bridges the gap between mission and technology, helping organizations turn complex challenges into streamlined systems that truly enable their work.

Early Career and Discovery

I began my career in education, both as a teacher in the Bronx and in an early literacy nonprofit where I developed curriculum materials and led cohorts of college students to deliver instruction. My path took a new direction in 2013 when I joined Commonwealth Corporation, a Boston-based workforce development agency. There, my growing interest in technology evolved into a true passion for leveraging data and systems to benefit communities and advance social good. Over six years, I spearheaded the design and configuration of Salesforce to modernize grantmaking processes to support a $50 million annual grants portfolio, led cross-functional teams to streamline key business processes, and oversaw the launch of innovative tools, including an online marketplace that connected businesses with training providers. My work helped CommCorp modernize its grantmaking, improving efficiency and client service across a complex public funding portfolio.

Extending Impact Through Leadership Development

In 2019, I moved to Montréal to pursue my MBA at McGill University. There, I deepened my business acumen, broadened my leadership toolkit, and improved my French. After graduation, I joined Grantbook, a consulting firm supporting the philanthropic sector. I advised some of the world’s leading grantmakers and managed large-scale technology implementation projects, including the firm’s largest Salesforce deployment. Recognized for my collaborative leadership style, I was promoted to people lead, mentoring a team of consultants and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.

Most recently, as Manager, Operations and Systems at Community Foundations of Canada, I led digital transformation initiatives for the national network of community foundations. I developed a comprehensive data governance framework, guided partner organizations on technology strategy, and led the selection and implementation of core systems. My work advanced transparency, efficiency, and collaboration across the sector, helping move more than $200 million of funds into communities from coast to coast to coast.

Continuing My Journey

I am currently taking on new consulting engagements and am open to in-house opportunities where I can help mission-driven organizations transform the way they work with technology and data. Whether you are a nonprofit leader, funder, or peer exploring how technology can strengthen impact and advance social good, I’d love to connect!

I am always eager to collaborate with others who care deeply about community impact and innovation.

Home is Toronto, where I live with my wife and our pandemic puppy, though Montréal and Boston will always feel like home, too. Outside of nonprofit tech, you can find me biking through Toronto’s many green spaces, cooking elaborate meals for friends and family, planning my next trip, and cheering on the Blue Jays.