As I settle into my role as CEO of CivicAction, I want to take a moment to introduce myself, share what is drawing me to this work, and offer a sense of where we are headed.
Great cities are not built by institutions. They are built by the people who show up. Policy, infrastructure, and investment all matter. But the future of a region is also shaped by whether leaders know one another, trust one another, and are willing to work together on difficult issues. That is what drew me to CivicAction.
CivicAction has a remarkable foundation. My job is to build something worthy of it and distinct from it: a more focused, more visible, and more accountable civic institution that the region can rely on when coordination is most needed.
Why CivicAction matters now
The GTHA has talent, resources, and people who care deeply about this region. What this moment calls for is sustained civic coordination: a visible platform that helps the region understand its challenges, align its leaders, and convert shared concern into action. That is the role CivicAction is built to fill.
Across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, people are feeling the pressure of rising costs, housing challenges, economic uncertainty, strained infrastructure, and declining trust in institutions. These issues are connected, and no one sector can address them alone. CivicAction has an important role to play: bringing leaders together, creating space for serious regional conversations, and helping turn ideas toward practical action.
We do this by convening leaders across sectors, shaping shared understanding of regional challenges, and turning that alignment into forums, leadership networks, and action-oriented initiatives.
Where we are focused
In the months ahead, we will be focused on the issues that are central to the future of this region. Housing and affordability, the question of who can live, work, and build a future here, remains one of the defining challenges facing the GTHA. Economic opportunity, especially for young people and emerging leaders, will be critical to the region’s long-term strength. Civic participation and trust matter because people need meaningful ways to engage and confidence that institutions are listening. Infrastructure and climate resilience will also shape how this region grows and adapts in the years ahead.
Across all of it, leadership capacity is what connects everything. The GTHA needs leaders who can work across sectors, build trust, and move from concern to coordinated action.
What’s coming next
This is a moment that calls for more from CivicAction. More focus. More visibility. More accountability for outcomes. That is what we are building toward.
The 2026 municipal election will be an important moment for the GTHA. We will use this period to support informed regional dialogue on the issues shaping the future of our communities, including housing, affordability, economic opportunity, infrastructure, and civic trust.
We will continue advancing our housing work, including a forum in January focused on practical solutions and cross-sector action.
We are renewing our focus on the Emerging Leaders Network, with a stronger emphasis on connecting, supporting, and mobilizing the next generation of civic leaders across the region.
This fall, we will bring young leaders together through our Youth Civic Corps, creating space for youth voice, leadership, and action on the issues that matter to them and to the future of the region.
As we approach our 25th anniversary in 2028, we are beginning early planning for the return of a regional summit focused on the future of the GTHA.
We are also exploring new ways to bring city builders together across sectors, strengthen relationships, and support the next phase of our work.
Whether you are a long-time partner, supporter, alum, or someone who cares deeply about this region, thank you for being part of the CivicAction community. I look forward to building this next chapter with you.
With appreciation,
Surranna Sandy Chief Executive Officer CivicAction