Anjum is a proud first-generation Canadian who leverages her expertise in policy, public affairs, strategic communications, applied research, and board governance to be a catalyst and champion for social impact and inclusion. She currently works as the inaugural Director of Youth Leadership and Policy Advocacy at Plan International Canada, a global development and humanitarian charity focused on advancing children’s rights and equality for girls globally.
Anjum joined BoardShift to connect with like-minded individuals interested in taking their governance experience to the next level and to broaden her understanding of the governance ecosystem in Ontario and beyond. She would like to deepen her governance impact by serving on the board of a charity, a think tank, or on a public sector agency, board, or commission with a Greater Toronto Area or Ontario geographic focus. Drawing on her expertise, Anjum is interested in organizations working on issues related to social policy and the social determinants of health, such as youth leadership, children’s rights, gender equality or decent work.
From her prior board experience, Anjum appreciates organizations that understand the value of lived experience by prioritizing those living in the catchment area of a community service-based organization. Organizations that also invest in building a talent pipeline that can serve in a governance capacity in the future are also inspiring. Examples include creating opportunities for community members to serve on Board committees, establishing community advisory boards, and ensuring there are opportunities for the next generation of leaders to contribute toward the board’s thinking, such as enabling Youth Board Directors or Youth Advisory Committees.
For those looking to get more involved in the charitable sector, Anjum advises to find your counterpart and build community, and stay current on sector news. Whether you work in academia, the private sector, labour unions, the public sector or another pillar of society, find your counterpart in the non-profit and charitable sector. Learn about their journeys, how the function differs across sectors, but also what brings you together. When you get on a board, you will have peers you can lean on to get non-profit and charitable sector contextual insights. For sector news, a few examples to follow are CharityVillage, CivicAction, IMAGINE Canada’s Early Alert Newsletter, Ontario Nonprofit Network, and The Philanthropist.