This month, the ELN spotlight lands on Matt McNama – 2016 Events and Programming Lead on the ELN Executive Committee. Matt is a marketing and communications professional with a passion for problem-solving and tackling big issues. Matt is an avid cyclist, marathon runner, and yoga enthusiast who volunteers his time and energy to organizations like Pride Toronto, as a board member for St. Simon’s Shelter and with various political campaigns. Matt sometimes likes to sleep in his spare time.
To learn more about Matt and what he’s doing when he’s not sleeping, read on.
I currently live in …
Toronto’s Bay Street Corridor. I live and work within 5 blocks and spend 90 % of my time in the same area. I am always inspired by the diverse people and experiences I find myself in. All within 5 city blocks.
I speak …
English and Arabic. But I am determined to learn Cree now. I was inspired by federal MP, Marc Miller, who opened the House of Commons to launch Aboriginal History Month in Mohawk.
It was tremendously moving to hear an Indigenous language spoken in Parliament by a non-Indigenous Canadian. After all, Canada’s first democracies were all grounded an Indigenous languages.
Diverse leadership is important because…
I believe leadership needs to reflect the communities it serves. It sounds cliché, but I really believe the best decisions are made when the people affected by the decisions are included in the process and multiple perspectives are included. Today study after study is telling us that diverse leadership drives innovation, inclusive solutions, sustained profits and the list goes on and on. Yet, when we look at the leadership of many organizations, they are stacked with individuals that are similar. We can do better, and we must do better.
Civic engagement is important because ….
I was a troubled young person, with few promising prospects. I stumbled upon a quote that resonated deeply with me. “Futures don’t just happen, they are created through hard work and perseverance” . I quickly realized, that I needed to play a more active role in shaping my future and I now approach civic engagement is a similar fashion. I think too many people leave this up to others. They tend to feel they have little power or that city building should be left to the intellectual elite. I think that is non-sense.
Our city, our province and our country require continuous investments by each of us to realize our promise .
My greatest city-building accomplishment to date is …
Working with the City of Calgary and the United Way of Calgary to improve Indigenous high school completion rates. Indigenous youth are the fastest growing demographic in Canada, yet they are the least likely to graduate high school. Helping build a program that has dramatically improved the number of students that earn a high school diploma is something I am very proud of. Education has changed the trajectory of my life, it was a gift that I am grateful for and realize it is incumbent on me to pay it forward.
One thing I do to ensure I continue to grow and develop as a leader is…
I’m rewriting the question, the one thing I need to improve how I manage is my network. I struggle at stewarding my contacts and networks – any tips? You can share them with me via LinkedIn or Twitter.
One characteristic every leader should possess is …
Emotional Intelligence. At its core I believe that leadership is about people and in our culture so much
If you want to get more engaged in your city or community you should …
Start small, find an existing cause or program that you are passionate about. And if you don’t know, visit your local community centre. Every time I visit my local community centre (the 519) I learn something about myself, my community, and I find ways that I can get involved.
To me, an inclusive city/region/GTHA looks like…
I am a humanist, I tend to think of a city based on the lived experiences of its people. Hence, when I think of an inclusive GTHA I think of a city that acknowledges difference and fully sees diversity as our strengths and not our weakness.
One of my favourite places in the GTHA to visit/go is ….
I love trying new restaurants – Friday is date night and my boyfriend and I try to go someplace different each week.
A hobby/talent of mine that people may not know about …
I am addicted to group fitness. It provides instant gratification and I feel like I am apart of something bigger and better than myself.
Filed Under: Faces of ELN