Effective April 17, 2023, the Board of Directors is pleased to announce that experienced non-profit leader and community builder, Rishia Burke, will join Community Development Halton (CDH) as Executive Director.
“Rishia embodies every ingredient necessary to drive to building local capacity through research and civic engagement: a depth of non-profit experience, strong community connections and a personal commitment to equitable growth and pandemic recovery as a long-time local resident and volunteer,” says Board President Joanne McKiernan. “The Board is thrilled to welcome Rishia back to CDH in this leadership role and is confident in her vision to lead the organization into a renewed chapter of relevance.”
Rishia brings more than 30 years of non-profit sector experience from diverse health and social service organizations, most recently as the Director of Community Development and Supports with Community Living Brant where she has been successful in developing community partnership and engaging community in strength based initiatives resulting in increased citizen engagement and community collaboration, she has pulled together stakeholders together to launch a community initiative for affordable housing, and has worked to shift the organization from a siloed systems approach to supporting people, deepening person centred supports and actions that lead to community connections for a good life Her specific expertise also includes social research, health promotion, early childhood programs, food systems work, convening collaboratives, and neighbourhood organizing using asset-based community development.
“I believe in the power of civic engagement to build community,” says Rishia Burke. “That’s why I’m eager to take on this role and connect with stakeholders and community members to shape how CDH reinvigorates its work to come alongside the local non-profit sector and local citizens in strengthening the social fabric of our Region.”
If you have any questions please reach out to Rishia Burke at rburke@cdhalton.ca or Joanne Mckiernan at vicechair@cdhalton.ca.
