We’re thrilled to introduce Jacob O’Connor, a new member of EcoSchools Board of Directors.
Jacob is the Director of Charity Engagement at CanadaHelps, a leading Canadian non-profit social enterprise that works to promote charitable giving on a national scale.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.
A: Growing up as the son of a social worker and a public servant, it has always been in me to serve and to give back. I grew up in Ottawa where I was very involved in sports and in the outdoors. My mother’s family hails from the Ottawa Valley, and we spent much of our summers up there every year. My great grandfather was also an Algonquin Park Ranger!
After graduating from high school, I became a varsity athlete and studied Finance and Philosophy at Ryerson University (weird mix, right?). While there, I led and grew the high-impact Rising Rams community program, which brought athletes into Toronto elementary and high schools to teach students life skills.
At Ryerson, I was recognized with the Excellence in Leadership Award, was a two-time recipient of the Devon Lord Brooks award recognizing academic, athletic, and community work, and was a finalist for the D.H. Craighead award for outstanding community contribution. I am grateful for my time there!
I have been continuing in my service of aiding others at CanadaHelps where I am currently the Director of Charity Engagement. I work directly with charities of all different shapes and sizes to help them grow their technological capacity to raise funds online. I have an amazing team and I love my work! While at CanadaHelps, I completed a certificate in Non-Profit Leadership for Impact and am currently pursuing another certificate in Business Analysis, both at the University of Toronto.
Q: What makes you personally passionate about the environment?
A: I was lucky enough to have time on Ontario lakes and forests growing up. As I grow and continue to have more of these experiences, I realize the impact they have had on me as a person. To me, there is no beauty like natural beauty. Particularly, I am in my bliss when listening to the sounds, or the lack thereof, of nature. It is an ecstatic and sacred experience for me to be in sync with our natural world, and as these feelings grow with each day, so do my feelings that this is something that we all have a responsibility to protect and nurture.
Q: Why are you excited to be on the EcoSchools Board of Directors, and what unique perspective are you keen to share?
A: I am so excited to join an organization like EcoSchools that is full of passionate people and that is nurturing environmental leaders. We need them, now! Firstly, I hope to bring my fullest self to all that I do with EcoSchools, and, more practically, my experience and success with helping charities across Canada raise funds online. Here we go!
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