Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Strides Toronto is a multi-service agency providing services to young people from birth to age 29 and their families in Toronto. Formed in January 2020 through the amalgamation of Aisling Discoveries and East Metro Youth Services, Strides Toronto provides a range of community, residential and treatment services to improve the mental, social and physical health of infants, children, youth and families. We provide individual, group and family interventions that include mental health counselling, autism services, education, outreach and referral, early intervention, day treatment and community support. As the Lead Agency for infant, child and youth mental health in Toronto, Strides Toronto works with 25 core service providers to design and implement system-level improvements that transform access to services, experience of services and the mental health outcomes for Toronto’s diverse communities. Strides Toronto has a budget of more than $30 million and more than 325 employees providing services out of 19 locations across East Toronto. The organization is accredited by the Centre for Accreditation and the predecessor organizations have a long history of providing high-quality services in Toronto. For more information, visit: https://stridestoronto.ca/about-us/.

Strides Toronto is dedicated to furthering its commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and in addition to embedding this focus in its strategic plan it will continue to implement real action throughout the organization. In addition, focusing on health equity and social determinants of health will improve the organization’s ability to engage the most marginalized individuals while allowing for more targeted services. At this important juncture in the evolution of Strides Toronto, the organization encourages nominations and applications from energetic and strategic leaders for the role of inaugural Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

Reporting to the Senior Director of Service Excellence, the Director, EDI, will be an influential member of the Senior Management Team. The ideal candidate has an understanding of EDI best practices in the context of not-for-profit environments; demonstrated experience managing a broad EDI portfolio and developing budgets; and, the ability to develop, facilitate, and evaluate training initiatives. The incumbent will work with clients, staff, and community partners in their efforts to build an EDI strategy that will include building partnerships and identifying community-building efforts to strengthen the organization’s mandate of a more equitable present and future. They will also provide system level support and expertise in EDI through the lead agency.

The ideal candidate will be a skilled communicator and mediator with senior leadership experience and will have direct experience working closely with historically marginalized communities. The Director, EDI works in partnership with the CEO, the Privacy Officer, Human Resources, clients, staff, and community partners to contribute toward the organization’s EDI goals and initiatives. They bring a rich understanding of anti-racism and anti-oppression (ARAO) frameworks as well as sound judgment, diplomacy, analytical skills, and research skills. The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree, preferably in the area(s) of human rights, equity, diversity, social justice, or social work.

Strides Toronto is partnering with BIPOC Executive Search to ensure an applicant list that has greater representation from Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, thereby reflecting Canada’s diverse population. All interested applicants can send their resume to Candice Frederick by e-mailing .

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), accommodation will be provided throughout the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities.

We thank everyone for their expression of interest—and are truly appreciative of the time individuals put into applying—but with the limitations of time only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Alternatively, apply through the “BIPOC Executive Search” app. Download the app through the Apple Store or Google Play.