MARIAM WALIJI

Vice-President - Equity, Impact & Governance

Mariam has a passion for connection – whether it be with people, place, or community. Her years studying evolutionary genetics and ecology sparked questions about how local food systems and restricted access to well-grown food impact society in multifaceted ways; this encouraged her to work towards addressing inequities and barriers to access more broadly in our current systems.

Her work with Pillar Nonprofit Network, and specifically past work with WOSEN (Women of Ontario Social Enterprise Network) allows her to reframe the definition of success for social impact organizations while creating space to explore what it means to have intentional, meaningful impact in community in long-term and viable ways. Mariam’s experience and leadership as a Director of Urban Roots London uniquely equips her with the knowledge and skills required to understand nonprofit governance, social enterprise models, and community development work; a lens she brings with her to her work at Pillar Nonprofit Network.

Through education, an emphasis on sharing narrative, an understanding of intersectional environmentalism, ongoing personal development, and a genuine connection with her community, she aims to encourage growth and power in collaborative economy.

You can often find Mariam out in nature -- camera in hand and her best pal (and dog) Orion by her side.