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Toronto, ON, November 16, 2009. It’s been one year since DiverseCity announced its bold and detailed plan to change the face of leadership in the Toronto region. The three-year project launched in 2008 with a Conference Board of Canada report linking diverse leadership with economic growth and social cohesion. With this evidence in hand, project leads the Toronto City Summit Alliance (TCSA) and Maytree released an eight-point plan to accelerate prosperity in the Toronto region by enabling a more diverse leadership to emerge.

At a reception for 100+ DiverseCity partners at the Ontario Medical Association offices, the project’s Year 1 Review was circulated, outlining progress to date. (To view photos, please click here.)

Here are some highlights:

  • 300 diverse leaders placed on nonprofit and public boards
  • 140 diverse spokespeople registered on an online rolodex for journalists
  • 60 diverse leaders trained to run for political office or manage campaigns
  • A new spin on the “old boys club” established to connect emerging and established leaders across sectors
  • 6 innovative city-building projects that show the promise of diverse leadership
  • First-ever research report revealed that just 13% of leaders are diverse (relative to 49.5% of the population under study)

“We’re on track to reach our goals for the eight initiatives we took on, but the real opportunity rests with our partners,” says the TCSA’s CEO Julia Deans.

By engaging a large and broad cross-section of organizations and businesses that are committed to diversifying their leadership, the project aims to build momentum.

“We want to transform the leadership landscape,” added Deans. “This can’t be done by two organizations working in isolation. Our partners have the knowledge and scope to really bring this project to scale.”

Joining Deans and Maytree President Ratna Omidvar in addressing the audience were three partners, each with a story of success to share.

  • Frances Lankin, CEO of the United Way Toronto
  • Adam Vaughan, Toronto City Councillor, Ward 20 Trinity-Spadina; City of Toronto Civic Appointments Committee Chair
  • Naomi Shaw, Vice President, Leadership, Scotiabank

To date, more than 150 businesses, nonprofits and public agencies have signed on as partners. DiverseCity wants to double participation by project close in 2011.

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DiverseCity: The Greater Toronto Leadership Project is the latest project of Maytree and the Toronto City Summit Alliance. With its eight initiatives, the project will change the face of our region’s leadership. It will expand our networks, strengthen our private and public institutions, advance our knowledge on the role of diversity in leadership and track our progress. For more information, visit www.diversecitytoronto.ca.

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