Zahra Ismail
1. Zahra you’ve had an amazing career spanning the International sphere and in Canada. Please share a few achievements that you feel really proud of.
I am proud of the teams I’ve worked with and the cultures we have created together. I am proud of the establishment of the BC Non-Profit Network and the close relationships of trust with non-profit sector leaders we have been able to build (knowing we have a long way to go). I am proud of the advocacy work I led at South Vancouver Neighbourhood House (“Reframing South Vancouver”) that has led to real change and increased engagement in the underserved neighbourhoods in South Vancouver. I am proud of being the first Executive Director of the Marpole Neighbourhood House, which opened its doors in 2019.
2. What are some of the challenges you have faced and pl share how you overcame them
I have experienced challenges related to equity and expectations of me as a racialized woman in leadership. At times, I can react with a lot of sensitivity, especially when I am in a situation when I feel that I am going to let someone down. There are some moments in which I can’t make everyone happy, and I realize that…but those moments can be hard, especially when equity is at the heart of the issue. I get my strength by understanding my goals and my values, taking time to think through options and seek guidance from people I trust. I am also learning to trust myself more. Time helps me recover from challenges more than anything else, and I do my best to take learnings from mistakes and unfortunate situations to move forward in a better way.
3. Please share your vision of Vantage Point for the next five years.
Over the next five years, I would like to see a Vantage Point that contributes to a stronger and better-connected non-profit sector in BC. This means that more non-profits will work with us through education and consulting services and be able to access enabling supports like bursaries to make our education and consulting supports more accessible. This means a strong and thriving BC Non-Profit Network that is leading advocacy files that non-profits across BC are aware of and feel connected to. This means strong partnerships between the non-profit sector and industry or funding partners that work together to contribute to stronger, healthier, and better connected communities across BC. I would like Vantage Point to have a vibrant, healthy culture where team members feel engaged, valued, and excited about our work. A sense of belonging for everyone we work with.
4. The Nonprofit/Charitable Sector is facing major resource issues-be it donations from individuals/attracting and retaining talent/volunteers. How do the leaders of the Sector need to change their thinking/efforts to thrive in the next 20-30 years? Are mergers and acquisitions collaborations a key component of the survival of the Sector?
I think our funding system and structures need to change so that non-profits can continue to create meaningful impact in community. There are some things that sector leaders can do to shift thinking or approaches to make ends meet better – like embracing partnerships, diversifying revenue, zeroing in on key strategic priorities – but the funding system and structures need to shift in a meaningful way in order for the increasing needs of community members to be met by non-profits across BC and Canada. Mergers and acquisitions can make sense but don’t always – it has to be looked at on a case by case basis, and by boards and staff. I don’t think M&E is effective when directed by funders.
5. Thank you for your efforts to advocate for the BC NonProfit Day. Working collaboratively we were successful with the First BC Nonprofit Day. Did the staff feel recognized? Please share your thoughts/quotes/anecdotes on the impact it had particularly on the staff/organizations.
It would have been more meaningful if the non-profit workforce knew that the BC Non-Profit Day was coming, and if the proclamation (and appreciation) has more visibility. If it becomes and annual day, more non-profits will be able to participate and workplaces will have more time to build out corresponding recognition practices. The first BC Non-Profit Day was meaningful to those of us who knew about it, and it’s always a great signal to see our value recognized by government.
6. The Nonprofit Sector has struggled to be recognized by Canadians as an economic as well as a social force contributing to their well being. Many of us have endeavoured to motivate print and digital media to spotlight the vast Sector and its achievements-with limited success. How do we motivate varied media to profile our Sector the work that organizations such as yours doesand the stories of our heroic frontliners?
I think we have a lot of visibility as a sector that create impact in community. Your average neighbour understands that non-profits support community well-being through arts, sports, social services, food security, seniors services, and more. When you look at our social impact AND see us as a part of an essential workforce – contributing 92,000 jobs in BC alone and $5.49 billion to the GDP – then we will receive more visibility and attention. A key piece is research and data, and collective approaches to telling our story.