Emily, the Research and Partnerships Coordinator at Impact Toolbox, has always viewed her journey like a river. “I find that I’ve moved with the natural current of things,” she says. “I try to keep an open mind and welcome opportunities as they emerge.” For Emily, this perspective is about a deep trust in the process and an openness to lean into new experiences to learn, grow, and see where they lead.
This patient, grounded mindset comes from her roots. Emily’s parents immigrated to Canada as refugees of the Vietnam War, eventually raising her in a multicultural neighbourhood in Northwest Toronto. Growing up in a vibrant yet historically underserved community deeply shaped her worldview, while her family encouraged her to prioritize her own happiness, fulfillment, and growth over external validation or chasing timelines.
When it came time for post-secondary, Emily chose Planning at the University of Waterloo for its highly interdisciplinary nature, blending concepts from environmental sustainability and social sciences to economics and urban design. She aligned with the inherent humanitarian purpose of urban planning—to break down silos and make life better for all people. The program exposed her to wicked problems and the complexities of community development, sparking deep reflections on how her own home neighbourhood was changing and what those shifts meant for locals.
Throughout her undergrad, Emily developed a deep appreciation for the social and grassroots aspects of community planning. She realized that the most impactful strategies are those built side-by-side with the community members who live those realities every day. “Seeing everyday people step up and take matters into their own hands to solve local problems resonated deeply with me,” she reflects. Because planning offers so many areas of specialization, these experiences gently planted a seed for a purpose-led career pathway.
This interest expanded when Emily began taking environment and business electives like fashion sustainability and social marketing. Along the way, a professor recognized her knack for translating complex concepts into engaging, human narratives, providing Emily with a pivotal opportunity to pursue a unique research and communications role under her guidance.
Branching out into these spaces opened Emily’s eyes: “I realized there isn’t just one path to making a difference, there are countless ways to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.”
By her final year, Emily focused on having open conversations with peers and professionals across different spaces, curious about what was possible post-grad. This open mindset led to a serendipitous reconnection with Min, a friend from high school. Min was already working at Impact Toolbox, blending media production with an organization that brought genuine fulfillment. Hearing Min talk about her work filled Emily with optimism; it was living proof that a career could be built around shared values. When a research and content development role at Impact Toolbox later went live, Emily trusted her instinct, applied, and joined the team.
Today, Emily channels her relational intelligence and systems thinking into leading initial partnerships, crafting proposals, and supporting funding strategies at Impact Toolbox. Her planning background provides a macro-lens for understanding systemic challenges, while her communication skills ensure every strategy is anchored by a human narrative. It’s an organic fit for Impact Toolbox, where the goal is always to support community leaders driving local solutions.
Looking back, Emily is grateful for the peers, mentors, and teammates who have guided her flow. Looking forward, she’s excited to continue building her skills, deepening her connections, and supporting the community development and social change sector in an environment that truly practices what it preaches: being human-first.
