The Tamarack Institute is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to ending poverty in all its forms, for good. We support real people and invest in real communities for long-term change.
As November approaches, Tamarack is preparing to say farewell to our remarkable Co-CEO, Liz Weaver as her retirement nears. Join us in celebrating Liz's incredible journey at Tamarack by sharing your memories and best wishes. Read her goodbye note below.
From the desk of Liz Weaver
Dear Changemakers:
During my time at Tamarack, I have been in the wonderful company of learners, explorers, innovators and changemakers. The work you are doing across Canada and the globe is making a direct impact on communities. I have had the privilege to learn with you and to experience the joys and challenges that are part of change efforts. I am grateful to each of you.
Almost a year ago, I made the decision to move out of a leadership role at Tamarack. It’s a wonderful organization with great leaders at the board, volunteer and staff tables. I know the foundation will remain strong and the organization will also be agile and shift with changing times.
I want to thank each of you and the teams I worked with at Tamarack. You have influenced me in different ways and I am richer for the experience of collaborating with you.
Tamarack is a place of dynamic change. Over the past 15 years, there are four distinct pivots that we have collectively experienced. The first pivot was the shift from a 12-community Vibrant Communities network to engaging over 200 communities and regions to tackle complex challenges. We opened the doors and many walked through.
The second pivot was building an intentional learning centre where your journeys and our learning were documented, shared and continue to contribute to the growing capacity of changemakers. Aligned with the growth of the learning centre was the growth of our consulting and coaching services as a social enterprise.
The third pivot was the renewal of the leadership and governance of Tamarack as we moved to a co-CEO model and to a representative and responsive board of directors. The Tamarack 2030 plan is evidence of the strategic vision the board, staff and partners have for this organization.
The fourth pivot takes Tamarack another step further in this journey. Under the leadership of Danya Pastuszek as CEO and the board of directors, Tamarack will continue to evolve and change. One of my favourite approaches is the Collaboration Cycle which helps diagnose where work sits and what is next. Tamarack is navigating the renewal and ideation phases which involve mixed emotions.
I will be writing more about these five pivots and lessons learned.
Your role as supporters and contributors to Tamarack is vital during this time. Thank you for all that you have done in your communities, organizations and in partnership with Tamarack. I look forward to following your work through many platforms. We will stay connected.
This isn’t goodbye, it’s au revoir.
Liz Weaver, Co-CEO
Tamarack Institute
Deepen Your Learning:
- View all free, open-source resources by Liz Weaver
- Check out Liz's popular Collaborative Governance series
- Discover Tamarack online courses and where your donations go
