June 11 2026
1:00 - 2:00 pm est
Description
How can citizen movements, foundations, and intermediary organizations collaborate to accelerate the socio-cological transition in Montreal? This webinar offers a conversation between three key players in this ecosystem: the citizen movement Prenons la Ville, the Foundation of Greater Montreal, and the Tamarack Institute. Through this exchange, the panelists will share their collaborative experiences, addressing both the opportunities and challenges that arise when working at different levels. Together, the panelists will explore what each brings to these partnerships and what they gain from them, while reflecting on the conditions necessary to build transformative alliances.
The webinar will also highlight the challenges and opportunities related to funding citizen movements, the role of foundations in supporting citizen initiatives, and the added value of intermediary organizations like Tamarack in this type of tripartite collaboration. You are invited to join us to explore ways to strengthen and expand these kinds of collaborations for social change.
Please note that this webinar will take place in French only.
PANELISTS
Dr. Chúk Odenigbo, Tamarack Institute
Dr. Chúk Odenigbo (PhD) is the Director of Impact Evaluation at the Tamarack Institute’s Learning Centre. A proud Franco-Albertan, Chúk is passionate about how the environment impacts human health and the question of justice in our understanding of how our societies function. This passion is evident in his work, where he focuses on environmental and climate justice in his efforts to not only make green spaces accessible to everyone, but also to combat environmental racism in all its forms and to promote the understanding that a society that is respectful of the environment cannot be created if society is not just.
Chúk has worked in diverse sectors, including the oil and gas industry, the fashion retail industry, and academia. He is interested in the multidisciplinary nature of our existence and in exploring new solutions that address recurring problems. Chúk has been ranked among the Top 30 Changemakers under 30 by the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation, among the Top 10 young Franco-Albertan leaders by Radio-Canada, and was named by Starfish as one of the Top 25 environmentalists in Canada under 25 for three years. Chúk is the recipient of the Eugène C.-Trottier Award for Excellence, which recognizes contributions to the visibility of Alberta's Francophone community, and was named the 43rd Ashley Fellow at Trent University, the youngest person and the first Black person to receive both distinctions.
Erika Massoud, Tamarack Institute
Erika Massoud is a Community Animator with the Networks for Change team at Tamarack. Previously, Erika worked with non-profit organizations and academic institutions in Canada and internationally, on issues of youth engagement, immigrant and refugee rights, gender equality and social inclusion. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Development and Globalization and a master’s degree in Migration and Intercultural Relations. Erika is passionate about mobilizing communities towards social justice.
Vira Kovalova , Foundation of Greater Montreal
Vira Kovalova is Senior Community Partnerships Advisor at the Foundation of Greater Montreal, where she advances Trust-Based Philanthropy, Participatory Grantmaking and Capacity Building approaches. A native of Kyiv, Ukraine, she has called Tiohtià:ke/Montreal home for over a decade. Her work spans international development, frontline community services, and philanthropy, with a focus on climate transition, social equity, and reconciliation. Vira serves on the boards of Projet Collectif and previously the Centre for Community Organizations (COCo). She holds degrees in Sociology, Public Administration, International Humanitarian Action, and Reconciliation Studies, reflecting her commitment to community-centred approaches to social and environmental justice.
Representatives from Prenons la Ville
Photos and bios to be added soon.
