Kezia brings 25 years of non-profit operations and program management experience to the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI), Project Manager position. Kezia manages a million dollar rural data solution for hundreds of municipalities with an effort to see more affordable housing built in Ontario. Kezia’s undergraduate in History and graduate studies in Economics are the foundation of her work in social economic development. She has previously facilitated over a decade of youth community action skill building projects funded by Human Resources Development Canada and the Canadian International Development Agency. These projects ran both locally, nationally and internationally servicing hundreds of youth, community partners and involving thousands of volunteers. These youth led community action projects and programs included; food security, sustainable agriculture, indigenous food security, youth services, poverty reduction, international development, small business, micro-loans and the publication of countless print and online educational resources.

In her position with the University of Victoria, Global Studies Department, International Institute of Child Rights and Development, she partnered with groups like PLAN International, UNICEF and World Vision to build the capacity of international child safety. Kezia has a wealth of experience in child and youth leadership and disabilities inclusion.

And in her position as the National Youth Manager for the Canadian Community Economic Development Network, Kezia was responsible for two national youth community building initiatives. CreateAction, funded by Human Resources Development Canada, a national youth internship program. This project placed post-graduate youth across the country with non-profit organizations to make a difference in their communities. And a national universities’ Community Development Service Learning Initiative. This youth project test piloted hubs within universities to integrate community placements for student’s life long learning.