Heather is a passionate advocate for community-driven development, serving as the Director for Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) at the Tamarack Institute. She is a Stewart of the ABCD Institute and has worked with John McKnight to build ABCD in Canada.  With over 22 years of experience in community development, Heather has dedicated her career to empowering individuals and communities to thrive.  

In her role at the Tamarack Institute, Heather collaborates with all levels of governments especially municipalities and organizations to craft strategies that centers community and foster a sense of belonging. She specializes in implementing ABCD principles to place community at the heart of community plans and initiatives. Heather's expertise extends to coaching and training staff teams, facilitating discussions, and authoring publications on ABCD, engagement, social capital, and belonging. 

Yas is an Associate Director at Tamarack Institute’s Learning Centre, where they are privileged to focus on community development and (re)building relationships rooted in belonging. With an MA in Adult Education and Community Development, Yas integrates storytelling, sustainability, and capacity-building strategies to foster collective impact and meaningful systems change. They specialize in designing inclusive community engagement strategies that amplify diverse voices, ensuring equitable participation in decision-making processes.  

Yas skillfully navigates interpersonal and organizational challenges with empathy, strategic problem-solving, and a deep commitment to anti-oppression. Transformative learning experiences, rooted in adult education principles, is a foundational approach for supporting the capacity of individuals and communities to create meaningful change. This approach also draws on the cycles and wisdom of the land and natural world, Yas’s approach emphasizes weaving shared stories and learnings to cultivate healthier, more connected communities. Passionate about anti-oppression efforts within social change, they facilitate and coach on tools to build a sense of belonging and envision transformative systems change through expanded collective imagination.