The Knowledge Sharing Committee, comprised of knowledge brokers, exists to strengthen knowledge sharing and retention among our network of volunteers. 

Knowledge Brokers

Our knowledge brokers bring industry insight, with knowledge of the key players and the competition

Our consultants and engagement managers bring strong functional skills (marketing, finance, engineering, etc.) to our consulting projects, but often come from an industry unrelated to the sectors of their non-profit clients.  This is where the Knowledge Broker comes in — with knowledge of and connections within a specific sector developed through industry or consulting experience, the Knowledge Broker can bring their insider perspective to the consulting project, and help bridge the gap between information and insight.  The Knowledge Broker shares his/her knowledge, information, resources and connections with our consulting teams as they related to specific client sectors, but is not responsible for project work. 

Knowledge brokering enhances access to, understanding of and use of information

Knowledge brokers with direct experience within a sector not only help our consulting teams save time in finding answers to questions and conducting research, but also share their insights as an industry insider.  Some of the questions that knowledge brokers can help consulting teams address include:

• Who are the key players and what are the trends in this sector?  How does this affect strategy?
• Does the information or research we’re looking for exist?  If so, how can we get it?
• Has this model been used successfully before?  If so, what were the criteria for success?
• How does the current environment affect the implementation of the recommendations?

An opportunity for high-performing volunteers to stay involved

Typically, the Knowledge Broker is a current/past Endeavour consultant or engagement manager.  Recognizing the demanding time commitment of each consulting engagement and the valuable knowledge gained from past projects, the Knowledge Broker role was created to allow high-performing volunteers to stay involved with Endeavour without the time commitment required of an engagement manager/consultant role.  While the Executive Team endeavours to identify suitable volunteers to serve as knowledge brokers, we encourage volunteers to approach the Executive Team when they learn about a project that they can serve on as a Knowledge Broker. 

Examples of knowledge brokers on Endeavour consulting projects

As Engagement Manager for The Ontario Rural Council - Rural Youth Working Group consulting project and a long-time resident of the City of Vaughan, Sofia Stefou was able to share her resources and experiences to help the Vaughan Youth Cabinet consulting team.  As a producer and MBA graduate in media management, Sofia is also offering her assistance to the Fly By Night Theatre Company consulting team.

As consultant for a past Endeavour project and Assistant Marketing Manager of Retail Brand & Innovation at Olivieri Foods, Tara Shanahan has been sharing her industry insights and feedback with the consulting teams working on branding and marketing for Meal Exchange and Food For the Poor Canada, non-profits focused on alleviating hunger.

As a consultant on the project for Dress Your Best (DYB), a charity that dresses people from marginalized communities to help them gain employment, Jeanette Chan is able to offer her resources and insights gained on the DYB project to help the consulting team for Windfall Clothing Service, a charity that distributes new clothing to social services agencies.

Responsibilities

A Knowledge Broker is staffed on one or more six-month consulting project(s) where his/her sector knowledge is applicable to a client sector.  The Knowledge Broker helps to enhance access to, understanding of and use of information through activities such as:

• Sharing knowledge and information of key players, models and trends in the sector
• Directing and connecting consulting team to relevant contacts/resources
• Shedding insight on research and information
• Providing feedback to the consulting team
• Participating in meetings with the consulting team
• Sharing knowledge and insight on client relations and project management from consulting engagement experience (if applicable)

The Knowledge Broker is encouraged to attend the consulting team’s orientation and review sessions, but is not responsible for doing any of the consulting team’s work. 

Requirements

• First-hand knowledge of a sector gained through industry or consulting experience
• Demonstrated performance and commitment from existing/previous consulting engagement (for internal applicants)
• Cover letter and resume.  Recommendation from engagement manager/consultant preferred. (for external applicants)

Current Knowledge Brokers by Industry/Sector

Arts

Sofia Stefou, MBA, BCom

Relevant Knowledge/Experience: Producer; MBA in Media Management; Knowledge Broker, Fly By Night Theatre Company consulting project
 
Wasib Muhammad, MEng, BEng

Relevant Knowledge/Experience: Consultant, Fly By Night Theatre Company consulting project
 
Hunger Relief

Tara Shanahan, HBA

Relevant Knowledge/Experience: Assistant Marketing Manager, Retail Brand & Innovation, Olivieri Foods Ltd.; Knowledge Broker, Meal Exchange consulting project; Knowledge Broker, Food For the Poor Canada consulting project.

Daniel Moro, BBA

Relevant Knowledge/Experience: Assistant Marketing Manager, Retail Brand & Innovation, Olivieri Foods Ltd.; Loblaws Customer Businses Development Rep, Maple Leaf Foods

Poverty Relief (Clothing)

Jeanette Chan, BASc

Relevant Knowledge/Experience: Consultant, Dress Your Best consulting project

Neha Tummala, BASc Candidate

Relevant Knowledge/Experience: Knowledge Broker, Dress Your Best consulting project; Volunteer, Dress Your Best

Youth

Sofia Stefou, MBA, BCom

Relevant Knowledge/Experience: Engagement Manager, The Ontario Rural Council - Rural Youth Working Group consulting project; Knowledge Broker, Vaughan Youth Cabinet consulting project

Sectors

If you have industry or consulting experience with one of the following sectors, you may be able to join a future Endeavour volunteer consulting team as a knowledge broker:

• Arts
• Children, Youth and Family
• Community and Social Services
• Culture and Heritage
• Disabilities
• Education
• Employment
• Environment
• Health and Diseases
• Hunger and Poverty Relief
• Seniors
• Sports and Recreation
• Women

Can I volunteer my subject matter expertise?
 
Since our consultants and engagement managers bring strong functional skills (marketing, finance, engineering, etc.) to our consulting projects, the knowledge brokers we currently seek bring sector-specific knowledge.  However, if you are an expert in your field, there are opportunities to join our Subject Matter Expert (SME) committee.  Visit our SME Committee page to find out more.