WHO WE ARE

WHO WE ARE

OUR STORY

Scale provides support for impact sector organizations to help them adopt enterprising approaches that
strengthen communities and the social economy.

Vision: Scale Collaborative envisions a thriving, connected and abundant social change sector.

Mission: Scale Collaborative helps organizations transform through coaching, consulting, programs, and capacity building, and creates system-level change by increasing access to resources and capital.

Scale Collaborative Directors

ABOUT US

Founded in 2014, we initially set out to support community-level initiatives to scale up for greater impact. We quickly found that many initiatives were met with uncertainty due to changing funding models and a lack of resources and capacity to scale. We shifted to explore how non-profits could become more independent, resilient, and impactful. Financial independence and diversification are key to resilient organizations that are able to scale and increase impact.

We support leaders, organizations, and public institutions to incorporate enterprising and impactful approaches to strengthen local communities and the social economy. We’ve written countless grants, managed complex teams, developed social enterprises, acquired real estate, and negotiated corporate partnerships. Our team has a track record of entrepreneurial thinking and doing, and strengthening the organizations that have hired us or participated in our programs. We’ve done it all – just like many non-profit leaders. We love this sector and we see the opportunity for change everywhere.

Since we started, we have worked with hundreds of organizations through our Thriving Non-Profits program and sector support initiatives, convened the Social Enterprise Catalyst, became delivery partners of the British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative, and launched Thrive Impact Fund, the first British Columbia-focused impact investment fund. In June 2019, Scale became the owners of theDock – Centre for Social Impact, a community space for social entrepreneurship, coworking and community gathering, innovative programs, and events. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Scale partnered with community allies to support 50+ non-profits and charities through ‘Survive & Recover’ with a focus on financial resilience.

OUR IMPACT

Scale Impact Report 2021

In 2023, we invested in growth in several areas, including doubling the size of theDock, launching the Thriving Non-Profits self-paced program & online Community, taking Connect Money Impact to Okanagan, Thrive Impact Fund reaching the target raise of almost $5M, and having Scale Collaborative achieve BCorp status. This year’s report dives into the diverse and transformative initiatives we’ve supported, alongside the remarkable efforts of our partners.

Read the Scale Collaborative 2023 Impact Report to see how we supported social impact sector growth and impact.

Scale Impact Report 2021

2022 was a breath of fresh air—COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, many people opted to work in-person again at theDock – Centre for Social Impact, Thriving Non-Profits and the British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative expanded to new communities, and Thrive Impact Fund made investments into impactful social enterprises. It was a year of developing new projects and programs, and the evolution of others.

Read the Scale Collaborative 2022 Impact Report to see how we supported social impact sector growth and impact.

Scale Collaborative 2021 Impact Report

2021 was a busy year for Scale as we welcomed seven new team members, expanded our programming and initiatives, and launched Thrive Impact Fund.

Read the 2021 Scale Collaborative Impact Report to see how we supported social impact sector growth and impact.

OUR TEAM

Our team brings a wide range of impact sector expertise to support your organization at any stage of your journey

KRISTI RIVAIT
KRISTI RIVAITDIRECTOR, PARTNERSHIPS & PROGRAMS
Kristi Rivait (KR) brings 20 years of leadership experience in the non-profit sector, including 10+ years as an Executive Director. Kristi is an expert at operational transformation, diversifying revenues, and partnerships that create systems-level change. Kristi co-founded Scale Collaborative to support the empowerment of the impact sector. She inspires and coaches leaders on how to find the right revenue for their missions, shifting their internal culture from a scarcity approach to abundance thinking. Inside the Scale family of organizations, KR is the Director of Partnerships and Programs and the Board President of Thrive Impact Fund.
KRISTI FAIRHOLM MADER
KRISTI FAIRHOLM MADERDIRECTOR, INNOVATION & INITIATIVES
Kristi Fairholm Mader (KFM) has always worked in the social impact sector. After 10 years as a youth worker, she returned to school to complete a business degree, with a focus on social enterprise. Kristi founded and supported several employment social enterprises, and was Director of Social Enterprise for Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network. In 2014, Kristi co-founded Scale Collaborative to support growing a thriving social change sector. Within Scale’s family of organizations, KFM is the Managing Director of Thrive Impact Fund and Scale Institute Society.
 LEE HERRIN
LEE HERRINDIRECTOR, COACHING & CONSULTING
Lee has worked in management and leadership roles in both public sector and non-profit environments for over 20 years. Lee also has more than 20 years of experience serving on boards of directors including 15+ years chairing non-profits. In any setting, Lee is always focused on identifying opportunities for growth and greater impact. He has deep experience with social enterprise development, social purpose conversion of community businesses, acquiring and developing social purpose real estate, and developing organizational strategies for impact.
ROB FISHER
ROB FISHERPROGRAM MANAGER
Originally from London, UK Rob has over fifteen years of experience managing, developing and delivering programs for federal and provincial governments. He has worked in the fields of immigration, public safety and business engagement in the UK, US and Canada. Now keenly focused on building community capital in the non-profit and social enterprise sector, Rob works with local businesses, non-profits, social enterprises and government organizations to help build the resiliency and capacity required to address the issues faced by our communities today.
FERNANDA MARTINEZ
FERNANDA MARTINEZBRAND COORDINATOR
Fernanda was born and raised in Puebla, Mexico and has lived in Canada since 2020. She has an undergraduate degree in graphic design with a specialty in editorial design and an MA in communications. Fernanda has over seven years of project management experience in the printing sector, where she sharpened the creative skills she employs as the Brand Coordinator at Scale Collaborative. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, creating digital illustrations, and finding inspiration in the beautiful British Columbian scenery.
STEPHANIE JACOBS
STEPHANIE JACOBSPROGRAM COORDINATOR
Stephanie has a diverse background in the social purpose sector, having served as an Executive Director, and held previous roles in communications and community engagement. Coupled with her experience as a Board Director, she brings valuable insights into the sector’s challenges and opportunities. Stephanie is dedicated to strengthening non-profits, helping to build capacity, and amplify their impact. She is also an advocate for environmental sustainability and local food systems, and previously ran her own business teaching home gardening and resiliency building skills. She’s often found working in her garden, or stocking up at the local farmers market.
CECILIA LUNA
CECILIA LUNAPROGRAM ASSISTANT
Originally from Mexico, Cecilia (Ceci) has lived in Canada since 2021. She is a marketing professional with four years of project management and customer support experience in the health sector. She holds a Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Victoria. Ceci also volunteers with local non-profit organizations that are supporting other newcomers. When she is not working, she enjoys dancing and eating.
JANELL LUNDGREN
JANELL LUNDGRENOPERATIONAL SYSTEMS COORDINATOR
Janell is a systems wizard and community facilitator with more than 15 years of experience managing people and systems in the environmental, social impact, and food security sectors. She has worked and lived in a variety of cooperative settings and intentional communities since 1996. To her role at Scale, she brings her devotion to cultivating robust and thriving communities, streamlined organizational systems, and synergy amidst complexity. She loves traveling, reading, and cooking with locally sourced ingredients. Originally from California, she has happily called Victoria home for over 12 years.
CLELIE CHEVRIER
CLELIE CHEVRIERADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE
Clélie joined the Dock in 2021 and has been working as a bookkeeper with non-profit/ for-purpose businesses & organizations for over a decade. She excels at setting up and maintaining financial & administrative systems. By reducing the distraction of financial and compliance issues to a minimum; the passionate leaders Clélie works with are free to focus on bringing their vision to life. Clelie loves getting outside with her family and teaching about interdependence, regenerative culture, cordage and fiber arts.
PIERRE WIJDENES
PIERRE WIJDENESLEAD CONSULTANT
Pierre Wijdenes is an accomplished professional with a robust academic background in both business and engineering, bringing a wealth of industry experience to the team. Having earned his PhD in Engineering from the University of Calgary, he co-founded a deep-tech company with a specific focus on health and societal impact. With expertise in capital raising, risk analysis, and business planning, Pierre stands out as a strategic and operational leader who is unwaveringly dedicated to fostering innovation and social value.
SARAH ADAMS
SARAH ADAMSIMPACT CONSULTANT
Sarah combines a masters of business management, with 25 years in research, analysis, and process improvements in the private and public sectors. She spent seven years in the software industry, with roles in implementation, release management, product management, and senior leadership. Sarah believes people can creatively address critical challenges when given an opportunity to clearly see reality, think widely, and experiment. She brings this approach to Scale, working with BC non-profits to increase impact. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the rivers, forests, mountains, and beaches of the Comox Valley.
LISA SEEL-THOMPSON
LISA SEEL-THOMPSONIMPACT CONSULTANT
Lisa combines a degree in Child and Youth Care with more than 20 years of dedicated non-profit experience. Lisa worked her way up in Carya (formerly Calgary Family Services) from front-line to supervisor, to Managing Director of Multigenerational Resilience and Community Development. Lisa excels in developing programs, engaging stakeholders, and finding creative solutions. Her commitment to driving positive social change, and background in leadership and change management make her well-equipped to assist organizations in navigating the complex non-profit landscape.
ERICA MATTSON
ERICA MATTSONIMPACT CONSULTANT
Erica brings more than 20 years of experience working with social impact, philanthropic and public sector organizations to deliver impactful programs, innovative funding models and evidence-based policy solutions. She also brings specialized expertise in arts, culture, heritage and creative industries sectors. Erica brings multi-faceted expertise in policy research, program development and evaluation, strategic communications, marketing, stakeholder engagement, organizational capacity building and change management.
MARY WOLSKE
MARY WOLSKEIMPACT CONSULTANT
A skilled social policy research leader and facilitator, Mary has worked with clients across Canada to create impactful research for over 20 years. A past and present member of numerous non-profit boards, in her role with Scale Mary leads cross-disciplinary research in pursuit of the right information to help non-profit organizations achieve their visions. Mary holds an M.A. in Leadership and is passionate about operationalizing BIG ideas. When she’s not talking strategy, you’ll probably find her with her family or on horseback in the woods.

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