Lawna Atkins
Durham,ON
The problem is not to find the answer; it’s to face the answer.
Terence McKenna
Summary
I bring over 14 years of experience in social impact, developmental, and community services — beginning at the frontline and growing into senior and executive leadership roles across both non-profit and for-profit environments. My journey has shaped me into a leader who not only understands operations at the ground level but can also design and execute strategies that drive growth, efficiency, and meaningful impact.
With 7 years of senior management and executive oversight, I have led organizations through change, built strong teams, and directed cross-functional projects that improved systems and services. I thrive on creating practical solutions to complex challenges, blending strategic thinking with hands-on experience to achieve measurable results.
At the core of my leadership style is a commitment to collaboration and being person-centered — ensuring that while operations run smoothly, people remain the priority. I’m looking to bring this balance of operational excellence and human-centered leadership to an organization or business that values innovation, community impact, and sustainable growth.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Director, Community & Partner Engagement
Frontline Mission
03.2020 - Current
Management Specialist - Partnerships and Collaboration
Volunteer MBC
06.2023 - 03.2024
- Cultivated seven new strategic alliances with community service organizations, enhancing collaborative efforts and resource-sharing across nonprofit organizations in the Peel Region in relation to youth mental health and diverse learning opportunity for students, and intergenerational events which brought the Peel Region community together in a unique manner and bridged the gap in service for these two demographics.
- Analyzed membership services and organizational resources, leading to strategic realignments that increased membership renewal rates to pre-pandemic levels.
- Developed and executed comprehensive diversified funding strategies tailored to member organizations and individual volunteer engagement professional that benefited from having more opportunity for professional development, executed this impactful service delivery aligned with organizational mission and contributed to the increase of volunteer retention within the participating members organizations.
Partnerships and Operations Strategist Consultant
Indigenous Friends Association
03.2023 - 12.2023
- Conducted a thorough analysis of departments involved in a collaborative project, identifying key assets and risks, and providing solutions for senior and executive management.
- Mentored junior leadership, enhancing their analytical problem-solving skills and increasing productivity within their teams.
- Developed partnership strategies that significantly increased community engagement and recognition, resulting in substantial new leads and enhanced outreach.
Director of Operations and Co-Owner
Right at Home Canada
01.2017 - 09.2023
- Strategized and implemented sales initiatives, resulting in a 30% year-over-year revenue growth through targeted marketing and increased customer engagement.
- Managed customer relations to improve engagement and increase client retention, leading to a 15% increase in referrals within the first 13 months.
- Developed a high-performing team by implementing effective screening and training processes, contributing to the expansion of the franchise.
- Prior Employment to 2018 can be discussed if I move to the interviewing phase.
SSW Placement Department Manager & Instructor
Ace Acumen Academy
02.2021 - 01.2023
- Ensured social service worker program placement department had updated optimized workflows in order to match students to partner organizations with efficiency to ensure optimal satisfaction and positive outcome ratings for both parties
- Developed and maintained strong skillset in community partnership development, negotiation of short-term and long-term agreements with community organizations, and relationship management on both sides of the spectrum: students and the community partners.
- Skilled in identifying placement challenges and implementing proactive solutions for both organizations and students in their placement terms.
- Deep understanding of diverse populations and have a fine-tuned commitment to inclusive and accessible programming.
- Experience in developing training outlines, professional development content, and placement readiness strategies while also preparing the community organization to embrace bringing on students and allowing them to be mentored in the most productive manner
- Proven ability to lead and mentor cross-functional teams and junior staff while managing performance, and ensuring compliance with placement protocols and ensuring I was accessible to both the organization and students incase of meditation or conflict resolution needs arising.
- Monitored and reported on placement trends, student success rates and organizational feedback to drive program improvement which also led to workshops/webinars for field supervisors and community partners, and aligned learning where both students and organizations came together to learn from eachother in a structured environment.
Education
Diploma in Strategic Management -
07.2024
Grew my understanding of how to lead organizations toward long-term goals, balancing operational efficiency with innovation. Designed and implemented sustainable growth strategies, business models and transformation initiatives through core projects. Gained more advanced insight into budget, cost-benefit analysis, and aligning financial strategies with organizational goals. Through final examination showed that I fully comprehend how to use analytical and evidence-based approaches to make informed executive decisions after critical thinking and brainstorming meetings have taken place.
Bachelor of Arts - Disability Studies
06.2014
The Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University is an interdisciplinary program that centers on critical disability theory, social justice, advocacy and total societal inclusion. This degree equipped me with the knowledge and skills to lead, support, and advocate within the fields of social services, policy and community work as well as disability rights.
Learned to analyze social structures and systems that contribute to oppression and exclusion from political, social and cultural lenses - not just medical models for this while developing and evaluating inclusive organizations
Key Skillsets Acquired:
1. Policy and Legislative Knowledge
- Comprehensive understanding of human rights frameworks in Ontario and Canada such as the AODA, UNCRPD, Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Ontario Human Rights Code
- Learned to assess the impact of laws and policies on individuals with disabilities and how to advocate for their voice to be in the room when making decisions that involve their entire life
2. Program Development & Evaluation
- Advanced capacity for design and evaluating inclusive programs and support for people with disabilities and learned to apply principles of universal design, accessibility and equity-based service delivery
3. Collaboration & Leadership
- Work within interdisciplinary teams
- Proven leadership on projects that focused on ensuring communities are aware of the fundamental ableism that exists, and how we can move to a more inclusive, decolonized society by always choosing to be on the side of social reform.
Associate of Arts - DSW
06.2010
Completed a comprehensive program focused on supporting individuals with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities across various community, educational and healthcare settings while completing placement terms in each one of those institutions across the Greater Toronto Area.
Gained in-depth knowledge of developmental psychology, human rights, inclusive education, behaviour modification, and community living models.
Trained in person-centered planning, advocacy, crisis prevention and intervention, mental health support and trauma-informed care and how to prevent and recognize abuse within the institutional structures the individual lives in the community
Built strong skills in case documentation, program facilitation, and supportive communication to enhance client independence and quality of life throughout the lifespan and various living arrangements within the community
Skills
- Grant management expertise
- Public affairs and stakeholder collaboration
- Execution of strategic initiatives
- Project execution management
- Risk mitigation strategies
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Effective negotiation strategies
- Regulatory compliance management
- Analytical proficiency
- Decision-making
- Staff development
- Hiring and retention
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Limited Working
Persian
Professional Working
ASL
Full Professional
Certification
- Six Sigma Certification (Ongoing) Anticipated Completion: Black Belt Level by 2025
- PMP Certification (Ongoing) Anticipated Completion: 2024
Timeline
Management Specialist - Partnerships and Collaboration - Volunteer MBC
06.2023 - 03.2024
Partnerships and Operations Strategist Consultant - Indigenous Friends Association
03.2023 - 12.2023
SSW Placement Department Manager & Instructor - Ace Acumen Academy
02.2021 - 01.2023
Director, Community & Partner Engagement - Frontline Mission
03.2020 - Current
Director of Operations and Co-Owner - Right at Home Canada
01.2017 - 09.2023
Cambridge Management And Leadership School - Diploma in Strategic Management,
Ryerson University - Bachelor of Arts, Disability Studies
Humber College - Associate of Arts, DSW