Savannah Clarke
Brampton,Ontario
Summary
Experienced and strategic leader with 8+ years of expertise in establishing mission-driven organizations, securing six-figure public and private funding, and directing community development programs throughout Canada. Proven track record in mobilizing stakeholders, expanding national audiences, and cultivating impactful philanthropic partnerships to advance racial justice, equity, and cultural preservation.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Community Manager & Program Coordinator
MusicOntario
08.2023 - Current
- Manage a vibrant network of musicians and industry professionals, fostering growth through mentorship, workshops, and curated events.
- Spearheaded a high-impact advocacy campaign, mobilizing 7,000+ emails to key government officials, directly contributing to a $32M annual increase in national funding for the music sector.
- Led and moderated 40+ professional development sessions, reaching over 1,500 industry professionals.
- Drove key initiatives that strengthened the organization’s presence and influence within the music community, increasing membership by 70% over two years through strategic partnerships and impactful programming.
- Represent the organization at major conferences and trade shows (i.e. FAI, SXSW, Folk Canada, Reeperbahn etc.) enhancing visibility and showcasing thought leadership.
Founder & Executive Director
Nina’s Daughters Co.
06.2020 - Current
- Company Overview: A non-profit organization amplifying, supporting, and preserving the work of Black women musicians and creatives across Canada and the diaspora.
- Secured over $65,000 in government funding in the past year alone, representing a major milestone in transitioning the organization from self-funded grassroots work to a publicly supported arts and culture institution.
- Cultivated strategic relationships with arts councils, funders, and sponsors, laying the groundwork for future funding success and significantly increasing organizational visibility and credibility.
- Led strategic visioning, multi-year planning, and operational execution for national campaigns, artist showcases and capacity-building workshops.
- Designed and implemented donor engagement strategies including impact storytelling, virtual performances, and branded stewardship experiences.
- Recruited and managed a cross-functional team of contractors, artists, and volunteers, fostering a culture of collaboration, growth, and long-term sustainability.
- A non-profit organization amplifying, supporting, and preserving the work of Black women musicians and creatives across Canada and the diaspora.
Director / Executive Director
Toronto ChowFest
08.2017 - 08.2024
- Company Overview: An annual cultural food and music festival celebrating Caribbean and Black diaspora communities.
- Secured over $300,000 in private revenue through a mix of sponsorships, grants, and community gifts, directly fuelling the festival’s growth and sustainability.
- Led the annual budgeting process from end to end, managing cash flow, allocations, and reconciliation for a multi-stream festival budget.
- Spearheaded community outreach and media strategies, driving a 3,000+ increase in attendees through targeted engagement and media partnerships.
- Developed and stewarded partnerships with local businesses and national brands, aligning their CSR and DEI mandates with festival programming.
- Oversaw festival operations including fundraising strategy, team hiring, logistics, stakeholder relations, and post-event evaluation.
- Leveraged community and sector relationships to negotiate in-kind support, venue partnerships, and co-branded campaign opportunities.
- An annual cultural food and music festival celebrating Caribbean and Black diaspora communities.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Geography, Business Management
University of Guelph
Guelph2017
Skills
- Salesforce
- Asana
- Canva
- Mailchimp
- Google Workspace
- Slack
- Zoom
- Eventbrite
- Adobe
- Social Media Platforms
- Adobe
- Social Media Platforms
- Adobe
- Social Media Platforms
Accomplishments
- Raised $300K+ in private and public funding, fueling long-term sustainability and capacity across multiple community-based organizations.
- Built and leveraged a cross-sector network spanning nonprofit, community, and private sectors to elevate visibility, credibility, and collaborative opportunities.
- Led multi-year programming and organizational strategy, managing cross-functional teams, overseeing budgets, and ensuring efficient project execution.
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Elementary
Timeline
Community Manager & Program Coordinator
MusicOntario
08.2023 - Current
Founder & Executive Director
Nina’s Daughters Co.
06.2020 - Current
Director / Executive Director
Toronto ChowFest
08.2017 - 08.2024
Bachelor of Arts - Geography, Business Management
University of Guelph
Similar Profiles
Raman ChopraRaman Chopra
Crew Member at A&W CanadaCrew Member at A&W Canada
NAVNEET KAURNAVNEET KAUR
Hospitality Associate at Caledon Curry and CocktailHospitality Associate at Caledon Curry and Cocktail
Jaspreet KaurJaspreet Kaur
Sales Associate at DollaramaSales Associate at Dollarama
Jasmine DeanJasmine Dean
Program Coordinator for the Center for Health Equity & the Community Asthma Prevention Program at Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaProgram Coordinator for the Center for Health Equity & the Community Asthma Prevention Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Nayeli ResendezNayeli Resendez
Community Cat Program Assistant/Coordinator at Palm Valley Animal SocietyCommunity Cat Program Assistant/Coordinator at Palm Valley Animal Society