Home: Toronto, ON. Age: 41. Birthplace: Thornhill, ON, Canada. Profession: Social entrepreneur and movement builder. Pronouns: He/Him/His. Significant other: Leysa Cerswell Kielburger. Alma mater: University of Toronto; York University. Languages spoken: English and French.
Current project: Working with visionaries and families to build their own movements and custom impact projects. Recent recognition: My wife Leysa telling me how proud she is of me. Recent professional development: Keynote speaker at the 11th annual Non-Profit Sector Development Forum in Saudi Arabia. Latest accomplishment: Being a part of the ‘Say it Now’ movement. Latest contribution to others: Helping visionaries bring their dream impact projects to life. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Self-belief. Hobbies: Being a dad. Recent travel or adventure: Kenya. Last book read: Atomic Habits by James Clear. Recently viewed and recommended: Our Planet, narrated by David Attenborough. Recent unique acquisition: A yo-yo.
Personality profile: Curious, hardworking, open. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Driven. How do you define a perfect friendship? Collaborative. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Collaborative. What is your guilty pleasure? Dilly bars. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Amazing! What natural talent have you neglected? Pickleball. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Teacher. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Pizza for my kids. What is at the top of your bucket list? Running a marathon. How do you relieve stress? Exercise. What is your go-to workout? Jogging. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Sunblock.
What was your first paying job? Running a charity. What was your favorite college course? Anthropology. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Lite Brite. What book have you repeatedly read? ‘I Am Malala’ by Malala Yousafzai. What movie have you repeatedly watched? The Disney classics with my kids. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? My whiteboard calendar - a constant work in progress. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Mother Teresa. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Why not me? What’s the best advice you received in your career? Don’t dream it, do it. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Solar-powered minigrids. What is your favorite app? Skipthedishes. What is your go-to source of news and information? My brother. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? My mother. What company or organization do you most admire? MLK Foundation. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Witnessing child slavery in India at 12 years old.
What is your big idea?
You can change the world.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? A more potent form of service-oriented business. What change would you like to see in the world? An increase in service-minded individuals. What message do you want to send out into the world? Why not you? What widely held belief do you reject? Change is too hard. What mega-trend most excites you? Small acts of kindness. What mega-trend most concerns you? Cyberbullying.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Why Not You? What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Zac Efron. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My grandfather. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A hockey player. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? A photo of my brother Marc and me in a jeep in Kenya. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my wife and kids in the woods. What advice would you give your younger self? Breathe. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? My wedding day. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My early twenties.
Personal mission: To make a better world for my children. Personal motto: Be true to you. Favorite quote: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world” (Mahatma Gandhi). Desired epitaph: "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."
