Founder

Kais Padamshi is a Black East African-Mixed settler based in Tkaronto/Toronto (Treaty 13) with over 5 years of experience driving transformative outcomes in donor engagement, equity consulting, program development, and strategic planning for not-for-profit, community, and grassroots organizations. A dedicated nonprofit professional, Kais has a proven track record of securing major grants, cultivating donor relationships, and exceeding fundraising targets, with a focus on human rights, advocacy, and community well-being. He has developed mentorship opportunities, produced impactful programs, and forged strategic partnerships centered on the advocacy of mental, social, and creative well-being.

At Workman Arts, Kais created a mentorship program for artists living with mental health and addiction and supported A Room Full of Black Artists (AROBA), featuring the inaugural Black Mental Health Symposium addressing stigma and fostering wellness in Black arts communities. At the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Kais strengthened donor relationship management and community-building efforts while fundraising for talent and career accelerator programs, advancing opportunities for emerging creatives in the film industry.

At Pride Toronto, Kais led the integration and enhancement of a CRM system to improve prospecting, strengthen cross-collaboration efforts, and streamline stakeholder relationship management. He also trained volunteers on effective in-person fundraising strategies, equipping them with the tools to support the organization’s mission and amplify donor engagement. As Executive Director of Operations at the OCAD Student Union, Kais transitioned campus life online during the COVID-19 pandemic, a leadership effort highlighted in the National Observer.

As an equity consultant, Kais has produced an equity audit for The Neighbourhood Group Community Services and facilitated anti-Black racism institutional support for the University of Toronto’s Daniels Faculty. Additionally, Kais holds certifications in Hatha Vinyasa Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Trauma-Informed Yoga, and Yin Yoga (2019), as well as a Peer Support Certification from BEAM (2021), enhancing their ability to support wellness initiatives with a trauma-informed and culturally responsive lens. Kais’s work is guided by a commitment to equity, creativity, and collective well-being.

Kais’ multifaceted experience enables them to support diverse organizations in fostering systemic change, creating inclusive opportunities, and enhancing the well-being of the communities they serve.