April has been a leader in social innovation and community development in Durham Region. She has served the community through her volunteer work with a variety of non-profit organizations and her grass roots fundraising efforts in support of community organizations, individuals and families.

April served as a municipal councillor for seven years. Her focus has been accessibility, poverty reduction, community building, and social innovation.

Her experience includes customer service training in the financial services industry, delivering workshops on personal management skills, job-readiness for at-risk youth, Economics of Staying in School (Junior Achievement), certified facilitator for Personality Dimensions (True Colors), and providing emcee services for community consultation meetings.

April has delivered key note addresses to Oshawa Historical Society, Durham University Women's Group, The Refuge Outreach Centre, The Gate 3:16, and a senior's current events and history organization. She has participated on expert panels and organizing committees for community development. She was a guest lecturer at St. Paul's University for a Masters Ethics program.

She has been welcomed as a guest on CHEX TV Durham and Rogers TV Durham to discuss topics such as leadership, homelessness and poverty issues, community development and social innovation.

April completed an MBA in Community Economic Development and hopes to enter a PhD program in 2012 to further develop her research in Community Participative Decision Making with an emphasis on women and barriers to civic involvement.

April also self-published a book, The Amazing Adelaide House Makeover, has a second book on the go on the human impact of the recession and precarious employment, and blogs on presentation skills, social innovation, strategic planning for non-profits and humourous observations of life for the over-40 crowd.

April concentrates on Creativity and Innovation, but also speaks passionately about community building and issues relating to women in society. Her passion shines through in her easy presentation style. She encourages audience participation and makes a personal connection with audiences large or small. She tailors her subject to the needs of the group - business strategists, sales leaders, youth, volunteers - every organization will benefit from her insights.

Learn how to unlock your creativity to unleash your innovation!

SPEAKING TOPICS
- Unlock Your Creativity Unleash Your Innovation
- Social Innovation
- Community Development