Board of Directors

Girls Forward Foundation is excited to announce that our Call for Nominations to the Board of Directors is now open!

As Canada’s leading organization dedicated to empowering girls through sport and physical activity, Girls Forward Foundation is reimagining what our programming can be and who it can serve. Our vision extends beyond traditional athletic development — we create spaces where girls discover their strength, find their voice, and grow as leaders. Through sport, mentorship, and skill development, our programs support girls from age five through early adulthood.

2025 marks our 20th anniversary and a new chapter for our organization, as we rebrand from Fast and Female to Girls Forward Foundation same mission, same values, but with a renewed promise to ensure all girls and gender-diverse youth feel seen, welcomed, and empowered. This evolution reflects our deep commitment to creating inclusive spaces for underrepresented and marginalized communities and amplifying the voices of girls in sport, physical activity, and leadership.

We are looking for a new Board member to join us in shaping this exciting next chapter

The Board

The Board of Directors of Girls Forward are representatives responsible for providing strategic leadership, governance, establishing policy, and overseeing operations and financial performance of the organization. Our Board Members will serve on several committees including, but not limited to:

• Executive
• Fund Development
• Finance/Accounting
• Governance
• Research
• Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, Accessibility

The Board is expected to represent the best interests of the participants, parents, coaches, mentors, allies, and the organization.

The current Girls Forward board consists of:

• Fahreen Kurji, Chair
• Sophia Dhrolia, Past Chair
• Candace Moody, Treasurer
• Gina Mulic, Secretary
• Olivia Oldfield
• Beje Melamed-Turkish
• Stefan Underwood
• Allison Swelin
• Ayesha Ali

The Nominations Committee is seeking candidates for one Director-at-large position with experience in one or more of the following areas of focus:

• Legal/Charity/Not-for-Profit Governance
• Corporate Sponsorship
• Professional/high-performance Sports
• Research/Academia
• Previous experience as a Board of Directors Secretary

Candidates will also be reviewed for potential committee participation.

Additional preferences:

• Bilingual
• Geographical representation across Canada
• Experience in leading a charity or not-for profit to a significant budget and reach growth
• Advocate for and/or have experience in social change/activism and believe it what Girls Forward aims to accomplish for girls in sport and physical activity
• Exhibit strong leadership qualities, a growth mindset, and a passion for empowering girls through sport and physical activity
• We are committed to selecting a committee of members who, in addition to possessing the desirable experience, values and skill sets, comprises meaningful and intersectional representation from racialized and marginalized communities, including, but not limited to:
  • Indigenous peoples (First Nations – includes Status, Treaty or Non-Status, Métis and Inuit)
  • Visible minorities (includes people (other than Indigenous) who are non-white regardless of place of birth)
  • Individuals with a disability
  • LGBTQI2S+ individuals
  • We welcome applicants of all genders, including those who do not identify as women.

Board Requirements:

• Board terms are for a minimum of two years with a maximum of three consecutive terms.
• Meetings are held monthly on zoom typically at 6 pm Mountain, 8 pm Eastern time.
• A commitment of 10 hours per month
• Participation on the Board is voluntary, and there is no remuneration for service.

Board member responsibilities include:

• Providing accountability and support to the ED and staff as they implement the strategic and operational plans;
• Chair of or participation in committees, such as nominating, governance, fund development, and finance;
• Reviewing agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings;
• Approving annual budget and audit reports;
• Contributing to the ED annual performance evaluation;
• Representing Girls Forward to stakeholders and acting as an ambassador of the organization;
• Standard fiduciary responsibilities and duty of care for Canadian charities;
• Completing all required trainings estimated at <5-10 hours per year by the agreed-upon deadline

Eligibility:

Individuals of any gender who are 18 years of age or older, have the power under law to contract, who are not an employee or paid contractor of Girls Forward, and have an interest/passion for creating participation and leadership opportunities for girls and women in sport and physical activity may be nominated.

Timelines:

• August 20, 2025: Open Call for Candidates
• September 28, 2025 Deadline for Expressions of Interest
• October 2025: Virtual interviews conducted
• October 21 or 28, 2025: Confirmed nominations provided to the Girls Forward Board of Directors + voting
• November 2025: Newly elected Directors introduced and welcomed at the monthly board meeting

If you meet these requirements, offer our desired key competencies, and are interested in contributing your expertise to our dynamic and growing organization, please submit your statement of interest and resume below and complete the following form. The posting will close on September 28, 2025. If you require any additional supports or accommodations to be able to submit your nomination, please e-mail us at info@girlsforward.ca