Board of Directors - Member

About Youth Science Canada

Youth Science Canada is a national registered charity with a simple but powerful belief: when young people have the inspiration, resources, and opportunities to engage their curiosity, they experience STEM as an integral part of the world and develop the skills and confidence to shape Canada's future.

That belief drives everything we do. We exist so Canadian youth can investigate scientific questions and develop innovative solutions for current and future challenges, regardless of their cultural background, socioeconomic status, or geographic location. Accredited by Imagine Canada since 2013, we work to ensure that no young Canadian is excluded from the transformative experience of pursuing a question they care about and sharing what they discover.

About the Role

As a director of Youth Science Canada, you would be entrusted with governing a national charity that connects Canadian youth to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) projects. The Board operates under a Policy Governance model and is responsible for:

• Acting on behalf of all Canadians with an interest in engaging youth in STEM, and proactively seeking input from these stakeholders
• Determining the benefits the organization will provide, keeping a long-term strategic perspective
• Ensuring that the organization accomplishes its strategic priorities in ways the Board determines are acceptable

In practice, this means the Board appoints the Executive from amongst its members, sets strategic priorities aligned with our mission, vision, and ends, operates the Finance, Governance, and Nominating committees, monitors Executive Director performance and organizational finances, and reviews and revises policies governing YSC, the Executive Director, and the Board itself. We encourage prospective candidates to read our full Strategic Plan before applying.

Board members commit a minimum of six hours per month to their duties. The Board meets monthly by video conference, and members participate in committee work between meetings.

Directors serve a three-year term and may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.

What We’re Looking For

The Nominating Committee is seeking candidates with demonstrated experience in at least one of the following areas, which reflect the Board’s current needs:

• Prior board experience, particularly with Policy Governance
• Law
• Accounting, investment management, and finance
• Business development and growth

The Board believes its composition should reflect the diversity of the young Canadians it serves. Expressions of interest are strongly encouraged from Francophones, persons self-identifying as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Colour, persons self-identifying as female, non-binary, or gender fluid, immigrants to Canada, and persons living in Northern regions of Canada. These are not requirements but rather provided as a guide to help expand the range of perspectives on the Board.

If you are part of a professional organization or association, we would welcome you sharing this opportunity with your human resources or diversity, equity, and inclusion team.

How to Apply

A complete expression of interest includes the following, submitted through the online form below:

1. An abstract of up to 500 words describing the skills, experience, and perspectives you would bring to the YSC Board. This should speak directly to the skills the Board is seeking, your relevant background, and why you want to serve on the YSC Board specifically. If your application advances, a version of this abstract will be shared with the membership.
2. A curriculum vitae featuring your work history and relevant experience.

The Nominating Committee will only consider complete applications.

The deadline for complete expressions of interest is March 30, 2026.

If you share our passion for engaging Canadian youth in STEM and have the capacity to commit your time, we welcome your expression of interest. Serving on the YSC Board gives you the opportunity to help shape Canada’s premier national youth STEM organization, active in every province and territory and in numerous Indigenous communities across the country.