September 11, 2024
This month, Stacia was pleased to sit down with St.Amant Foundation Executive Director Tania Douglas to welcome her and get to know he a little more.
SF: Well, it’s been about two months for you now. What a whirlwind. Welcome! How are things going?
TD: Oh my thank you so much! They are amazing. It’s wild that we’ve sent so many emails back and forth and we’re just getting to see each other in person for the first time now!
SF: I know, this summer has been fun and very busy. Glad we get to see each other now. Okay, first question – name, title and time at St.Amant please.
TD: Tania Douglas, Executive Director at St.Amant Foundation and I’ve been here since June. two months and three days lol.
SF: So, what was your career path to get to St.Amant?
TD: I’ve worked in fund development at various not for profits for 20 years and have gone between health/the disability community and the arts: two passions of mine and two communities I’ve found my place in.
My first fundraising job was at Continuity Care, a grassroots organization that helps families plan for the future of their loved one with an intellectual disability. They help answer the question of “what’s going to happen to my child when I’m gone?” It super important to have circles of support, and community. I’ve been part of a support network for an individual since that time and we love going to ball games and chat on the phone every week.
Notably, I’ve also worked at Children’s Hospital Foundation, Inclusion Winnipeg, MAWA, and Manitoba Opera.
Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art (MAWA) is a tiny powerhouse in the arts community. I was so proud to support them. Winnipeg has such an amazing arts scene, music scene etc. There are really cool niche communities here. I feel like when people say they’re bored in Winnipeg they aren’t getting out enough.
SF: Totally agree! Are you from Winnipeg?
TD: I was born and raised in Winnipeg in St. Vital and now I’m in the West End: both awesome communities!
SF: What does a day in the life look like for you?
TD: At St.Amant? The Foundation is responsible for raising extra funds for St.Amant and helping improve the quality of life for those that we support, so right now it’s about getting to know all the departments at St.Amant so I can be an advocate with our donors and communicate the need to have an amazing quality of life for those we support and for people to really be valued in their community.
The Foundation is like a bridge for donors to really understand what the need is here. Right now we’re gearing up for the biggest fundraiser of the year: Free the Spirit Festival! It’s a really fun time and I’m pumped for the actual day. The whole community is invited and it’s a really great day for everyone to come together to have fun. So right now were putting it all together.
Quick sidenote for staff: please join the staff Olympics for bragging rights and really great prizes like a paid day off for teams! Register on the Blink link 🙂
But mostly day by day, I’m just trying to meet everyone I possibly can and learn what the needs are so the Foundation can fulfil those needs.
SF: What made you apply to St.Amant?
TD: When the job came up it just felt right. I volunteered here as a teenager and it made a big impression. I used to drive the snowmobile for people we support. I noticed someone in the hall the other day that I remember from way back then (30 yrs ago!). Marielle Gange if you’re reading this, shout out to you.
I’ve stayed connected to this community through the years because of the person I support. Also, working for Inclusion Winnipeg in the past, I saw the advocacy side of things and all the work there. Since fundraising is my forte, all these things came together and I’m grateful to be here.
SF: Well we are happy to welcome you! Anyone else you want to give a shout out to?
TD: My team, they are incredible and working so hard to make connections, raise money etc. They have gone out of their way to help me, take on stuff for continuity and they rise to every occasion. Huge shout out to them!
SF: What would you like people to know about you?
TD: I’m genuinely a person who cares, and I love people. I love learning about what interests them and what they value. People often need alone time to recharge but I recharge by being around other people. I look for the humanity in every situation. The human in me recognizes the human in you and my door is always open.
I’m also an avid outdoors person. Camping Is my life. My daughter and I do a 1000 hour outdoor challenge – equates to about three hours a day spent outdoors. Winter is tough but if you can’t beat it, join it lol. Ski pants and hand warms are key. There are so many fun things going on. Even a river walk is just amazing and I encourage people to do that. I love new perspective and to see things in different ways. I love adventure. I’m always up for a new experience. I have a magpie tattoo based on a Neko Case song (Magpie to the Morning) that represents ‘don’t let this fading summer pass you by.’ So that’s my motto.
SF: Okay, final question: what’s your question for the group?
TD: What’s a hobby in your personal life that you’d would like to share here so people get to know a different side of you? Everyone has a secret talent!
For instance, in a whole other life I’m a fire dancer, I’ve travelled around Canada to perform. So my secret talent is that and I want to know what other peoples’ fun, different, or weird hobby is.
SF: Great question! That should bring up some fun answers! Thank you so much for the chat!
TD: My pleasure!
