"Everyone has something to bring": An invitation to join the Rise board

Rise is growing in a lot of directions right now: strengthening our partnerships, building toward a permanent home, and investing in the tools that help us serve more Calgarians. We're growing our board of directors, too. We sat down with Ameera Shivji, a Rise board member and communications strategist at the City of Calgary, to talk about what drew her to Rise, what's surprised her, and what she'd say to anyone wondering whether board service is for them.

You've said you were drawn to Rise precisely because it wasn't a big, established organization — that there was something about being hands-on and close to the impact. What appealed to you about that?

I was drawn to Rise because it operates locally and is closely connected to the community it serves. I like that the organization is thoughtful about how it uses its resources and focused on putting funding where it can have the greatest impact. An impressive lobby is lovely, of course, but what really matters to me is the work happening beyond it. Rise is also at a stage where there's a genuine opportunity to roll up your sleeves, contribute, and see the difference your involvement can make.

What surprised you the most since joining?

Honestly, I've been surprised by just how talented and innovative the team is. There's so much creativity, expertise, and genuine commitment around the table, but what stands out most is how deeply Rise values lived experience. The people the organization serves aren't treated as an afterthought — they're respected, listened to, and kept at the centre of the work. Our board includes people with backgrounds in education, social work, law, and accounting, to name just a few, so we're always learning from one another's experiences and perspectives. It's a great way to expand your network — and thankfully, they're all lovely people to spend a two-hour meeting with!

You have a demanding career. Realistically, what does the time commitment look like?

Yes, life is busy, especially at this time of year with two kids and a full-time job. The core commitment is one board meeting every quarter, which is very manageable. If you join a committee, there are a few additional meetings, but it's not a second full-time job in disguise. You can contribute meaningfully while still balancing your career, family, and everything else competing for space in your calendar.

Rise is at a real turning point right now: the campaign, strengthening relationships with post-secondaries, and working toward a permanent home. What makes this a compelling moment to be involved?

Affordability is front and centre right now, so Rise's work feels especially relevant. There's a real opportunity to collaborate on policy-related solutions and practical approaches that can lead to action. At the same time, Rise is building the foundation for its next chapter. That's a huge opportunity and, of course, a healthy-sized challenge — but it means new board members can help shape where the organization goes from here.

For someone who's wondering whether they've got something worth offering — what would you say to them?

I really believe everyone has something they can bring to a board. My background is in communications, but there are so many ways to contribute your strengths while supporting an amazing community organization. Experience in areas like human resources, finance, IT, governance, or the non-profit sector can add tremendous value and broaden the board's collective skill set. You may also have a network that can be leveraged for skill sets we're still missing. You don't need to arrive knowing everything — that would make for a very intimidating board meeting. You just need to be willing to contribute, learn, and share what you know. It's also a great opportunity to strengthen your own leadership skills and collaborate with some very talented people.

Interested in joining the Rise board?

Rise is growing its board of directors, and we'd love to hear from people ready to help shape our next chapter. We're especially interested in experience in governance, finance, fund development, human resources, law, and technology — but as Ameera says, everyone has something to bring.

Fill out the form here if this is something that interests you.