Meet Tim Cormode | Founder and Change Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tim Cormode and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tim, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind our success is living by the value of gratitude. We never put our feet up and take things for granted.

We are always thankful for what we have the relationships we have built.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Tim Cormode began his social impact career as the Founder and CEO of Power To Be. Wanting to combine his love for the outdoors with his social work experience, Tim launched Power To Be 24 years ago with a simple yet powerful idea: Imagine the impact nature can have on youth and families living with a barrier. Barriers included autism spectrum disorders; acquired brain injuries; hearing impairments; life-threatening illnesses; developmental, cognitive, or physical disabilities; and at-risk youth struggling in school.

Power To Be has become a social sector change leader that provides exceptional experiences in nature and supports access for all. They inspire their participants to see beyond their limits to explore what’s possible. They believe the world is a better place when everyone thrives and feels like they belong. They remain confidently optimistic, adventurously brave, instinctively creative, humbly grateful, and disarmingly human.

During his 24 years at Power To Be, Tim began to see the ways in which the relationship between social impact organizations and philanthropy was unnecessarily burdensome. As a result, the Power To Give Foundation was founded six years ago with a mandate to ignite visionary possibility in the social impact sector – rekindling belief with philanthropists, honourable change-makers, and deserving communities to pursue bold endeavours together.

In keeping with his passions, some of Tim’s most impressive pursuits include climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, and travelling to support Haiti relief. In 2015 he Received the BC Community Achievement Award. In 2020, Tim was inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame for his considerable contributions in the world of youth and families with barriers.

Tim lives in Victoria, BC with his lovely wife Brie, daughters Georgia, new baby Grace and golden retriever Fynn. When he is not with family or at work, he can usually be found on some adventure, doing what he loves best: living life to its fullest.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would take a float plane up to the Great Bear Rainforest and spend time in various remote communities seeing the beauty meeting the people and having an adventure

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The Book Forced for Good Kevin Starr from the Mulago Foundation
Dan Pollatta
The Annual Foundation

Website: www.powertogive.ca