"A young person may never know that a conversation between two not-for-profit leaders helped create a partnership, and they won't ever know that a connection opened a new door or a new resource. But they experience the result of it." — Lisa McIntosh, Executive Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area
Leading a not-for-profit "can sometimes be a really isolating job," says Lisa McIntosh, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area. Every day brings decisions made with limited resources, while balancing the needs of staff, board, funders, the people you serve, and the broader community.
That's why Lisa values being able to pick up the phone and ask another leader, "How are you approaching this?" It's a simple idea, and it's the same one at the heart of Big Brothers Big Sisters: everyone deserves someone in their corner.
Someone in Their Corner
For more than 50 years, the organization has been built on the belief that every young person should have someone who believes in them. Through community-based and in-school programs, it matches children and youth with caring, trained adult volunteers. Mentors offer consistency, encouragement, guidance, and a safe relationship where young people can be themselves, build confidence, develop skills, and feel a stronger sense of belonging.
"We believe that mentoring is prevention," Lisa says. Investing in supportive relationships early helps young people build resilience and the protective factors they need to navigate challenges and thrive.
Her career has followed the same thread, beginning at Childreach and continuing at Roots of Empathy before she arrived at Big Brothers Big Sisters about a year and a half ago. "I've seen again and again the lasting change that happens through relationships." Now confirmed as permanent executive director, she calls the experience "stupendous."
Not Navigating It Alone
Pillar has been part of that career from the start. Since her Childreach days, Lisa has taken part in Pillar's emerging leaders groups, ED/CEO Support Network, and other learning and development programs, which have given her a space to share honestly and learn from people in similar leadership chairs.
"Sometimes the most helpful thing isn't actually having somebody give you the answer," she says. "It's just realizing that someone else has faced something similar... and that we are not navigating it alone."
A Moment to Celebrate
In 2025, the organization received the Business Achievement Award in the Nonprofit category. Lisa credits Pillar as "a tremendous support" throughout the process, helping the team recognize and articulate the impact of its work. The award came during a period of significant change, giving staff a chance to pause and celebrate what they had accomplished together. It also led to new connections with people interested in mentoring, supporting the organization, or partnering with it.
Lisa is clear that the award belongs to everyone: staff, volunteers, mentors, board, donors, and partners. "It's hard work to serve young people on a small budget," she says. To her, the award also reflects what Pillar does well. "Pillar doesn't simply connect organizations. Pillar helps us to see the strengths in one another, and create opportunities for those strengths to be recognized and shared with the broader community."
Stronger Relationships
Because mentors and young people often come from different backgrounds, an equity, diversity, and inclusion audit and professional development through Pillar has been especially valuable. Mariam and Blair led learning for staff, board, and mentors on creating more inclusive and equitable experiences for young people and families. "We want to make sure that our volunteers and our organization have the awareness and tools to support those relationships respectfully and effectively," Lisa says. Pillar didn't provide a one-time training and walked away. The audit's suggestions continue to guide the organization.
What Becomes Possible
Those connections ripple outward. They help the organization learn about emerging needs, find partners, and strengthen how it delivers mentoring, which means more young people can access meaningful relationships. A child may never see the conversation that made it possible, but they feel the result. "The connection itself isn't the end goal," Lisa says. "The goal is what becomes possible because we are connected."
Asked what she'd say to the network as Pillar turns 25, Lisa keeps it simple: "Thank you for believing that we are stronger together."
Every young person deserves someone in their corner. So, it turns out, does every leader.
Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area: https://london.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/
