Spark Commercialization and Innovation Centre (Spark Centre) is looking for three dynamic leaders with unique expertise to join our Board of Directors
The Opportunity
The Board of Directors is a volunteer Board that provides leadership and support to the organization by committing to excellence in governance and organizational health. All members of the Board have a passion for volunteering and for making a difference in the lives and communities of those served by Spark Centre.
Spark Centre is currently seeking to recruit three energetic business professionals from diverse backgrounds to fill open positions. These individuals will provide strategic guidance and other specific skill sets while collaborating with other members of the Board and its Committees to contribute to the success of the Spark Centre.
Individuals are to be elected by the Spark Board of Directors at the 2025 Annual Meeting in the fall of 2025.
This year’s recruitment focuses on candidates with executive experience or professional designations who bring some, but not necessarily all, of the following skills:
- Not-for-Profit (NFP) Governance — experience serving as a Board member, Committee Chair, or Board Chair, with ICD.D or comparable governance credentials considered an asset.
- Strategic Planning — experience developing, leading, and executing organizational strategic plans, including setting priorities, aligning resources, and measuring progress toward long-term goals.
- Finance & Accounting — experience in fundraising, financial oversight, audit processes, and a strong understanding of not-for-profit business models and funding structures.
- Government Relations— direct experience engaging with federal, provincial, and municipal government bodies, particularly those involved in public funding programs, grant opportunities, and broader economic development initiatives that support the not-for-profit sector.
- Leadership in Key Industry Sectors — including future energy, next-generation mobility, applied digital technology, agri-food, additive manufacturing, medtech, and emerging technologies.
The Spark Centre’s Board of Directors strives to remain focused at a strategic level and adhere to the principles of good governance. Most Directors have deep experience on not-for-profit boards and hold governance designations.
Spark Centre Board Members will be onboarded and meet monthly, and then move to a bi-monthly cadence. Meetings will be held virtually or in person, as set out by the Chair. After a suitable time period to become familiar with Spark’s business, Board Members will be expected to serve as leaders or members of Spark Centre Board Committees on an ongoing basis.
The Board of Directors is elected to a three-year term, which will commence immediately after the adjournment of the 2025 Annual General Meeting.
Spark Centre is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusiveness in all its work. We are committed to ensuring that the composition of its Board of Directors is inclusive and reflects, as much as possible, the diversity of the communities that Spark Centre serves.
To Apply
If you are interested in contributing your expertise to our innovative organization, please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] to the attention of Spark Centre’s Nominating Committee, by August 15, 2025.
About Spark Centre
Spark Centre is a leading Regional Innovation Centre in the Durham Region, dedicated to fostering innovation across the Eastern Ontario Corridor. Our mission is to drive economic growth in our region by fostering a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures collaboration and empowers businesses to thrive.
As a non-profit business incubator, Spark Centre is committed to nurturing and scaling sustainable, globally competitive companies. Our goal is to maximize the long-term success of early-stage and rapidly growing innovation and technology ventures. Situated in the Durham Region, Spark Centre offers a comprehensive range of services, including business advisory support and programming, flexible office spaces, and day-to-day operational assistance. Additionally, through our for-profit subsidiary, Synergy Lab, we provide specialized market entry services for international entrepreneurs seeking to establish their presence in the Eastern Ontario Corridor.
Over our 12+ years of operation, Spark Centre has earned the trust of our funders, partners, and the wider community. We are recognized as a preferred partner for businesses and a valued contributor to regional economic development initiatives.
Governed by a dedicated Board of Directors comprising experts from business, community, and government sectors, Spark Centre operates in compliance with established not-for-profit regulations. Our leadership team, led by an Executive Director, brings together diverse expertise to steer the organization toward continued success.
With robust governance, management, human resources, financial, operational, and IT capabilities, Spark Centre is well-positioned to manage multiple projects and meet complex requirements from various funding sources.
