Description
About Diabetes Canada
A world free of the effects of diabetes is our vision. That’s why we’re working together to improve the quality of life of people living with diabetes. We’re sharing knowledge and creating connections for individuals and the healthcare professionals who care for them; advocating through public policy; working to tackle the stigma associated with diabetes, and funding research to improve treatments and finding a cure to end diabetes.
Diabetes Canada is currently looking for four Directors with experience in adult endocrinology, primary diabetes healthcare provision, human resources and legal practice.
While not required, Diabetes Canada is interested in candidates who have a personal connection to diabetes and/or have engaged with our organization in the past in other capacities.
For these roles, Diabetes Canada will give strong consideration to individuals who are Indigenous or come with lived experience in the Black, South Asian, or Chinese communities. Additionally, preference will be given to candidates who are based in Western Canada. This preference reflects current and upcoming gaps in the composition of the Board of Directors based on its commitment to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity & Accessibility (IDEA) including geographic diversity.
These roles are for an initial three-year term, beginning April 2027, with the possibility of renewal for an additional three years.
In addition to the four Director positions, there is one additional opportunity available for interested and qualified individuals to serve as a Community Committee Member on the People & Culture Committee for a two-year term beginning April 2027, with the possibility of renewal. This individual will be an experienced Human Resources executive, ideally with a personal connection to diabetes. Committee members are full voting members of the Committee but are not Board Directors. They can be considered for future Director openings. If you are interested in being considered for a role as a People & Culture Community Member, please follow the application process outlined below and indicate you are interested in the P&C Community Committee volunteer role.
Our Vision and Mission
Vision: A world free of the effects of diabetes.
Winning Aspiration: To improve the quality of life of those living with diabetes.
Our Values
Diabetes Canada is guided by five values (ACE-IT) which are embedded in all that we do:
- Agility
- Collaboration
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Taking initiative
Our Work
To fulfill its vision and aspiration, Diabetes Canada concentrates its work on six key areas:
- Being the trusted provider of knowledge to people with diabetes and their frontline healthcare providers
- “Changing the Conversation” around diabetes, especially stigma and misinformation
- Learning from & supporting initiatives to improve the quality of life of people living with diabetes in Indigenous and other high-prevalence communities
- Funding research that advances knowledge & solutions that address issues identified by the diabetes community
- Advocating for policies that address affordability, accessibility and equity in diabetes treatment and care both nationwide and in all provinces and territories
- Connecting people with diabetes to peers and communities to improve diabetes self-care and wellbeing
Our Governance: The Board of Directors
The role of the Board of Directors is to govern and oversee the strategic affairs of Diabetes Canada.
The Board includes 14 Directors regionally dispersed across Canada.
Board in person meetings are held quarterly (a mix, generally, of two virtual and two in person meetings) with videoconferences as required. Board Directors are required to attend all Board meetings and must sit on at least one Board Committee. There are five standing Board Committees as well as an Executive Committee. From time to time, the Board may create time-limited Task Forces with clear terms of reference and deliverables.
Diabetes Canada Board members are expected to govern in the best interests of Diabetes Canada and make decisions that will be informed by regional/community, specialty, skills, and other experience. Each Board member is then individually responsible for making decisions as a Diabetes Canada Board member – not representing or negotiating on behalf of a constituency.
Director Qualifications
As a community and/or professional leader, you seek to volunteer with an organization committed to enhancing the lives of those affected by diabetes and those at risk of diabetes. You understand, perhaps from personal experience, the impact that diabetes has on the individual. With the combination of your personal commitment and your professional expertise, you can help lead Diabetes Canada as it embraces the increasing demand for better health outcomes for those living with diabetes.
Diabetes Canada is currently looking for four individuals with experience in one of the following disciplines:
- Adult endocrinology
- Diabetes related primary healthcare provider
- Lawyer
- Human resources executive
Beyond these skills and professions, Diabetes Canada is looking for individuals with:
- Experience and ability for broad based thinking and contribution to all aspects of Diabetes Canada Board work and considerations.
- A good understanding of Board Governance that can help support the President & CEO and through him/her, the executive team of the organization.
- Willingness to act as an ambassador for the cause and reach out to your professional and personal networks to enlist support.
In addition, four other considerations are important in identifying a new Director:
- Not-For-Profit Experience – Understands the challenges involved in working with volunteer Boards, particularly a Health Charity. Can work within a structure where power is often held on the periphery; consensus is a way of life; leadership is rooted in an executive’s ability to influence rather than drive critical outcomes.
- Inclusion – Individual whose origins, background and lifestyle provide a link to the communities across Canada that the organization serves.
- Partnerships – Experience in the identification and development of collaborative opportunities for financial and mission delivery gains. Fund raising experiences are sought to enhance the Board’s support of innovative and substantial campaigns.
- Results Orientation – Brings experience to supporting the President & CEO and the executive leadership team in a way that fosters accountability and performance.
Speaking with One Voice
The Board, as represented by individual Board members, speaks with a unified and consistent voice. Positions are generally enunciated by the Chair on behalf of the Board and then supported and represented by Board members publicly as agreed upon by the Board.
In coming to the Board’s decisions, Board members are expected to participate openly and vigorously in Board discussions so that the Board can make the best, most informed decisions and choices. Individual Board members carry many duties and responsibilities in this process, including:
- Duty of Knowledge
- Duty of Care
- Duty of Skill & Prudence
- Duty of Diligence
- Fiduciary Duty
- Duty of Trusteeship
Apply Now:
If you want to be part of a dynamic and innovative health charity, please submit cover letter and a resume highlighting your experience and qualifications including business/ work experience, academic qualifications, experience that would assist the Board, previous Board experience, and previous community and/or volunteer activities.
Please send to governance@diabetes.ca
For further information on Diabetes Canada please see the website.
Application deadline: November 27, 2026
We thank you for your interest in Diabetes Canada.
