Impact and community are at the epicentre of everything we do and we're proud to serve our Canadian Indigenous communities.
Chad and Nick, rooted in the territories of the Kwikwetlem, Musqueam, Squamish, Stó:lō and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, dreamt of fostering a nationwide sense of community from a young ages of 9 and 10, where they met at Pleasantside Elementary in Port Moody, British Columbia and became lifelong best friends.
Chad devoted a decade to socio-economic development, bridging partnerships across Indigenous communities, non-profits and governmental realms. Simultaneously, Nick channeled his energies into entrepreneurship, amassing over $100 million in funding across fields like sustainability, tech, and health research.
Combining their expertise, they established Unify Partners, focused on pooling funding and creating impactful partnerships across sectors. At Unify, we're action-oriented. If you aim for growth or impactful change, connect with us; we're eager to collaborate.
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The foundation of our commitment to driving inclusive partnerships.
With a decade in socio-economic development and a Master's in Public Policy from UBC, excels at in Indigenous relations, Grant Writing and Strategic Planning.
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Chad Rickaby's journey in community socio-economic development spans over a decade, with a distinct footprint both globally and locally. He's co-founded a registered vocational training charity and graced the board of one of BC's leading non-profits, PLEA Community Services. With a rich history of securing pivotal grants for non-profits and deep collaborations with Indigenous organizations, Chad offers a comprehensive perspective on best practices and growth dynamics for social ventures.
His academic prowess is reflected in a Masters in Public Policy and Global Affairs from the University of British Columbia, further enriched by diverse certifications highlighting his dedication to community development and relations.
At Unify Partners, Chad's skills manifest brilliantly in Grant Writing, Impact Assessments, Strategic Planning, Social Enterprise Development, and Stakeholder Engagement. Each day, he's driven by an ambition to revolutionize traditional paradigms and catalyze authentic change.
When not immersed in work, Chad's wanderlust leads him on global adventures. He deeply values moments hiking with Jaxon and soaking in the natural beauty of British Columbia alongside Zameena.
While the world offers countless experiences, some of his fondest memories are those shared with lifelong friend Nick Findler (ClimateDoor’s other Co-Founder) from the age of 9 & 10, during their countless mini hockey games in the very basement of Chad's mother's Port Moody home, where she continues to reside.
Advancing funding for Non-Profits and Indigenous communities, leveraging over $100M in financing
Nick Findler's entrepreneurial spirit is fueled by an unwavering curiosity and a passion for crafting ventures that leave a lasting impact. His role at Unify Partners is a testament to this drive, as he ardently strives to usher funds toward Non-Profits and First Nations communities in Canada. While spearheading a diverse venture portfolio, Nick's influence extends beyond capital, having secured over $100M in global financing and often stepping into advisory roles to guide CEOs through their growth trajectories.
Nick's recent dive into the neuroscience of human connection has reshaped his approach at Unify, solidifying his belief in the power of relationships and their potential to bring about transformative change. For him, every initiative transcends mere business metrics; it's about human connections, growth, and enacting genuine positive shifts.
A connection that stands out in his journey is his childhood friendship with Chad Rickaby (Unify’s other Co-Founder). From the age of 9 & 10, their bond grew over countless sleepovers and spirited mini hockey matches in Chad's mother's basement in Port Moody, BC – a sanctuary of memories that remains unchanged to this day.
Leverages her deep cross-sector experience and education in Political Science and Economic Policy to bring prosperity to Indigenous communities and NPOs
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Kaelin is the Director of Community Growth at Unify Partners; she has worked across multiple sectors, consulting for organizations such as NASA and Homeland Security before embarking on a career in technology as Lululemon’s youngest Product Manager and subsequently heading to the Bay Area to scale sustainability and B2C / B2B startups.
Kaelin is a self described “policy nerd,” holding a BA from the University of British Columbia in Honours Political Science and an MSc with distinction from the London School of Economics in Political Science and Economic Policy. Kaelin’s education and deep experience across multiple sectors has lent her a keen eye for development and impact, which she pairs with a strong passion for community.
She is driven by passion and grit and is a firm believer in driving impact by doing. Kaelin spends her free time in the mountains of BC with her dog Stinson, mountain biking and skiing (she’s almost as fast as Stinson!)
With roles at the Spanish Red Cross, UNICEF, and Six-Degrees, utilizes her global experience and academic prowess in Geography and Climate Science
Elena's professional trajectory is both diverse and impactful. From her invaluable contributions at non-profits like the Spanish Red Cross and UNICEF to her strategic role at the Oxford think tank Six-Degrees, Elena's expertise is evident. Her work has taken her across continents, collaborating with multifaceted teams in Europe, Africa, and North America.
With a First-Class Honors in Geography from the University of Oxford and an ongoing Masters at the University of British Columbia, Elena's academic accomplishments set her apart. Her core strengths at UnifyPartners encompass quantitative research methods, statistical analysis, grant writing, and an enriched understanding of climate science and finance.
Elena finds her motivation in fostering community-driven initiatives and research at Unify Partners. Rooted in her experiences with nonprofits, she champions the idea that equipped organizations can spearhead lasting community change.
In her leisure time, Elena is a passionate language enthusiast. Having mastered Italian, she's now embracing the challenges of Mongolian!
fostering collaborative relationships and facilitating meaningful engagement between Indigenous communities and external stakeholders to promote cultural preservation, sustainable development, and equitable decision-making.
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As an Indigenous Partnership Lead at Unify Partners, Jennifer fosters relationships, her background and ways of knowing to create collaborations to facilitate meaningful partnerships between Indigenous communities, businesses, and government entities, fostering sustainable economic development and cultural preservation within the clean economy sector.
Previously, Jennifer honed her critical thinking and management skills as a Research Assistant at the University of Toronto's Macdonald Social Psychology Research Laboratory and as a Community Leader at the University of Victoria. As a Marketing Strategist at Foundation Squamish CDJR, she amplified the company's digital presence and rebranded its image.
Armed with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a Business minor from the University of Victoria, Jennifer merges her academic knowledge with her rich professional experience to drive funding for businesses in the clean economy.
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