Nora Sobolov

Biography

For over 30 years Nora Sobolov (MSW, LLM) has been a leader, coach and founder in the non-profit, cooperative, social finance and social enterprise space in Canada and internationally.

Nora Sobolov has dedicated her career to tackling complex problems and engaging with communities, businesses, organizations and governments to craft practical, equitable and sustainable solutions. She has spearheaded the creation and financing of new businesses and programs designed to fill critical gaps. These include:

• Development of a program to support young leaders of color to expand wealth building opportunities for community entrepreneurs
• Pathways to good jobs for people without a college degree or who have been in conflict with the law
• Creation of a Canadian social finance loan fund for non-profits and supporting non-profits to achieve financial health
• As CEO and VP of the Canadian cooperative and credit union systems, helping to craft new federal and provincial legislation to expand cooperatives and credit unions
• A national respiratory health strategy and action plan
• Creating new non-profit and cooperative housing models

All of her work has used research and data as tools for community participation, successful design and to measure impact. She has advised governments at all levels in Canada on a range of social issues. And, as a coach, mentor, CEO and board member, she has helped a number of businesses and organizations restructure, grow and find philanthropic support and investment.