This document provides an overview of the professional experience and background of an individual through a series of sections describing their work history leading various organizations, areas of specialization, awards received, education, and contact information. They have extensive experience leading both non-profit and social service organizations, and have received several awards recognizing their leadership and community contributions over their career.

1. I can hardly believe it’s been that long.
I’ve been privileged to work with great
organizations, dynamic teams, dedicated
boards, generous funders, and many
others who are passionate about making
the world a fair and inclusive place for
everyone. In the words of FDR : “The test
of progress is not whether we add more to
the abundance of those who have much; it
is whether we provide enough to those
who have little.”
ORGANIZATIONS
I’VE LED
As an executive director, I’ve had a range of
experiences in various health care and social
service organizations working with many people
committed to making the world better.
DAYA COUNSELLING
Subsidized Counselling Services
WESTOVER TREATMENT CENTRE
Residential Addictions Treatment
VANIER CHILDREN’S SERVICES
School, Residences & Community Supports
CENTRE OF HOPE FAMILY HEALTH TEAM
Inner City Primary Care
CREST SUPPORT SERVICES
Residences for Intellectually Disabled Adults
ORGANIZATIONS
I’VE FOUNDED
With lots of help from many fine human
beings, I founded Pillar Nonprofit Network in
2001 and served as its founding board chair
for 7 years. I had big dreams for how the
nonprofit pillar would work with the private
and public pillars to create a stronger
community. Under exceptional board and
team leadership over the years, it now has
over 300 member organizations and
continues to impact the community in
important ways. Since leaving that board, I
have been on the Imagine Canada Board of
Directors (it’s like Pillar nationally).
In the summer of 2014, I was invited back to
Newfoundland to celebrate the 25th
Anniversary of the Boys & Girls Club which I
founded in the community where I lived and
worked for 3 years.
Budget Of The Largest
Organization I Led
I have had the privilege of working with
organizations in start-up, transition and growth.
Some were unionized, some not. The largest
team was 150.
MY BEST 10K TIME
This is also the length of commercials
in a typical one hour TV drama pre-
Netflix. For several years, I had a great
time competing in road races,
marathons and triathlons. My racing
days are over, but I still work out
regularly so that I can eat ice cream
during House of Cards.
P H O T O O F M E
R U N N IN G H IG H
S C H O O L T R A C K
IN M Y B IG H A IR
D A Y S
At provincial
championships that
year, Malcolm Gladwell
(who still has big hair)
won the 1500. He’s
been a winner a few
times since then (The
Tipping Point, Outliers).
LEADERSHIP
COMPETENCIES
These qualities have served me well, but my wife
says they sound pretentious when in print. During
performance reviews, the Sigma Radius tool was
used several times. Of the 42 leadership
competencies, the following consistently come up
in the top 15.
WEDDINGS AND
A FUNERAL
When I first became an executive
director, I also officiated at weddings
and funerals. I witnessed 600
couples say “I Do” and one weekend I
officiated at 4 weddings and a
funeral.
My father inspired me to start giving when I was a teenager
(he still inspires me in lots of ways). The number is high
because I donate plasma so you can give more often than
whole blood. I recently was invited to sit on the National
Liaison Committee of the Board of Directors for Canadian
Blood Services and I’m looking forward to providing input from
a donor perspective.
BLOOD
DONATIONS
These were complete surprises as I guess they should
be. When I finished my years as founding board
chair of Pillar, the organization created an award
called the Willy Van Klooster Nonprofit Board
Governance Scholarship. Free coaching and
consultation is awarded (valued at $5,000) to a
winning nonprofit organization each year. When I
was working in the addictions sector, I was presented
with the President’s Shield award at the AGM of the
provincial association. Finally, I was walking across a
parking lot one afternoon when an off-duty police
officer walked by me and asked, “Can you help me
take this guy down?” Turns out the guy was breaking
into cars. I did what I was asked and, months later,
London Police Services gave me a Citizen Citation
Award.
AWARDS
(PLUS 1 BATMAN
& ROBIN MOMENT)
This is my contact information. It’s what you’ll want to have if you are looking for an experienced leader
in your private, public or nonprofit organization. If your organization wants to make the community
better and you need someone who can provide strong, ethical and accountable leadership, I might be
the person who can keep your organization on track to the finish line.
226-378-3221
willyvanklooster@gmail.com
PLEASE PASS ON THIS INTRODUCTION TO YOUR CONTACTS
CREDITS: The inspiration for this came from Nik Harron, a graphic designer, who created an infographic
as his resume. The gifted graphic designer who brought my resume to life is Matt Horst.
You can’t lead organizations
in the nonprofit world
without getting to know a
lot of government funders
along the way. I’ve worked
closely with:
GOVERNMENT
FUNDERS
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
ONTARIO WORKS
MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY
& SOCIAL SERVICES
EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT CANADA
MINISTRY OF CHILDREN
& YOUTH SERVICES
LOCAL HEALTH
INTEGRATION NETWORKS
AREAS OF
SPECIALIZATION
You really have to be a Jack of all Trades
when leading organizations, but I’ve
found, over the years, that I’m better at
some things than others. I’m good at
Change Management, Strategic Planning,
Community Partnerships, Public
Speaking, Revenue Generation, Outcome
Measurement and Washing Dishes.
The number of times
I’ve been asked to dress
as Darth Vader while
officiating
at a wedding.
Dependability
Independence
Emphasizing
excellence
First
impression
Self-esteem
Motivation
Communication
Vision
CHURCHES
In my first career, I was a Roman
Catholic priest. I led
congregations in 4 churches
before meeting the love of my
life and marrying Deborah 18
years ago. This meant I had to
find a new job.
I coached cross county, swimming and track
over a 20 year period. Although I can take little
credit for her achievements, one of my athletes
is currently the Canadian record holder in the
women’s marathon. What I enjoyed most,
however, was seeing kids, who were not elite
athletes, find new confidence and abilities by
being part of the team. I find my coaching
skills to be very useful with individuals and
teams at work.
HIGH SCHOOL
ATHLETES COACHED
DEGREES
My Bachelor of Arts and Master of
Divinity come from Kings University
College at the University of Western
Ontario.