Sophia Horwitz

Sophia Horwitz is a community builder, and sustainability practitioner and facilitator, who is passionate about increasing the capacity of individuals, communities and organizations to contribute to a flourishing future.  Sophia has 14 years of experience leading civic and social innovation initiatives and transformative collaborative processes in Canada, Cuba, Honduras, Japan, Denmark, and Sweden. Her international background and experience help bring a global perspective and best practices to granular issues. 

She is a partner and co-founder of Halifax-based COLAB, where she has helped launch programs, projects and organizations such as Mainstreets, Art of Social Innovation, Participatory Budgeting, Placemaking Halifax and cross Canada Placemaking research and network development. Her wide-ranging roles have included acting as Sustainability Officer in Honduras to ambassador of North America in Japan’s rebuilding efforts post-2011 tsunami. Her recent work includes bringing the Participatory City initiative from the UK to a number of cities in Canada.  In her free time, you can find Sophia swimming at a lake, walking in the forest, chasing her toddler through streams, or dancing with her movement troupe.