“Our greatest asset is our people.”
About Groundwork
Groundwork is a full-service social innovation agency created to service and support capacity building through innovative and collaborative approaches.
As an agency that operates with an equity for all lens we are proud to work with a diverse team of specialists with decades of combined professional expertise and lived-experience. In an effort to meet the ever evolving needs of our clients and our partners our roster includes experts in community engagement, facilitation, education, research, data analysis, communications, marketing, film, project management, social media, and film.
We are teachers and students; artists and curators; dreamers and doers - true philanthropists with the mission of laying the groundwork, helping to create positive change for an equitable future.
Pride in where we ‘re from
Groundwork is located in the beautiful Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia’s rural centre of innovation and culture and the land of orchards, vineyards and tides. With a population that has had to overcome and lead the way with fewer resources and an astounding amount of resilience - Nova Scotians are powerful in their diversity and are ready, willing and able to advocate, innovate, and persevere.
“I have seen first-hand that with collaboration and resource sharing, anything is possible in our small but mighty province.” ~ Jessica Ward, CEO
Initially dreamt of as a side project, Groundwork was built on our CEO’s belief in multi-solving as a way of sustainably building capacity within communities, and eliminating barriers through education, awareness and social innovation.
Our Commitments
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Integrity
We are trustworthy, transparent and fair. We honour diversity with dignity and empathy. We value each and everyone as an individual.
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Collaboration
We believe we are better together. We include and acknowledge first-voice and lived experience in all of our work. We contribute to a culture of ongoing learning and development.
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Accountability
We create safe spaces. We commit to psychological, social, cultural, physical and environmental safety. We accept responsibility for our actions. We have the courage to speak up.
Having worked diligently to become an expert in accessibility and inclusion over the past decade, Jessica’s work, and leadership has brought endless benefits to the communities and businesses she has served.
As a multi-solver she thrives in project and operational management, and new business development. She is passionate about community engagement and the opportunities it provides to hear lived-experience. Building relationships with community members, businesses and government agencies is extremely important to her, gaining and maintaining a communities trust, she says, “is how we create space for true impact to happen”.
As a CEO she is tenacious, and leads by being on the ground floor getting her hands dirty and putting in the work. For our clients, she is and will always be that consistent face that you can reach out to with questions, concerns and to explore possibilities with.
Jessica has an extensive background as an entrepreneur and event planner; understanding first-hand the need to make money while also growing your client base and your business. She understands how hectic things can get and the tall task of managing many moving pieces.
As a mother of children with disabilities and as someone who identifies with having an invisible disability, she offers a first-person voice to the conversation. From small business to NGOs, her management skills have been sharpened along the way and she is thrilled to be creating an accessible, inclusive and equitable community through Groundwork, one collaboration at a time.
Meet our Founder, Jessica Ward
Want to learn her-story? Check out her first blog post!
Looking to grow or make a change?
Finding it difficult to put plans into action? Do you need support in finishing a project? Let’s talk about how we can help move your plans forward.