Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer, Remote/Virtual (British Columbia)
About Self Design Learning Foundation

Self Design Learning Foundation (the “Foundation” or “Self Design”) is a mission-driven, non-profit educational charity serving learners and families across British Columbia through remote, personalized, and inclusive programs. Founded in 1985, Self Design has been recognized for its learner‑centred model of education, which emphasizes self‑agency, curiosity, and holistic development.

With an annual budget of approximately $25 million, funded primarily by the BC Ministry of Education, Self Design supports approximately 2,000 K‑12 learners and their families each year. Self Design does not currently employ staff and is supported by a community of approximately 200 independent contractors, including its leadership team, all of whom work entirely remotely across the province. Self Design does not operate a head office or brick‑and‑mortar locations.

Its primary program, the Self Design Learning Community (SDLC), is a Ministry‑certified independent school, delivered by a geographically dispersed team of educators and contractors. The Foundation also offers Home Learners Network, a guided, online learning space for children and youth to connect with others and dive into their passions; and, Self Design Home Learning, a flexible option for those who wish to homeschool their children.

The Foundation serves as the overarching entity providing strategic direction, innovation, and administrative infrastructure—including finance, IT, communications, procurement, and HR—across its programs.

Strategic Framework

Self Design’s work is guided by its Vision, Mission, Values, and four strategic pillars.

Vision: A world deeply rooted in curiosity, compassion, and learning.

Mission:
We facilitate lifelong learning and holistic personal growth through programs, opportunities, and support for people of all ages, with an emphasis on choice and self‑direction.

Values:
Lifelong learning, Relationships, Innovation, Integrity, Accountability, Quality.

Strategic Pillars:

• Innovate—Explore new opportunities for impact and sustainable growth.
• Engage—Nurture relationships within Self Design and with communities and allies.
• Strengthen—Build on a solid foundation by enhancing programs, systems, and financial sustainability.
• Excel—Use data, research, and best practices to ensure governance, leadership development, and excellence across the organization.

Self Design is seeking a compassionate, values‑aligned, and strategic leader to guide the Foundation through its next chapter, which will emphasize capacity‑building, operational excellence, and innovation through stakeholder and community engagement.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will provide overall leadership across the Foundation and its programs, including the Self Design Learning Community. Despite the CEO title, Self Design, true to its origins as a convention‑testing community of contractors, is not ideally operated through a top‑down corporate decision‑making model. Rather, sustainable strategies are collectively inspired through community engagement.

This is a unique opportunity to lead one of Canada’s most innovative educational organizations at a critical inflection point of renewal, advancing its learner‑centred mission while modernizing systems, strengthening collaboration, and fostering clarity and confidence across its community. The new CEO will take on a dedicated, experienced and values‑driven leadership team and community, including many members who have shepherded the organization through its formative chapters, from rapid growth with its visionary founder, to establishing systems for sustainable growth, accountability, and innovation.

Now, as Self Design has grown beyond a grassroots movement, its opportunity and challenge are to build upon their groundwork to continuously support and add unique value to their community of diverse learners while staying true to their strategic pillars and individualized, student‑centred philosophy.

• Board Relations and Governance
  • Act as the nexus between the Board and Self Design’s…