Founder, One Day’s Pay

The importance of giving was instilled in Josh by his mother (now deceased) while he grew up in New Zealand. She often gave her time and talent selflessly to older folks and people with disabilities. Not always open to these lessons as a teen and young adult, something must have stuck, as he now strives to give of his time, talent, and donations, in areas he feels passionate about. “Most of our childhood, Mum didn’t have money to give to others, but she sure made up for it in giving her time, talent, and love.” 

Employed by the City of Vancouver for the last 10 years, until a couple of years ago Josh was a Community Youth Worker for the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. His work there involved creating safe spaces for young people in community centres and working with youth from diverse backgrounds.

He now works with Engineering Services at the City. In his spare time, Josh contributes his the non-profit ChopSwap, and before COVID, was a regular helper with PeaceMeal. He gives financially to Employ to Empower and works with Who Gives a Brick to provide used Lego to children who are less privileged and organizations that work with kids. 

The idea for One Day’s Pay came out of the frustration Josh felt for how Indigenous Peoples are treated in Canada, in particular the disconnect in creating a federal statutory holiday that would not directly benefit those for whom the day is meant to recognise – Indigenous Peoples. This discomfort with inequity started long before, upon hearing about boil water advisories in remote Indigenous communities, and before that, his own experiences growing up in New Zealand alongside Maori friends and classmates.

In describing himself and One Day’s Pay, Josh explains, “I’m someone who had an idea that might make a difference if business leaders and regular Canadians get on board. I hope to create a groundswell of support. I was lucky enough to have some amazing friends who saw the potential impact in One Day’s Pay and so we ran with it. 100% team effort.”

CEO, The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada

Kris Archie, a Secwepemc and Seme7 woman from the Ts’qescen First Nation, is passionate about heart-based community work and facilitating positive change. Kris is the Chief Executive Officer of The Circle. In all of her roles, Kris works to transform philanthropy and contribute to positive change by creating spaces of learning, relationship-building and activation.