Tania Walsh

Director

When I first moved to Guelph, I joined Up and Running as a way to meet new people, make exercise a regular part of my life and take better care of my mental health. What I found was so much more than a walking and running program. It was a welcoming community where something as simple as getting outside and moving together could make a real difference.

Joining the board felt like a natural next step and a chance to give back to an organization that had made a difference in my own life. I love that Up and Running's approach is simple, effective and genuinely human. Those are qualities I value in my own work and in how I connect with others.

Professionally, I've spent more than 20 years working in communications, strategy and organizational change. Much of my work is about bringing people together, making complicated things easier to understand and turning good ideas into action.

Building strong, inclusive communities has always been important to me. I've been involved in diversity, inclusion and reconciliation initiatives, and previously helped start a neighbourhood group that worked with the City of Toronto to revitalize a local park.

I'm excited to bring my experience and perspective as both a participant and a board member to help more people discover the benefits of movement, connection and being part of a supportive community.