Michael Salem is The Foundation’s Senior Manager of Communications and Creative Services. His responsibilities include creative design, implementation and management of a range of on-line & off-line communication activities that promote The Foundation as a leading community granting organization in Oakville.
Born and raised in Oakville, Michael attended Thomas A. Blakelock High School and graduated from Iroquois Ridge High School. His educational background is varied; he attended Douglas College in British Columbia where he obtained a General Arts Diploma. He then attended Humber College receiving both a post-graduate diploma in Journalism, Print and Broadcast and then a professional certificate in media copywriting. He is currently working on obtaining his Bachelor of Professional Arts in Communication Studies from Athabasca University.
Michael has held a variety of positions over the length of his career, including as a copywriter, an account executive and a communications and marketing officer.
As for why he ended up in the non-profit sector, Michael said, “It chose me. I read an ad in Marketing Magazine for a Communications Officer role at the Toronto Foundation and thought, I guess I could work for a foundation. I stayed because of the variety of fun projects I get to work on. I have the attention span of a goldfish and the day-to-day is never the same at the Foundation.”
In the future, Michael sees himself as dipping his toes in a variety of different career paths including: elected office of some sort, a travel writer or photographer and a personal trainer.
Michael currently resides in Oakville with his fiancée Mary. They are both busily planning their wedding which will take place
in November 2023.
Outside of the office, you can find Michael practicing Brazilian Jiujitsu (did you know he’s a gold medal tournament winner?), training for his first Marathon in May and trying different coffee shops all around the GTA. Michael’s favourite TV show is Doctor Who, his favourite book is The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Heminghway and he is indecisive about his favourite movie.
Michael brings a great sense of humor to any task and his sharp-dressing style always attracts attention. If you ever email Michael, make sure you check for the special quote he includes at the end. We can’t wait for you to see everything he creates in 2022!
