David Dunnem
"He attacked everything in life with a mix of extraordinary genius and naïve incompetence, and it was often difficult to tell which was which.”
― Douglas Adams
About me
When I was a kid - growing up in a middle-class family, in the middle of the 1970s - parents dished out a familiar plate of advice to their children: Get good grades, go to college, and pursue a profession that offers a decent standard of living and perhaps a dollop of prestige...thinking that success was spelled MBA.
But a funny thing happened while we were pressing our noses to the grindstone: The world changed. The future no longer belongs to people who can reason with computer-like logic, speed, and precision. It belongs to a different kind of person with a different kind of mind.
Until recently, the abilities that led to success in school, work, and business were characteristic of the left hemisphere. They were the sorts of linear, logical, analytical talents measured by SATs and deployed by CPAs. Today, those capabilities are still necessary. But they're no longer sufficient. In a world upended by outsourcing, deluged with data, and choked with choices, the abilities that matter most are now closer in spirit to the specialties of the right hemisphere - artistry, empathy, seeing the big picture, and pursuing the transcendent.
*Reprinted without permission: Daniel Pink WIRED magazine
My Skills
LEADERSHIP
A progressive leader who believes in empowering my team to innovate and excel. I believe in employing a Leadership/Followership model to inspire, educate and outfit staff for success. I feel my leadership skills straddle the line between collaboration and curiosity. More than anything your team should be excited about what they are doing and knowing they have a leader who will support them and help them to succeed is invaluable.
TECHNOLOGY
Dynamic and strategic thinker, adept at developing and implementing relevant cutting-edge solutions for a wide variety of business functions, including project management, resource distribution, and process development. Adept at troubleshooting information systems and providing quality assurance and IT support. Strong leader with exceptional communication and team-building skills with experience training and managing a team of IT professionals in a large office setting. Committed to supporting innovation on all tiers of the project.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Skilled project manager with years of exemplary service in diverse IT roles. Passionate about utilizing my knowledge and skills to lead technical staff and manage projects. Expert in several project management software and database user interface software programs. Varied experience, including transition programs, administrative roles, and serving as a liaison between technical and business staff.
FINANCE & OPERATIONS
With a diverse background of experience to draw from, I help companies navigate change and prepare for transformation. Highly skilled in managing operational duties, including an operations role to manage diverse support teams. Strong, professional expertise and superior communication skills . Previously led teams ranging in size from 25 to 150. Creating and Balancing an $14M annual budget during COVID-19 is a testament to the value of diverse and progressive finance skills.
INNOVATION
Having worked in IT for more than two decades and working with computers since I was eight years old has honed my innovation itch. That's what it is, an itch to improve or repair. I had the opportunity to work with GreenHouse and St. Paul's University forming the Catalyst Group with KidsAbility. Together we founded solutions for many community needs.
Work Experience
Director, Corporate Supports
Carizon Family & Community Services / July 2019 - March 2021
As Director of Corporate Supports I was a member of the Executive Team and had strategic and operational accountability for all Finance, Facilities and Information Technology departments of this $14M annual budget agency. In my time with Carizon we completed a multi-million dollar sale and purchase of properties as well as projects to improve and upgrade the new property. Assisted in mitigating the impact of Covid-19 from a financial and strategic perspective our Finance team and CEO showed the agility necessary to update policies and procedures to ensure continued service delivery.
IT Operations Manager
KidsAbility / June 2014 - Jul 2019
Facilitating technology in the community by leading projects such as the vulnerablepersonsregistry.ca and familcompasswr.ca as well as partnering with GreenHouse Labs and Ontario Centre of Excellence to bring solutions to clients/families and the community.
Technical Project Manager
KidsLINK / Aug 2011 - June 2014
Managed the Development, Implementation and Support of Systems and Networks within the agency and partner agencies within the collaborative.
Technical Resource Administrator
AMDSB / Nov 2010 - Aug 2011
TRAs provide support the Avon Maitland District School Board's library and computer labs. I was able to support early computer learning for many students by sharing my enthusiasm for technology and also for my advocacy in youth empowerment.
Director of Information Technology
Dimensions / October 2021 - Current
As a start-up Dimensions offers the unique opportunity to build from the ground up a progressive network that supports remote support/access/management and collaboration. Capitalizing on my background in innovation through technology we are building systems to support the guest experience while minimizing complexity and simplifying access.
Director, Finance and Corporate Services
ONE CARE / March 2021 - October 2021
Leading the Finance, Facilities and IT teams at this $12.5M annual budget agency I was able to introduce many efficiencies in my short tenure with ONE CARE. Structuring several overdue projects included creating a budget for much needed upgrades, designing the project plan, negotiating the contracts and hiring the staff to support the implementation in my absence. If I am doing my job well you almost don't notice the work I am doing.
Certificates
McMaster University:
IT Project Management Certificate
Wilfrid Laurier University:
Fundamentals of (NGO)Management
Fundamentals of (NGO)Human Resource
Microsoft Certified IT Professional :
Public Services Health and Safety Association:
Health and Safety Level II Certified Member (Acute Care Specific)
Waterloo Regional Police Services Community Focused Award - vulnerablepersonsregistry.ca
Wall Street Journal Award for outstanding academic achievement and interest in Applied Management
2006 Time Magazine's Person of the Year
Awards
Education
University of Waterloo:
Disney University:
Mouster's in Business Applications
Ducktorate in Management, Disney Style
David is one of those rare professionals who can speak the client's language! He understands the needs of the client and can express what needs to be done as a mutually invested partner. While David and I worked together, he brought in enormous improvements within the overall technology systems, processes and procedures. He did this within a budget that was virtually nonexistent! I highly recommend David and would welcome an opportunity to work with him in the future."
Terry Smith
CFO - KidsLINK