#sparkchamber 081825 — Lorna Somers
Today is Never Give Up day, which #sparkchamber celebrates by highlighting impact magnet, Lorna Somers. Lorna is the Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Engagement at Mohawk Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Mohawk College. Based in Ontario, Canada, Mohawk College provides “future-ready” certificates, diplomas, degrees, and apprenticeships at undergraduate, graduate, and continuing-education levels across all major business and non-profit sectors. The Foundation supports the College with a vision of “transformation through education,” working with “student success, program support, and sustainability in mind … to introduce dreams to means; to match blueprints with shovels; and, to connect generosity with need.”
Lorna comes ready for the mission. She joined Mohawk College Foundation as Executive Director in August 2022 after 35 years at McMaster University, most recently in the roles of AVP, and Development and Campaign Director. She is recognized internationally as a teacher and facilitator in the fields of Higher Education and Institutional Advancement, speaking at educational, cultural, and charitable organizations around the world. And as an accomplished and successful fundraiser, engaged in securing some of the largest charitable gifts in Canadian history.
Always moving forward, never giving up … a spirit upheld in today’s day of awareness: “Whether it’s a dream, a cause, a relationship, or hope itself — this is the day we honor those who fight, endure, and rise again. From personal battles to global movements, this day is a reminder that perseverance is worth celebrating.”
1.] Where do ideas come from?
Recalling a beloved science kit I requested as a child, I have always felt like a magnet in a world full of iron filings. The answer to what doesn’t trigger ideas is far briefer than what does. The textures, colours, shapes of everything around me in nature and in the built environment. A rusty bit of metal, moss on a tree, the pattern in a carpet, the juxtaposition of unexpected colours. And for off-the-charts inspiration, I go to museums — small, large, obscure, specialized, or quirky. The Seashell Museum in Norfolk. Pitt Rivers. Ireland House.
2.] What is the itch you are scratching?
The need to create is incredibly energizing but challenging, too, when you can’t commit the time, find the space, or have to manage other distractions. I’m profoundly curious and so am never satisfied doing what I already know how to do. I long to learn, expand and refine new sets of skills, and challenge myself because ultimately, I create for myself not others. For the joy I derive personally. The sense of accomplishment. Sometimes, even, the end result!
3.] Early bird or night owl? Tortoise or hare?
My dreams are occupied with making lists of things I want to create, so waking up early, I’m ready to go and feeling powered up from the moment my eyes open. While retaining a very steady and high energy level from 5:30 am onward, by 8 pm, I’m ready for Murder, She Wrote and a box of wine. Done and dusted! I burn a lot of fuel during the day so far more hare than tortoise but ‘twas ever thus and can’t imagine that ever changing.
4.] How do you know when you are done?
I’ve never been done, so I don’t really know. One creation or one idea is the genesis of the next and so the process of discovery continues. Always asking, okay, what’s next?, creates a kind of creation continuum.