Fran Rawlings

With a rich tapestry of professional experiences that intertwine strategy, design thinking, community engagement, and leadership, I am deeply committed to fostering meaningful change through innovative solutions. As the Co-Founder of Method Collective Consulting, I’ve spearheaded diverse projects, blending qualitative and quantitative research methods to make a tangible impact. Notably, our collaboration with the City of Toronto on initiatives such as the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Youth Cultural Incubators Stabilization Initiative demonstrates my dedication to sustainable urban development and community well-being.

Beyond consulting, my passion extends to educating the next generation of thinkers, as a sessional instructor at Sheridan College, focusing on creativity, and as a lead instructor at Miami Ad School, diving deep into strategic processes. My prior roles at Health Commons Lab and Ontario Public Service echo my continued commitment to design for public good, with projects that addressed social isolation, occupational health safety, and energy literacy among others.

I'm also an avid community builder, serving on committees such as the Mobilizing Justice Working Group and Toronto Public Space Committee, and mentoring with the Women’s Economic Council.

As the Co-Founder of Method Collective Consulting, I've specialized in leading strategic foresight and research projects, skillfully blending both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. I have a keen ability to navigate complex problems, from co-leading the Poverty Reduction Strategy with the City of Toronto to supporting Veterans' mental health with Veterans Affairs Canada.

In addition to consulting, my passion for education led me to roles as a Sessional Instructor at Sheridan College and Lead Instructor at Miami Ad School, where I've fostered the development of creative minds and strategic thinkers.

I've held influential positions at Health Commons Lab and the Ontario Public Service. At Health Commons, I worked on vital projects like Neighbours, aimed at alleviating social isolation among older adults. With the Ontario Public Service, my efforts spanned evidence-based policy research to user-research projects, making strides in workplace safety and promoting women in the energy sector.

My foray into the arts as a Producer + Artist showcases my belief in art's power, leading a team in creating an immersive installation at the Toronto Reference Library.

Earlier roles at Samara and MUJER demonstrate my knack for organizational strategy and community engagement. At Samara, I led fundraising strategies that significantly increased donor retention. At MUJER, I championed leadership training and bystander education, managing large teams and budgets.

Backed by an education in Strategic Foresight & Innovation from OCAD University and further studies at Harvard University and the Coady Leadership Institute, I'm fluent in multiple languages and well-versed in grant writing, service design, and project management.

Holding a Master of Design in Strategic Foresight & Innovation from OCAD University, I've specialized in envisioning and designing for future scenarios. Complementing this, I pursued a certificate course in Bioengineering from Harvard University, diversifying my knowledge base. My leadership acumen was further honed at the Coady Leadership Institute at St. Francis Xavier University, where I emerged as a Leadership Fellow.