Tanner Evan Bergsma [they/them]

Rise on Boards+ | Cohort 3

Tanner Bergsma is a multinational social justice activist, author, and community leader committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and systemic change. Based in Ontario, Canada, Tanner currently serves as a Board Member with Peel Cheshire Homes in Brampton, supporting individuals with physical disabilities, and as Co-Chair of the Kitchener 2051 Community Working Group, shaping the city’s long-term vision for sustainable and inclusive growth. He is also the Co-Founder of GlobalMovementGaza, a transnational initiative advocating for human rights and humanitarian relief.

Tanner holds a Microcredential in Board Governance from Conestoga College and brings several years of leadership experience across nonprofit, community, and international platforms. Diagnosed with autism, Tanner’s advocacy is shaped by lived experience, giving him a unique perspective on inclusion, accessibility, and resilience. He approaches leadership with authenticity, integrity, and a solutions-driven mindset, consistently working to amplify underrepresented voices and create spaces where people feel valued and empowered.

Alongside his governance and advocacy roles, Tanner is a TEDx and keynote speaker and an award-winning author, using storytelling as a tool to inspire action and build bridges across communities. His vision is rooted in unity: creating a world where justice, dignity, and compassion guide decision-making at every level.