When Lizzie Song first arrived at Holland Bloorview, she could never have imagined where her career path would lead. A passionate advocate for the arts, Lizzie’s career began in a field that felt more like a calling than a job. She started in the hospital’s music and arts program, where she coordinated projects that brought joy and creativity into the lives of clients and families. Today, Lizzie is an officer for the philanthropy team at the Holland Bloorview Foundation, where she plays a pivotal role in stewarding donors and ensuring their contributions are celebrated and appreciated.
Before joining Holland Bloorview, Lizzie had spent much of her career as a performer at senior’s residences/long-term care across the GTA including at CAMH and working as an arts administrator for theatre companies. However, the transition to the world of children’s health care came with a sense of fate. “When I read the job description, it kind of felt like fate,” Lizzie recalls. Her drive to amplify the voices of marginalized and underrepresented groups felt perfectly aligned with Holland Bloorview’s mission to create a world of possibilities for kids with disabilities.
For Lizzie, the work at Holland Bloorview is personal. “Our clients and families are always my greatest motivator,” she says. Whether it’s seeing a child light up during a music and arts session or hearing about groundbreaking research, Lizzie is constantly inspired by the people she serves and the people she works with.
Lizzie's journey from the arts to philanthropy has shaped her rewarding career at Holland Bloorview, where she blends creativity, stewardship, and leadership to support donors and amplify the hospital’s mission. Read on to learn more about her journey:
Can you briefly tell us about yourself and your role(s) at Holland Bloorview?
I started working at Holland Bloorview in 2022, in the music and arts program as the program administrator and coordinator, moved to the senior coordinator of stewardship in the Foundation and recently moved to officer on the philanthropy team. While I used to organize the music, art and outpatient respite programs, I now coordinate stewardship opportunities for our donors. This includes the donor wall in the atrium at the hospital, naming recognition on plaques and pin lettering around the hospital and events to show gratitude to our donors and board of directors.
What attracted you to work at Holland Bloorview/ foundation?
Before Holland Bloorview, I was working as a performer for seniors in long-term care across the GTA including at CAMH and an arts administrator for various theatre companies. I had never heard of Holland Bloorview, but when I read the job description, it kind of felt like fate. In my arts career, I am motivated to amplify the voices of marginalized and under or mis-represented folks which felt very aligned with the Holland Bloorview mission. And if you’ve had the pleasure to see any of the amazing staff in music and arts program work with a client, you know how impactful, important and magical this work is. It truly revitalized my purpose of making art.
When my contract in music and arts program was coming to an end, a manager shared the job posting in the Foundation. It felt like such a gift that I could continue working at Holland Bloorview while learning different skills in fundraising, stewardship and event coordination. Now, I get to amplify the amazing work that’s done here and thank people for supporting our mission.
How has your career grown here at Holland Bloorview?
As someone who went to school for musical theatre, I did not think I was going to be working in a children’s hospital. However, my career has excelled in ways that feel more gratifying than I ever could imagine. I am always encouraged to use my creative skills to find innovative ways to celebrate donors. Whether it’s supporting a board director’s Capes for Kids campaign, creating videos or organizing events for our donors. I’ve always been passionate about leadership and getting to work closely with the Foundation board of directors and support the amazing leadership team. They have inspired me in my career goals.
Can you share some of the major projects or initiatives you are currently leading?
We just finished a major project “An Evening in the Garden” which is our annual stewardship event for donors and board members. And on September 12, we celebrated the amazing work at Holland Bloorview and honoured the retiring board members. Our guests experienced awesome demonstrations from orthotics and prosthetics, brain computer interface, music SLE and FIRST robotics programs.
Besides looking forward to Capes for Kids and other campaigns, we’re also in the beginning process of a new digital donor wall. This new addition to the hospital will be a transformative tool in stewarding donors and creating awareness of our supporters, programs and events.
What is most challenging about your job?
It’s extremely easy to showcase the world class care we offer, but offering world class hospitality to high level guests can be tricky at times. It’s often a balancing act between a donor’s requests or recognition and the capacity of how our hospital partners can support. Thankfully, my biggest challenge sometimes isn’t a challenge at all when you work with such an amazing team and partner with incredible hospital staff.
You’re also involved in the IDEAA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Anti-Racism) task force. Can you tell us more about your role and how you’re supporting IDEAA initiatives?
I’ve been on the IDEAA task force for about a year now and it’s been an incredible experience and learning opportunity. I sit on the Education, Training & Transformative Practice subcommittee where we are responsible for developing and maintaining resources, training and tools offered to our staff. Recently, we released a Days of Significance calendar overviewing holidays and observances that our staff, clients and families may take part in. This is a great tool for scheduling events, programs or meetings in hopes to be as mindful as possible to all of our colleagues, clients, families and visitors. Now entering my second year on the task force, I’m looking forward to more educational opportunities for staff and understanding how the socio-demographic data of our staff and clients can help foster a more inclusive environment.
What drives you to do the work that you do at Holland Bloorview?
Our clients and families are always my greatest motivator. I’ve met so many wonderful people who participate in programs or receive care at Holland Bloorview. From seeing them in music and arts to hearing their stories or the research happening, it’s an honour and joy to work for them. My colleagues are also a huge motivator. I see and feel everyone putting in 100 per cent all the time. It encourages me to meet their level and offer help when I can. You can feel everyone’s heart working towards the mission of the hospital and even when times get tough, it’s easy to get back on track.
Is there a particular experience or story that has profoundly impacted you personally or in your role?
I think the first time I felt truly connected to Holland Bloorview was playing piano for HBRocks in 2022. Collaborating with the clients to make music that they loved was pure joy. I’ve heard moving stories about HB Rocks performances that made me tear up, feel the encouragement, support and excitement of the program but being on on stage with them was very impactful. This was my favourite part.
What do you find most fulfilling about your job?
Working in stewardship, I feel like a professional celebrator and a celebration is always fulfilling. Some of the most fulfilling moments at the foundation has been watching a donor see their name on our walls for the first time. Our team works so hard to receive donations and maintain donor relationships, so these moments always feel like the cherry on top of a cake made by a dozen people. It’s in these moments where I get to hear what moves people to support Holland Bloorview and it’s always inspiring.
What makes Holland Bloorview special to you?
There is obviously so much amazing work here but I find the community makes Holland Bloorview the most special. I feel like I can make a new friend or learn something new every single day. Every time I talk to someone about their work I’m always amazed and impressed with how much happens here. Sometimes I feel annoying by how much I tell people I love my job!
Looking ahead, what impact do you hope to continue making, both personally and as part of the Foundation team?
I hope I continue fostering innovative ways to spread awareness and celebrate Holland Bloorview. As we come into our transformational campaign, I look forward to the many new learning opportunities and skills I can gain for the Foundation mission.
