Changing how communities move, learn, and collaborate

Dan Hendry works with communities, school boards, municipalities, and partners to turn good ideas into programs that actually get implemented. From youth transit to climate action and cross-sector collaboration, Dan helps communities remove barriers and design solutions that last.

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A man in a black t-shirt and pants speaking on stage at a TEDx event in Ottawa, with large 3D letters spelling 'Ottawa' behind him.

Dan Hendry brings a background in commerce, strategic sustainability, and complex systems thinking to community-based work. His focus is simple: helping communities move from plans and pilots to programs that actually work in the real world.

He’s spent the last two decades working across education, media, municipal systems, and social innovation, always with an emphasis on collaboration, implementation, and long-term impact.

A practical approach to community change

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Community solutions that got implemented

  • Two presenters on stage during a conference or awards event. The left presenter, a man in a black t-shirt and khaki pants, is speaking and gesturing with his right hand. The right presenter, a man in a blue suit and white shirt, stands facing him. Behind them is a large screen displaying the title 'Through Action' and the names 'Dan Hendry & Cedric Pepelea,' with images of Earth and space. A table on the stage holds several trophies and awards. A banner below the stage reads 'CWISE.'

    Climate Action and Education

    Connecting climate goals with community needs, ensuring plans translate into measurable action at the local level.

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  • School bus with a sign saying 'Welcome, Students' parked outside while a man explains things to a group of students gathered nearby.

    Youth Transit Programs

    Helping communities design free and low-cost youth transit programs, including the nationally recognized Kingston Transit High School Bus Pass Program and its evolution into Get on the Bus.

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  • Group of seven young adults wearing business attire, standing arm-in-arm on stage at a college event, with a large screen behind them listing various universities.

    Social Innovation Projects

    Supporting organizations and institutions to move from ideas to action, balancing ambition with policy, funding, and operational realities.

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How Dan works with communities

  • Community Strategy & Partnerships

    Dan helps organizations align people, priorities, and systems so complex initiatives can move forward with clarity.

    This includes partnership development across municipalities, school boards, nonprofits, and businesses, along with facilitation and strategic planning that supports shared ownership and long‑term collaboration.

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  • Program Design & Social Innovation

    From early ideas to fully implemented programs, Dan supports organizations working to remove barriers and improve access, especially for young people.

    His work includes youth‑focused innovation, program design, mentorship, and implementation support, drawing on experience designing initiatives like the Innovation Hub at St. Lawrence College and nationally recognized youth transit programs.

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  • Climate Action & Sustainable Communities

    Dan works with communities ready to move from climate plans to practical action.

    This includes climate action planning, community engagement, and implementation support that connects environmental goals with social and economic realities.

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  • Speaking & Facilitation

    Dan is also a frequent speaker and facilitator, working with audiences across the country on topics including youth transit, social innovation, systems thinking, and climate action.

    He brings practical experience, clear language, and a focus on implementation to every keynote, workshop, or community session.

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Reach Out

If you’re working on a community challenge and want a partner who understands systems, partnerships, and implementation, let’s talk.

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Featured
Nourishing Our Community: Why I’m Supporting the Community Food Fund
Nourishing Our Community: Why I’m Supporting the Community Food Fund

Why I am supporting the Community Food Fund — a local initiative that connects families with fresh, healthy food while helping farmers plan and grow with confidence. It highlights the power of community-led solutions, the value of volunteering your skills, and the importance of investing in local food systems. In times of uncertainty, this project offers a tangible way to make a positive impact.

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From Kingston to the Capital – A Reflection on Youth Transit, Pilots, and Possibility
From Kingston to the Capital – A Reflection on Youth Transit, Pilots, and Possibility

At the Connecting the Dots symposium in Ottawa, a former Kingston youth approached me and said, “You taught me how to ride the bus.” That full-circle moment captured the heart of my talk: youth transit programs build lifelong habits, equity, and community connection. From pilots in Kingston to international policy shifts, investing in youth mobility creates measurable change—and as Anna Zivarts reminded us, transit is ultimately about justice and inclusion.

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Supporting Youth Creativity at the Imagine the Future Festival
Supporting Youth Creativity at the Imagine the Future Festival

Dan Hendry had the honour of attending The Youth Imagine the Future Festival, which celebrates youth creativity and innovation in sustainability, and presented awards to participants on behalf of the Limestone District School Board.

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