Meet Eyal, Ourboro’s Chief Operating Officer!
A child of immigrants, Eyal has had a passion for social impact and community building from a young age.
At Ourboro, he keeps our team on track to meet our goals, while fostering a compassionate and engaged company culture.
How long have you been with Ourboro?
I started with Ourboro in September 2019.
As the Chief Operating Officer, what does your day-to-day look like?
I ensure that our organization has the right people and systems in place to drive us to success. I hire and train teams with a focus on emotional intelligence and genuine care and compassion. I support each department by keeping them on track towards their goals, and by providing them with the context and resources they need to meet their objectives. I am each team member’s cheerleader, constantly rooting for their success.
My days are really, really varied. And honestly, I love that about my job. Some days I am reviewing budgets or monthly reports. On others, I’m drafting role descriptions and leading interviews. Most days I’m checking to see if we’re on track to meeting our goals and seeing what I can do to get us there.
Each day I try to help at least one person get unstuck – either from a challenge they’re facing in their work or from something personal that is holding them back from performing to their potential. I don’t always succeed, but at the very least, I’ll get down in the muck with them to meet them where they’re at.
How did you get started in Operations?
Before Ourboro, I spent 9 years at Operation Groundswell – an educational travel organization that builds and leads programs around the world for young people. I moved into the Marketing Director role as part of the founding executive team. In 2012, I stepped into the role of Executive Director. Overseeing the rapid expansion of Operation Groundswell gave me a real appreciation for the importance of great management and good systems required to scale.
What brought you to Ourboro?
As I was beginning to wrap up my time at OG, I was planning to take some time off to recover from the intensity of working in international travel. I had known Norm for a number of years through the social impact space and we always got along so well. He caught wind that I was transitioning out of my previous role. He reached out to me to share the concept of Ourboro. I was immediately hooked.
So many incredible people in my community were being priced out of the housing market. People who make their neighbourhoods friendlier, more vibrant, and more connected. I didn’t want the city I love to lose the very people who helped me fall in love with it.
Where could we usually find you when you’re not working?
These days, I try to spend as much time as I can watching my 14-month-old daughter waddle around, basking in the little pitter-patter her bare feet make as she darts off to explore another corner of our home. When I’m not laughing at all of the ridiculous things she does, I’m usually dangling off a piece of rock I’m trying to climb, biking around the city, playing basketball, or making music with my far more talented friends.
What book is on your bedside table right now?
I recently finished reading Song for Achilles and I’m now rereading a personal non-fiction favourite of mine: First Break All the Rules.
What’s something that people often find surprising about you?
I helped write and direct a musical for the Toronto Fringe festival that ended up winning the audience choice award.
What’s your favourite neighbourhood in Toronto or the GTA?
Such a hard question to answer! I spent many years living in and around Kensington Market. It will always hold a special place in my heart. These days, I’m a big fan of Bloordale Village. It’s down-to-earth, full of diverse restaurants including Portuguese, Indian, African, Vietnamese, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern. And I love a good stroll through the west end rail path.
