Rick Tobias

Dr. Rick Tobias is one of Canada’s best-known advocates for people whose lives are defined by poverty and exclusion. With credibility earned through front-line experience and innovative leadership, he has involved thousands in a vision for lasting change for people and communities.

Since 1983 Rick has served at Yonge Street Mission in Toronto. In 2012, after 23 years as CEO, he took on a new role as Community Advocate. Rick’s aptitude for communicating faith-based values and vision draws in people of all faiths and with no specific faith.

Rick’s insights and convictions spark commitments in others he meets while speaking, consulting, and mentoring and in 25 years of teaching at Tyndale University College and Seminary. Those moved to act include business and religious leaders, church-goers and secular audiences, students and scholars, social service managers and front-line workers.

Apart from family and work, Rick’s key interests are motorcycling, music, and deepening his understanding of personal spirituality.