Foundation for a Path Forward

F4W’s Transformative AI - First Cohort of Nonprofit Leaders Complete Groundbreaking Training

Jun 14, 2025

On June 14, 2025, Foundation for a Path Forward and Coding in Colour successfully hosted the inaugural Transformative AI professional development session—a groundbreaking free training designed for nonprofit professionals, community leaders, and frontline staff ready to navigate and lead in an AI-powered world.

With over two hours of engaging hands-on learning, participants explored how artificial intelligence can be used as a practical tool to supercharge their work—whether in managing programs, writing grants, planning outreach, or advocating for their communities. The session welcomed participants of all technical backgrounds and was structured to be immediately applicable, empowering attendees with real-world tools to streamline tasks, amplify their missions, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The training featured an exceptional lineup of speakers:

  • Sabrina Smai, AI entrepreneur and former Microsoft AI innovator, brought her expertise from 32 hackathons and years of pioneering real estate tech, sharing insights on using AI to boost productivity and innovation.
  • Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, University of Toronto professor and MATRA AI co-founder, delivered a research-driven take on AI safety, security, and ethical deployment in public-facing services.
  • Yusuf Siraj, co-founder of Foundation for a Path Forward and lead instructor at Coding in Colour, grounded the session in community relevance and practical, day-to-day applications for nonprofit teams.

Participants walked away with a strong foundation in AI concepts and confidence in their ability to integrate tools like ChatGPT into their daily workflows. The course also sparked crucial conversations about staying relevant in a changing world and how to use AI ethically and effectively to serve diverse communities.

All attendees received certificates of completion, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback has laid the groundwork for more advanced sessions later this year. The next Transformative AI session is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025, and registration is already open.

For those who believe in leading with purpose and staying ahead of the curve, Transformative AI marks the beginning of a learning journey that centers innovation, inclusion, and impact.