Tonya loves intractable problems and constraints. Every challenge is an opportunity to break rules, push limits and design innovative solutions. Her specialty: identifying gaps and common challenges, creating models that advance systemic change and using self interest to power collaboration.
Socialight brings together the global community and engages youth to put their love into action for positive global impact. 2014Award
The first paper outlining the constellation model — complexity-inspired governance framework for multi-organizational collaboration. 2006Working Paper
Vision, collaboration design, and startup strategy for the Centre for Social Innovation — a social enterprise to catalyze, inform and support initiatives that advance social, environmental and economic well-being. CSI brings social innovators together, providing shared workspaces, services, programming and networking and collaboration opportunities. 2003–2004
Presentation and discussion of the role of a third-party catalyst in the provision of multi-tenant nonprofit centres. Tonya's focus was on the value-add of more intense cooperation amongst tenants and the role that the convener plays in this work. 2003Talk
Tonya traces her evolution as an innovator, entrepreneur, and governance geek. She discusses how she leveraged her rage to come up with collaborative solutions to change the world. 2011Talk
First published in MIT's Innovations journal, this article provides an overview of the Centre for Social Innovation's theory of change, highlighting what makes the community come to life, and how change happens. 2013Article
This paper crystalizes Tonya Surman’s learning about how to foster the conditions from which social innovation can emerge, and how these insights fit into a more linear or scaled approach to social innovation. 2010Working Paper
Starting back in 2004 when the Centre for Social Innovation was just a glimmer in the eyes of a few social entrepreneurs, this book traces the organization's growth from concept to operation to scale. 2010Book
This article explores how the charitable and non-profit sector can benefit from working collaboratively. It explores pooling resources, creating efficiencies, coordinating voice and building an organizations core competencies through collaboration. 2004Article
Tonya and Mark Surman outline a complexity-inspired governance framework for multi-organizational collaboration. 2008Article
Published in the Technology Management Innovation Review, this article examines an innovative approach to organizing collaborative efforts in the social-mission sector that shares various elements of the open source model. 2008Article
This report shares our most recent research on the impact of the Centre for Social Innovation in order to demonstrate just what shared spaces for social innovation can accomplish. 2010Book
A manual for those planning or operating a shared space. It reveals the accumulated knowledge of six years of experience and offers a ton of tips, lessons and tools for developing a strong organization and vibrant community. 2010Guide
The story of how the Centre for Social Innovation bought a building. Also a DIY guide to help your organization leverage its most important asset — its social capital — to pursue its mission, build resiliency and create more vibrant communities. 2012Guide
Perhaps an old concept for many of us, this article in the Harvard Business Review, “Shared Values” by Michael E. Porter and Mark R. Kramer may be a defining moment in the transformation of thinking about capitalism. 2011Blog