Cam Galindo recently served as an elected trustee on the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, Vice-Chair of the Board and Chair for Policy, and Finance & Facilities Committees. He helped balance a $682.2 million annual budget while serving 49,520 students and supporting 5,277 staff members. As a volunteer with United Way, Galindo has been a long-time impact speaker, served on the Campaign Cabinet, and was Chair of GenNext.
As a first-generation student, Galindo graduated from McMaster University in 2017 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, a minor in economics, and an integrated Business Studies Certificate from Mohawk College. Galindo recently completed a Master of Public Policy at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, and was a resident Junior Fellow at Massey College.
Galindo’s passion for community engagement runs strong and begun shortly after his arrival to Canada as a refugee from Colombia at six years old. As an at-risk youth raised by a single mother of two in a low-income household while struggling with an undiagnosed disability, Galindo connected with the community through volunteerism and organizing opportunities.
He has served on multiple municipal and provincial advisory committees across Ontario, including the Premier’s Council on Youth Opportunities. He advised the Premier, cabinet ministers, and staff on enhancing youth-oriented programs, policies, and strategies. Galindo helped design a $5 million youth opportunities fund and advised on a $295 million youth jobs strategy. He was also involved in developing the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy, Ontario’s Education Strategy, Youth Action Plan, the Aboriginal Child and Youth Strategy, and the Ontario Culture Strategy.
Galindo has worked at the Canada School of Public Service and the Canada Revenue Agency. As Community Lead for Ample Labs, Galindo helped rollout Chalmers in Hamilton, an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot to help people experiencing poverty and homelessness find social services, free meals, shelter, clothing, and more.
A proud member of the LGBTQ2S+ community, Galindo has a passion for travelling, swimming, public speaking, storytelling, and community organizing. He is fluent in Spanish and conversational French and currently plays water polo on Toronto’s Triggerfish.