Beth E.C. Bailey

Beth Bailey’s life changed forever in 2006 when her husband, Scott, died after an eight-month battle with brain cancer, leaving her widowed at 36 with two young children. In the depths of that grief, she discovered something profound: shared experience combined with community builds resilience and hope in ways nothing else can.

What began as Beth’s own journey through loss became a mission to walk alongside others facing the unimaginable. She devoted herself to learning about grief and bereavement, not just for her own healing and her children’s, but to create the kind of community she wished had existed when she needed it most.

In 2011, Beth co-founded The Hummingbird Centre for Hope – a unique peer-to-peer nonprofit that helps widowed parents rebuild their lives while raising children alone. She served as Chair of the Board from 2013-2024, and continues to guide the organization as a Strategic Advisor. Ensuring that other families find the compassion, understanding, and practical support that can only come from those who’ve walked this path remains the anchor of this work.

Beyond her bereavement work, Beth has spent her career building bridges across Canada’s innovation ecosystem. As a Senior Advisor at NorthGuide, she works with organizations navigating complex challenges, strengthening multi-stakeholder partnerships, and designing programs that create meaningful impact. Her professional life is rooted in the same belief that sustains her personal commitment: strong communities – built on trust, collaboration, and genuine care – can change lives.