Our Board of Directors
Salvatore D'Agostino
Salvatore D'Agostino
Salvatore D'Agostino
Chairperson
Salvatore’s professional background includes working with youth in a residential, community and shelter settings. His professional experience includes case management, program development, philanthropy, trauma-informed practice, and community development. Additionally, he co-hosts on the CYC Podcast having monthly segments on
Chairperson
Salvatore’s professional background includes working with youth in a residential, community and shelter settings. His professional experience includes case management, program development, philanthropy, trauma-informed practice, and community development. Additionally, he co-hosts on the CYC Podcast having monthly segments on social justice and advocacy. He has a particular skill in the design, development, and implementation of programs taking a youth-centred and informed approach. Salvatore has a Bachelor’s in Child and Youth Care and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Administration and Law. Salvatore is passionate about youth-centred programming and advocating with young people. He is excited to be working with Youth Rising Above and the young people we work wit
Jonathan John
Salvatore D'Agostino
Salvatore D'Agostino
Executive Director & Founder
Jonathan has over a decade of leadership experience working in the poverty reduction sector both in public and private environments, with a significant focus on youth development. He is committed towards co-creating meaningful, supportive and relevant opportunities in support of positive youth and community de
Executive Director & Founder
Jonathan has over a decade of leadership experience working in the poverty reduction sector both in public and private environments, with a significant focus on youth development. He is committed towards co-creating meaningful, supportive and relevant opportunities in support of positive youth and community development. Jonathan believes that everyone has a role in creating healthier and vibrant communities, while also working towards preventing poverty for future generations. He is committed towards ensuring young people feel safe and inspired as they engage with YRA services.
Irwin Elman
Salvatore D'Agostino
Irwin Elman
Vice Chairperson
Irwin has 40 years of experience working with young people marginalized from their rights. For over 20 years he managed the Pape Adolescent Resource Centre, an award winning brave space serving youth in and from care living on their own in the Greater Toronto Area. He was the Director of Service at Central Toronto Youth
Vice Chairperson
Irwin has 40 years of experience working with young people marginalized from their rights. For over 20 years he managed the Pape Adolescent Resource Centre, an award winning brave space serving youth in and from care living on their own in the Greater Toronto Area. He was the Director of Service at Central Toronto Youth Services a children's mental health centre in downtown Toronto. He has worked in Japan, Jamaica, India and Ukraine supporting the development of a variety of youth services and system reforms. From 2008-2019 Irwin was Ontario's Child Advocate reporting to the Ontario Legislature "partnering with children and youth to bring their issues forward" as described in his guiding legislation. Irwin is the proud father to two young boys living with his wife in Toronto.
David Kim
Kathryn Merei
Kathryn Merei
Treasurer
David is currently a Director at a financial services firm in Toronto, where he leads client service teams in providing accounting advisory and financial operations consulting for both public and private companies. He is the leader of his office’s employee network group for Pan-Asian professionals and the lead recruitment and me
Treasurer
David is currently a Director at a financial services firm in Toronto, where he leads client service teams in providing accounting advisory and financial operations consulting for both public and private companies. He is the leader of his office’s employee network group for Pan-Asian professionals and the lead recruitment and mentorship liaison between his firm and Ryerson University, where he completed his undergraduate degree in 2014. David is an active mentor to young professionals within his organization through various formal mentorship programs, including through his role as the Pan-Asian employee network group lead. He also participates in student mentorship through his alma mater and other external organizations. David is a life-long resident of downtown Toronto and is passionate about providing his expertise to organizations that serve marginalized youth in his community.
Kathryn Merei
Kathryn Merei
Kathryn Merei
Secretary
Kathryn is a senior marketing professional with 15 years of marketing experience in Hospitality, Wellness, and Lifestyle. She left the corporate environment to travel and volunteer abroad. Through her company, Merei Marketing, Kathryn is now focused and committed to supporting purpose driven businesses and not-for-profit organiz
Secretary
Kathryn is a senior marketing professional with 15 years of marketing experience in Hospitality, Wellness, and Lifestyle. She left the corporate environment to travel and volunteer abroad. Through her company, Merei Marketing, Kathryn is now focused and committed to supporting purpose driven businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Kathryn's life experience and personal journey has led her to embrance causes that support underserved communities, with a strong belief in the power of arts and fitness to inspire and improve one's mental health and well-being. She is proud to be serving on the Board for Youth Rising Above and to have the opportunity to do work that contributes to the personal growth and empowerment of young people.
Irina Posan
Kathryn Merei
Irina Posan
Director
Irina Posan is a strategic Human Resource leader with over a decade of experience specializing in HR initiatives that improve performance, growth, and employee engagement. Irina believes that the best way to succeed is by helping others succeed, and is committed to building HR programs to engage and empower people. Irina has notab
Director
Irina Posan is a strategic Human Resource leader with over a decade of experience specializing in HR initiatives that improve performance, growth, and employee engagement. Irina believes that the best way to succeed is by helping others succeed, and is committed to building HR programs to engage and empower people. Irina has notable experience in leadership development, talent management, talent acquisition and diversity. She has recently launched mentoring and leadership programs aimed at raising employee engagement and progressing career development.
Passionate about developing youth, Irina has served as a volunteer facilitating financial literacy programs to students as well as resume writing workshops for new immigrants. Irina holds a degree in Human Resource Management from York University, Human Resources and Business Administration Advanced Diploma from Seneca College, and a Mental Health Leadership Certification from Queen’s University. In addition, Irina is a Certified Human Resource Practitioner and a member of the Human Resources Professional Association.
Jordana Sanft
Kartik Manohar
Kartik Manohar
Director
Jordana is recognized for treating the attorney-client relationship as a true partnership, providing practical and strategic advice and obtaining successful results in and out of the courtroom. Jordana practices in all areas
of intellectual property law. She is particularly well known for her expertise in enforcing patents and tra
Director
Jordana is recognized for treating the attorney-client relationship as a true partnership, providing practical and strategic advice and obtaining successful results in and out of the courtroom. Jordana practices in all areas
of intellectual property law. She is particularly well known for her expertise in enforcing patents and trademarks. Jordana’s extensive experience involves working with clients across a range of industries, including biotechnology, consumer goods, energy, food and beverage, hospitality, horticulture, life
sciences, and technology. She regularly works with clients concerning the protection and optimization of their intellectual property portfolios and enforcement of their intellectual property rights. Jordana believes in giving back to the community and appreciates the importance of inspiring, empowering and transforming the next generation. Jordana supports the values of knowledge, learning and leadership as drivers for change and opportunity. Jordana is excited to serve on the Board of YRA an organization focused on helping youth overcome barriers caused by
poverty.
Kartik Manohar
Kartik Manohar
Kartik Manohar
Director
Kartik is currently a Risk Management Professional with a major bank in Canada. Prior to his current role, he lived and worked in the UAE for a few years. During his youth, Kartik was heavily involved in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, a youth development program developed by the Department of National Defence in Canada. Over the y
Director
Kartik is currently a Risk Management Professional with a major bank in Canada. Prior to his current role, he lived and worked in the UAE for a few years. During his youth, Kartik was heavily involved in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, a youth development program developed by the Department of National Defence in Canada. Over the years, Kartik has always been involved with non-profit organizations supporting both animals, and people in the UAE, India and Canada. As part of his current work, he is part of the internal Employee Giving Campaign (volunteer basis) to raise awareness about the importance of charitable contributions by those who feel they are capable of doing so. As an immigrant to Canada at the age of 10 in a single mother household, Kartik has seen first hand how important a sense of direction and purpose can play in the life of a young person. Being a beneficiary of specialized support during his formative adolescent years, Kartik hopes to use his experience with other non-profit organizations, and in Governance/Risk Management, to give back to the community in which he grew up.
Tim Hovey
Kartik Manohar
Tim Hovey
Director
Tim is a financial services executive who has studied and worked globally, leading Small Business, Commercial Banking, and Wealth Management teams in multiple countries and languages. He has been active in youth and community organizations for over 25 years, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, Toronto City R
Director
Tim is a financial services executive who has studied and worked globally, leading Small Business, Commercial Banking, and Wealth Management teams in multiple countries and languages. He has been active in youth and community organizations for over 25 years, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, Toronto City Rugby, Scouts Canada, and the United Way. As a sought-after mentor, he knows that sharing knowledge and experiences creates growth and learning opportunities for everyone involved. Having seen the amazing capabilities and potential of youth when given support and opportunities, Tim is excited and honoured to be contributing to Youth Rising Above as a Board member.
Madelaine Hewitt
Madelaine Hewitt
Madelaine Hewitt
Director
Madelaine is an experienced leader in the homeless and housing sector. As a certified Child and Youth Counsellor, Madelaine has 20 years experience working in program development and community capacity building both within Toronto and the UK. She has vast knowledge on youth engagement andrestorative practices and strives to ensur
Director
Madelaine is an experienced leader in the homeless and housing sector. As a certified Child and Youth Counsellor, Madelaine has 20 years experience working in program development and community capacity building both within Toronto and the UK. She has vast knowledge on youth engagement andrestorative practices and strives to ensure that both approaches are at the centre of her work. Madelaine’s commitment to ensuring that young people have access to support and resources combined with her passion for contributing to positive social change is what excites her about being a part of the Board of Youth Rising Above.
Char San Pedro
Madelaine Hewitt
Madelaine Hewitt
Director
Char is a feminist, friend, humanitarian, social entrepreneur, intersectional gender equity advocate, community-builder, orator, and writer. With a colourful background that spans social service, music, fashion, film, sustainability, and wellness, Char's inspirations are wide-ranging, and all driven by the same ethos—to radically
Director
Char is a feminist, friend, humanitarian, social entrepreneur, intersectional gender equity advocate, community-builder, orator, and writer. With a colourful background that spans social service, music, fashion, film, sustainability, and wellness, Char's inspirations are wide-ranging, and all driven by the same ethos—to radically support others; to be of service; to be rooted in values of love, compassion, and humanity. Char resides in what is known as Toronto, where she volunteers and consults nonprofits serving communities experiencing inequities and provides critical community-led supports and services to advance equitable outcomes on a grassroots level.
Her personal experiences have acutely shaped her work. Growing up as a girl of colour in an under-served community, Char believes that working with youth is one of the most impactful ways to collectively address climate degradation, gender-based violence, abuse, and placed-based issues and encourage hope, justice, and a meaningful sense of togetherness.
Char's commitment to supporting and empowering youth is a responsibility she deeply shares with the Youth Rising Above family. She understands the human value of having youth as equal partners in life.
Patrick Lee
Madelaine Hewitt
Patrick Lee
Director
Patrick has immense experience with policy and governance work especially within the youth development sector. Specifically, Patrick has been involved with analyzing the educational system and how it impacts the success rate of marginalized youth; and in turn how this affects students entering into post-secondary institutions. Pa
Director
Patrick has immense experience with policy and governance work especially within the youth development sector. Specifically, Patrick has been involved with analyzing the educational system and how it impacts the success rate of marginalized youth; and in turn how this affects students entering into post-secondary institutions. Patrick also brings with him a wide array of experience from within the financial sector, having served in a variety of capacities. Patrick is excited and eager to continue serving the community and providing positive support to marginalized and at-risk young people.
Donate to our Community Holiday Drive
Help support young people during the holiday season. We're looking for hygiene items, gift cards, socks/gloves, skincare products, journals/stationary, reusable water bottles, portable phone chargers, headphones, chocolate/candy for our annual holiday gift drive. Reach out to jessicar@youthrisingabove.org to coordinate a donation. Or make your charitable donation of $50 to cover a gift for one person, and we'll provide you with a tax receipt in return. Thank you for bringing love to a young person this holiday season!