Chairperson
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
Chairperson
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.
Interim Vice Chairperson
Alex is a relationship builder and fund development professional with over 12 years of experience raising funds for non-profit organizations. She has led a $10 million dollar capital campaign and raised funds for healthcare and hunger relief organizations in Hamilton and Toronto. She now works with a small agency h
Interim Vice Chairperson
Alex is a relationship builder and fund development professional with over 12 years of experience raising funds for non-profit organizations. She has led a $10 million dollar capital campaign and raised funds for healthcare and hunger relief organizations in Hamilton and Toronto. She now works with a small agency helping small and medium non-profits develop their fundraising programs while coaching leaders to help them find balance and avoid burnout.
Passionate about empowering marginalized people, Alex volunteered for many years with a residential treatment home for youth in Toronto. Alex is proud to be a part of Youth Rising Above and keen to support marginalized young people so they can feel safe and empowered.
Director
Cynthia joins Youth Rising Above with a commitment to empower youth and a solid track record in community involvement. With a professional background in capital markets and AI, she has always found ways to channel her knowledge and experience into avenues that support and uplift others.
Cynthia has led numerous fundraising initia
Director
Cynthia joins Youth Rising Above with a commitment to empower youth and a solid track record in community involvement. With a professional background in capital markets and AI, she has always found ways to channel her knowledge and experience into avenues that support and uplift others.
Cynthia has led numerous fundraising initiatives to support local communities, including the Happiness Project through bouquet sales and the Employee Giving holiday auctions at her workplace. Committed to diversity and inclusion, she is a firm believer in the transformative power of learning and the opportunities it creates. Cynthia is excited to blend her unique background with her passion to create a positive impact as part of the board.
Director
I am a retired, professional accountant with over 30 years of managerial experience. My last role prior to retirement was the SVP of Finance of a Global Security Logistics company where I led, coached, and mentored teams of various sizes, comprising of different ages, nationalities/race and gender.
As a female in a male dominated
Director
I am a retired, professional accountant with over 30 years of managerial experience. My last role prior to retirement was the SVP of Finance of a Global Security Logistics company where I led, coached, and mentored teams of various sizes, comprising of different ages, nationalities/race and gender.
As a female in a male dominated industry, I managed to excel and attain a position on the Canadian Executive Committee being the first woman in the history of the Canadian company to hold that position. Leading by example and as a member of the Global Women’s Leadership Steering committee of the company, I encouraged and mentored women to strive and attain leadership roles within the organization.
I am a mother of three and a grandmother of two and am very aware of the needs that youth require. As I enter the next chapter of my life, I want to give back to the community and be able to share and contribute as much as possible. To be able to contribute to an organization which inspires, encourages, and transforms our youth will be an honour.
Director
Meet Asif Zulfiqar, a business professional with over 20 years of global experience in the field of Human Resource Management. With a strong background in people side of business, Asif is passionate about fostering positive and productive workplace cultures.
Throughout his career, Asif has excelled in talent management, employee
Director
Meet Asif Zulfiqar, a business professional with over 20 years of global experience in the field of Human Resource Management. With a strong background in people side of business, Asif is passionate about fostering positive and productive workplace cultures.
Throughout his career, Asif has excelled in talent management, employee development, and strategic HR planning. His commitment to aligning organizational goals with human capital strategies is evident in his track record of implementing innovative and effective people solutions. We are thrilled about the prospect of Asif contributing to our board's deliberations and decisions, as he brings a unique blend of experience and dedication.
Director
Tyler works in government and public policy and is a strong believer in positive-sum policymaking. Tyler's educational background is in political governance, gender studies, and English literature with research concentrations in municipal climate adaptation and community engagement.
Tyler has been volunteering with organizations a
Director
Tyler works in government and public policy and is a strong believer in positive-sum policymaking. Tyler's educational background is in political governance, gender studies, and English literature with research concentrations in municipal climate adaptation and community engagement.
Tyler has been volunteering with organizations and initiatives supporting people experiencing homelessness since 2016 and brings experience in organizational management and board governance to YRA.
Interim Secretary
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
Interim Secretary
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.
Director
Ronalyn (Ronnie) Pollack has previously served as the Executive Director of the Native American Cultural Center in Rochester, New York. Prior to her time at the Native American Cultural Center, she worked as a Forgiveness Coach utilizing the healing power of forgiveness to transform lives, while incorporating the seven generations
Director
Ronalyn (Ronnie) Pollack has previously served as the Executive Director of the Native American Cultural Center in Rochester, New York. Prior to her time at the Native American Cultural Center, she worked as a Forgiveness Coach utilizing the healing power of forgiveness to transform lives, while incorporating the seven generations principle into her work. Ronnie has been the Director of Training and Community Engagement for the Center for Dispute Settlement. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Monroe Community College and has taught in the Health and Physical Education Department for over 16 years. Her background also includes being a holistic health coach, while having 12+ years' experience as a social worker in the early part of her career. A majority of her focus while serving as a social worker was spent working with at-risk youth and their families. Wanting to uplift marginalized and invisible youth is what motivates Ronnie to serve on the Board of Youth Rising Above. Ronnie is a member of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation/Six Nations of the Grand River, in Ontario. Working with Indigenous peoples in the area of forgiveness is something that is sacred and personal to her heart, as she desires to see all Nations heal.
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 dev
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.
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Charitable Registration Number: 72653 2914 RR0001
Youth Rising Above needs your support to keep offering essential youth development programs! We're working to raise $5,000 by the end of 2024 to continue providing inclusive, relationship-based opportunities that foster wellness, leadership, and skill development. Every dollar makes a difference, and we're running out of time!
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