Our Team

Jonathan John (He/Him)

Janine Noorloos (She/Her)

Janine Noorloos (She/Her)

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.

Janine Noorloos (She/Her)

Janine Noorloos (She/Her)

Janine Noorloos (She/Her)

Director, Programs & Services

Janine has held leadership positions in non-profit and health organizations. With experience in mental health promotion, housing services, public health, and program evaluation, Janine is motivated to support people in her community.

Janine enjoys linking research with practice to improve the health and well-being of individuals and population groups.

Henrietta Botei (She/Her)

Janine Noorloos (She/Her)

Christian Dinelli (He/Him)

Database & Web Administrator / Social Media

Henrietta works in Operations and CRM Management, with over 7 years experience in a professional capacity.

She is a hardworking extrovert, who deeply cares for the people and community around her. She has regularly provided support to charitable organizations in her home country Nigeria, and also

Database & Web Administrator / Social Media

Henrietta works in Operations and CRM Management, with over 7 years experience in a professional capacity.

She is a hardworking extrovert, who deeply cares for the people and community around her. She has regularly provided support to charitable organizations in her home country Nigeria, and also her new home here in Canada.

She wants to serve young people in this capacity as she knows they are our future, and it is important to invest in them, with a positive and hopeful approach that will support them as they transition to adulthood.

Christian Dinelli (He/Him)

Christian Dinelli (He/Him)

Christian Dinelli (He/Him)

Program Coordinator, DiscoverU, RISE Camp & Certification Training

Christian has spent several years working within the local community serving marginalized and at-risk populations. His experience includes working with a number of large scale social service organizations in capacities that include case management, counselling, intake and p

Program Coordinator, DiscoverU, RISE Camp & Certification Training

Christian has spent several years working within the local community serving marginalized and at-risk populations. His experience includes working with a number of large scale social service organizations in capacities that include case management, counselling, intake and program support.

Christian also brings with him years of business experience, having served in operational and sales capacities in the past. Christian believes in the importance of transforming marginalized young people through meaningful and engaging initiatives that support their continued growth. He is especially interested in group programming and the positive attributes it can instil within participants.

Bea Ramos

Christian Dinelli (He/Him)

Frank Ventrella (He/Him)

Program Facilitator, Women's Programming

Bea is a diasporic Filipina, living and working in Toronto. She has a degree in Women & Gender Studies and Political Science from the University of Toronto, where her work centered on the lived experiences of Filipinx-Canadian workers, women, and youth. Having over four years of experience in hospit

Program Facilitator, Women's Programming

Bea is a diasporic Filipina, living and working in Toronto. She has a degree in Women & Gender Studies and Political Science from the University of Toronto, where her work centered on the lived experiences of Filipinx-Canadian workers, women, and youth. Having over four years of experience in hospital healthcare, she values every opportunity to connect with others while supporting the needs of her diverse community.

Growing up as a first generation immigrant in Canada, Bea is committed to empowering marginalized youth and creating meaningful spaces for young people to foster their passions, access the support they need, and have their voices heard. She is excited and grateful for the opportunity to share what she has learned to advocate for youth and guide them towards reaching their full potential.

Frank Ventrella (He/Him)

Christian Dinelli (He/Him)

Frank Ventrella (He/Him)

Facilitator, GoTheDistance Mentorship Program

Frank is an educator and life-long learner pursuing a PhD in Education at the University of Ottawa, where he also completed his Master of Education. His research focuses on digital inequalities and the effects that these have on people’s opportunities to succeed in contemporary society.

He is c

Facilitator, GoTheDistance Mentorship Program

Frank is an educator and life-long learner pursuing a PhD in Education at the University of Ottawa, where he also completed his Master of Education. His research focuses on digital inequalities and the effects that these have on people’s opportunities to succeed in contemporary society.

He is committed to finding ways of reducing digital and social inequity, which is why he is excited to be working with Youth Rising Above. He believes that, together, we can help marginalized youth empower themselves to find much happiness and success in their lives.

Joanna Pereira (She/Her)

Priyanka Sahajpal (She/Her)

Priyanka Sahajpal (She/Her)

Program Facilitator, DiscoverU

A driven Caseworker and a dedicated Registered Early Childhood Educator, Joanna has been working with children and youth for many years. She works in the non-profit field, supporting newcomer and refugee families, children and youth integrate into Canadian society. Joanna is passionate in providing opportu

Program Facilitator, DiscoverU

A driven Caseworker and a dedicated Registered Early Childhood Educator, Joanna has been working with children and youth for many years. She works in the non-profit field, supporting newcomer and refugee families, children and youth integrate into Canadian society. Joanna is passionate in providing opportunities for young people to learn, develop and help them realize their full potential.

Working at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel, has given her the experience of being a positive mentor offering guidance and support, connecting youth to broader experiences, opportunities and networks while providing a safe and non-judgemental environment in which they can gain the confidence to achieve more. Joanna is excited to begin this new journey with Youth Rising Above and looks forward to empowering young people.

Priyanka Sahajpal (She/Her)

Priyanka Sahajpal (She/Her)

Priyanka Sahajpal (She/Her)

Mentorship Program Coordinator

Priyanka is a Social Worker who completed her Master in Social Work and Honours Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Toronto. She has several years of experience working with youth across multiple settings such as non-profit, community, homelessness, hospital, and higher education sectors.

Priyank

Mentorship Program Coordinator

Priyanka is a Social Worker who completed her Master in Social Work and Honours Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Toronto. She has several years of experience working with youth across multiple settings such as non-profit, community, homelessness, hospital, and higher education sectors.

Priyanka is passionate about supporting youth with achieving holistic well-being, equipping them with tools to overcome barriers, and supporting them with building pathways that align with their goals. She has coordinated and developed engaging programs for youth that resulted in positive outcomes and has led evaluation efforts to ensure the needs of youth are being met effectively. She is committed to fulfilling gaps and working alongside youth to create an environment that is empowering. She aims to create spaces that are inclusive, diverse, and equitable to increase opportunities for youth to thrive.

Ivana Re (She/Her)

Priyanka Sahajpal (She/Her)

Celena Li (She/Her)

Administrative Assistant, Rising Together

Ivana has an academic background in sociology and public policy and is passionate about fostering stronger mental health literacy. She recognizes a broader gap in addressing youth mental health and believes in the value of a safe and inclusive space that provides youth with the opportunity to spea

Administrative Assistant, Rising Together

Ivana has an academic background in sociology and public policy and is passionate about fostering stronger mental health literacy. She recognizes a broader gap in addressing youth mental health and believes in the value of a safe and inclusive space that provides youth with the opportunity to speak openly about their experiences.

Ivana has held several administrative roles that have allowed her to gain experience with program support and data integration in both professional and volunteer capacities. She is looking forward to integrating the knowledge from her administrative experience to support and empower youth in the Rising Together program.

Celena Li (She/Her)

Rebecca Johnson (She/Her)

Celena Li (She/Her)

Coordinator, Volunteer Services

Celena has extensive experiences in the administration and education field working with youth and international students from diverse backgrounds. She helps students prepare for the Canadian workplace while ensuring they master the language proficiency and achieve academic excellence.

Her professional experi

Coordinator, Volunteer Services

Celena has extensive experiences in the administration and education field working with youth and international students from diverse backgrounds. She helps students prepare for the Canadian workplace while ensuring they master the language proficiency and achieve academic excellence.

Her professional experiences include counselling, developing policies for the school and managing diverse students. She is passionate and excited working with Youth Rising Above to make a difference to the community and empowering youth at risk to have successful and enriching lives.

Rebecca Johnson (She/Her)

Rebecca Johnson (She/Her)

Rebecca Johnson (She/Her)

Coordinator, Peer Support

Rebecca has a diverse background, with experience in various research, leadership, and advocacy-based roles within mental health. She has coupled her passion for working within the community with her interest in youth mental health supports, leading various mental health awareness groups and developing educational

Coordinator, Peer Support

Rebecca has a diverse background, with experience in various research, leadership, and advocacy-based roles within mental health. She has coupled her passion for working within the community with her interest in youth mental health supports, leading various mental health awareness groups and developing educational workshops. Academically, Rebecca has completed an undergraduate degree in psychology, and a graduate certificate in mental health and addictions.

She is currently studying at the University of Toronto, completing a Master’s Degree in Health Service Research with specializations in health service outcomes and evaluation, and public health policy. Rebecca believes in the importance of providing supportive, empowering, and inclusive spaces for youth to grow and thrive. She is committed to meeting youth where they are and supporting their unique needs through engaging programs and opportunity building.

Lela Pacitti (She/Her)

Rebecca Johnson (She/Her)

Rebecca Johnson (She/Her)

Coordinator, Women's Programming

Lela is an Urban Planner with a passion for community planning, development and housing policy. She is committed to creating inclusive and vibrant communities by employing a lens of social justice and collaboration to ensure that the unique goals of communities are understood and met.

Throughout her perso

Coordinator, Women's Programming

Lela is an Urban Planner with a passion for community planning, development and housing policy. She is committed to creating inclusive and vibrant communities by employing a lens of social justice and collaboration to ensure that the unique goals of communities are understood and met.

Throughout her personal and professional life, Lela has been inspired by the strength, knowledge and capacity within youth. She is committed to breaking barriers and creating connections so that youth can find what they love in life and follow it with the passion it deserves.

Jessica Raynor (She/Her)

Shannon Martell (She/Her)

Shannon Martell (She/Her)

Coordinator, Community Engagement

Jessica recently earned her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy and is currently working as a Legal Assistant. Her passion for serving youth in her community stems from years as a peer and youth mentor where she was able to experience firsthand the value of creating safe and inclusiv

Coordinator, Community Engagement

Jessica recently earned her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy and is currently working as a Legal Assistant. Her passion for serving youth in her community stems from years as a peer and youth mentor where she was able to experience firsthand the value of creating safe and inclusive spaces for young people to feel supported.

Her previous opportunities to engage in the planning and facilitation of community outreach and fundraising-based projects have driven her to advocate for positive and impactful development in her community. She is proud to be a part of the Youth Rising Above team and to help support the mission of empowering our youth.

Shannon Martell (She/Her)

Shannon Martell (She/Her)

Shannon Martell (She/Her)

Coordinator, Fund Development

Shannon has over a decade of experience in event management and more than five years in marketing and communications. In her current role as a Community Engagement and Events Manager, she spearheads various initiatives to support her organization’s philanthropic endeavours. In this role, she has had the privil

Coordinator, Fund Development

Shannon has over a decade of experience in event management and more than five years in marketing and communications. In her current role as a Community Engagement and Events Manager, she spearheads various initiatives to support her organization’s philanthropic endeavours. In this role, she has had the privilege of working with a diverse range of organization’s charitable efforts. Through this experience, it has strengthened her commitment to using her skill set to give back and deepen her community impact. Shannon is looking forward to leading Youth Rising Above's fund development team, to back the dynamic and transformative programs at YRA that offer youth inclusive leadership and skill development opportunities.

Janayah Famutimi

Rebecca Patterson

Rebecca Patterson

Facilitator, BeYou Women's Program

Janayah recently graduated from Seneca College’s Social Service Worker program.

During the program, Janayah completed an internship at a local community centre where she facilitated many youth programs and activities, which is where she fell in love with youth development and it ignited a passion in her

Facilitator, BeYou Women's Program

Janayah recently graduated from Seneca College’s Social Service Worker program.

During the program, Janayah completed an internship at a local community centre where she facilitated many youth programs and activities, which is where she fell in love with youth development and it ignited a passion in her to serve young people.

She particularly enjoys getting to know youth and helping them achieve their goals. A few things about her: She really enjoys trying new food spots. She also enjoys getting to know different countries, loves to travel and explore and can't wait to do more of it!

Rebecca Patterson

Rebecca Patterson

Rebecca Patterson

Fund Development Associate

Rebecca is a dedicated non-profit professional with a passion for impacting communities on the local, regional, and national levels. Much of her social impact work has focused on supporting equitable access to high-quality education & mental health support for children and youth. She has experience in fund develo

Fund Development Associate

Rebecca is a dedicated non-profit professional with a passion for impacting communities on the local, regional, and national levels. Much of her social impact work has focused on supporting equitable access to high-quality education & mental health support for children and youth. She has experience in fund development, social media & marketing, and program management. She has primarily worked with early-stage charities and she is excited to continue this work with Youth Rising Above. Rebecca is passionate about uplifting and empowering Canadian youth to achieve their goals through removing barriers to youth programming, mentorship, and other opportunities.