I recognize that we are all responsible for being members of a world-wide community and I am a big advocate for social justice, equality and community support. I am very passionate about fundraising and donor relations and love working in this field as it allows me to connect with great people that are committed to making their communities stronger.
I am a people person and enjoy building strong relationships with people I interact with. I have been working in fundraising for the past 7 years, and I am working towards obtaining the CFRE credential. I also enjoy working in the non-profit sector as it allows me to connect with people that share my passion for supporting causes that work to improve our communities.
Currently I am a Development Officer for the Lutherwood Child and Family Foundation and I am responsible for raising financial resources and awareness to support programs at Lutherwood, primarily for children’s mental health services.
I am excited to be part of the Fellowship in Inclusion and Philanthropy program and I am looking forward to the great opportunities it provides.
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Having a passion in making a difference in the society, Ranjan is aspiring to gaining skills and knowledge required to enhance inclusive leadership in philanthropy. Currently, he has been working as a Database and Development Officer at Moorelands Community Services, a Toronto based charity. He was most recently the Assistant Administrative Officer at St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation, Toronto. Ranjan is one the founding members of Sasanka Sanjeevani Sangam, an organization dedicated to exploring creative potential of kids and youths via art, music and literature in Nepal. He holds an
MA, MPhil in English Literature, focusing on interdisciplinary studies from Tribhuwan University. In 2013 he graduated with Honours from Humber College’s Fundraising & Volunteer Management Post-Graduate Program.
Paul is a creative and strategic thinking community organizer, social entrepreneur and emerging urban planner. With over seven years of combined experience in community engagement, non-profit management, and urban planning, Paul has gained a wealth of knowledge and expertise in community level engagement, organizational development, and urban planning focused on improving the social and physical contexts and economic livelihoods in distressed urban environments. Paul is the founder of REVIVE a social enterprise that is invested in developing effective approaches, strategies, and practices to improve urban environments. Paul holds a B.A. in History and Social Science (Equity and Culture) and is currently completing a Masters degree in Environmental Studies (Urban Planning) at York University.
Nayeon is passionate about raising awareness of social issues while
building meaningful relationships with donors and volunteers.
As Associate Manager, Resource Development at United Way Toronto
& York Region, Nayeon has worked with over 350 organizations in
diverse industries, building strategic partnerships and raising funds to
build stronger and healthier communities across Toronto and York
Region. She is best known for her exceptional ability to adapt to
changing environments, lead multiple projects to success (Certificate in
Project Management), and create a culture of inclusion, innovation, and
collaboration. Nayeon is always looking for creative and meaningful
opportunities to grow professionally through continuing education and
networking. Connect with her at ca.linkedin.com/in/nayeonkimto and
@nayeonkimTO.
Melissa Leite is a Sr. Development Coordinator at Tides Canada, an innovative charity that supports people in building healthy, vibrant communities that have the social, economic, and natural capital to steward their environments for generations to come. In her role, Melissa is responsible for leadership
annual giving and supports all aspects of major gifts fundraising. She holds an honours degree in Public Policy and Administration from York University and a post graduate certificate in Public Policy and Administration from Humber College. Melissa is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (Canada). She is excited to join the fellowship program and is looking forward to all the skills and tools she will gain from this invaluable experience.
Matina Singh is Administrative Development and Estate Coordinator at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation, with extensive background in managing activities and motivating people. Matina’s greatest strengths are her drive, professionalism and time management. She thrives on challenges, is creative and an innovative problem solver. Her dedication to the cause assures that she never loses sight of the goal or task at hand. Her personal objectives are to
deepen her Fundraising knowledge and assure growth in the not-for-profit sector. Matina holds a Bachelors Degree (Stenden University), Netherlands and speaks 4 languages. She is passionate about helping others and spends her free time with her 3 children. Matina is a well rounded individual who lives with passion, dedication and grace.
You can find her at: ca.linkedin.com/in/singhmatina
Lissette Teran is an Agronomist with Specialization in Industrial Projects Management in her native Venezuela. Standing out for 12 years on projects involving environmental solutions and rescue of natural environments affected by pollution and oil spills. This experience led to her to develop a conservationist
consciousness, which made her think about the younger generations. Interested in helping young people in acquiring a science-oriented mentality, that facilitate them the way to make the decision about careers in sciences field, to form future professionals who will help your communities to solve environmental problems. She has also gotten involved with various campaign to help environmental
sanitation involving communities, and in her extension work, aimed at children and young, she teaches them some scientist methodologies for research about different topics. Encouraging to the youth within the community curiosity and interest to find new and creative solutions to environmental problems. For
over 4 years, she gave her time as a teacher volunteer counselor in research projects for the Astronomy Club Los Robles, in her hometown. She developed the work directly with different elementary and secondary schools, the Earth’s study, Astronomy and Paleontology. Making their tutees reach, three
consecutive years, recognition as winners in the international version of the Scientist for a Day contest, organized by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena California. Looking for new ways to reinvent themselves, she and her family move to Toronto in 2012, where in addition to getting international
certification as Project Management, she has been involved in a new way to help and direct her passion for science and motivation to young people, Visions of Science That Promotes Learning Network for STEM engagement to marginalized, low-income youth. This experience has given her a new perspective
about helping younger generations through philanthropy, to make a vow for the future scientists of Canada. She is planning, in a long term, to bring this culture of helping to her own original country.
Jothi has worked in the areas of public policy, research, and communications in Canada, Kenya, Israel, and Sri Lanka. Currently Jothi works at the intersection of translational research and philanthropy at St. Michael’s Hospital. Passionate about interdisciplinary learning, she feels privileged to have explored careers in government, academia, the non-profit sector and global institutes. Jothi
firmly believes that all social justice work begins with the self. She completed her graduate studies at the University of Toronto and is a certified yoga teacher.
Joanne’s career began with 12 years in advertising, communications and event
marketing, where she worked on campaigns for clients such as Scotiabank, Wal-
Mart, Procter & Gamble and Best Buy. She has also provided marketing
consultation to smaller entrepreneurial clients. Additional roles include business
development at Gowling Lafleur Henderson, one of Canada’s top business law
firms. However she always had strong sense of social justice, and felt the desire touse her professional skills in a way that gives back to the community and truly
impact people’s lives. In 2013 Joanne transitioned to the non-profit sector into a
senior marketing role at the YMCA. Currently as Manager of Volunteer Relations,
she oversees all things volunteer-related for a group of 800+ volunteers through
over 40 programs at WoodGreen Community Services, Toronto’s largest social
services agency. In her role she works with a very diverse population of
volunteers and clients, including children, newcomers, adults with developmental delays and marginalized populations. Joanne also serves on the board of directors at Nellie’s, a local shelter for women and children fleeing violence and abuse. She also volunteers for the arts through lending her marketing expertise to the Toronto Northern Lights, an international award-winning a cappella group.
Jessica Farias is a resident of Scarborough and has worked in the non-profit sector for 15 years. Originally from Mexico, Jessica is currently a Program Officer with the Catherine Donnelly Foundation. Jessica holds an undergraduate degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, a graduate certificate in International Project Management and she is also a trained Community Worker. She has extensive experience travelling and working in Latin
American, bringing strong cross-cultural competencies and a passion for social justice. She is grateful for the opportunity to further her career in the fundraising sector through this fellowship. Her main learning interests are fundraising practices for advocacy and social justice work, as well as strengthening mechanisms for stewardship in fundraising to promote excellence in demonstrating impact.
