Our Team

Each of our team members brings a unique lens to our work and a passion for youth and youth worker wellbeing across Ontario.

Princess (she/her) is a first year Kinesiology student at York University. She is also a medical receptionist at a clinic in Mississauga. Her research interests involve understanding the relationship between youth care workers and the developmental outcomes of children.

Her work within the community involves volunteering within the youth sector, health care clinics, and retirement homes.

Her personal interests include reading romance novels, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

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Latoya (she/her) is currently a BSW student in her final semester at York University, and a Social Service Worker from Humber College. Latoya has worked as a casual Support Worker at Community Living North Halton, supporting adults with developmental disabilities for two plus years, and enjoys her field placement position as a Residential Client Advocate, supporting women and children experiencing domestic violence and homelessness.

Outside of work and school, Latoya enjoys spending time with her family, spending time outdoors, taking long road trips, and cooking delicious meals.

Alexander (he/him) is a Research Assistant at YouthREX. Alexander is a 4th-year student at York University in the Law and Society Bachelors program and a member of the Dean’s Circle of Scholars. His academic interests include philosophy, law, socio-legal studies, and theories of political economy. Inspired by post-modern legal thought and contemporary ideas of governance, Alexander aspires to pursue a Juris Doctor degree at one of Canada’s top law schools, where he can help make lasting changes in our legal system and social institutions.

Outside of academia, Alexander enjoys spending time outdoors with his loved ones, volunteering, and writing short stories.

 

Kimberly (she/her) is a Research Assistant at YouthREX. She is a 3rd-year student at York University in the Bachelor of Social Work Honours Program.

Kimberly graduated from the Social Service Worker Diploma program at Sheridan College with high honours in 2021. Her social work interests are working with new immigrants and providing counselling for youth and women who have survived trauma.

She has also earned Diplomas in Travel and Tourism and Fight Attendant from the International Institute of Travel.

Kimberly has over 15 years of experience in the financial industry, most recently 10 years with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) as a Sales and Service Specialist.

She is a founding member of H.E.L.P. Groups (Hands-on Experiential Learning with Peers). Created by second-year Social Service Worker (SSW) practicum students for first-year SSW international students who are looking for support and resources to help make the first year in Canada and college a positive experience.

Kimberly has also volunteered her time with CIBC Run for the Cure, CIBC Waterfront Clean-Up, and Community Food Bank Disaster Relief for various food banks in the Brampton community.

Her interests include creating memories with her two children. She also enjoys travelling and organizing.

Caroline works as a Research Assistant at YouthREX. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Mount St. Mary’s University (MD) and a Master of Science in Sport Psychology from Queen’s University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Applied Health Sciences at Brock University with a focus on program evaluation and positive youth development in the sport and recreation sector.

Caroline has experience working as an external evaluation consultant for provincial and national sport organizations, assisting as a varsity-level basketball coach, and volunteering with various youth-serving organizations.

Outside of work and school, she enjoys coaching youth basketball, going for long hikes with friends, and binge-watching the latest Netflix reality TV show.

 

Helen (she/her) is a Research Assistant at YouthREX. She graduated from York University with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and currently studies at the University of Toronto in the Master of Social Work program.

Outside of work, Helen is involved in affordable housing committees and community environment/gardening initiatives. Also, she enjoys dance and jogging. Helen knows English, Cantonese, and French - she especially loves the French language!

 

Celina (she/her) is a Research Assistant at YouthREX. Celina is a third-year Psychology student at York University. She is interested in a variety of research and academic topics, one of which includes the importance of comprehensive sex education for youth.

Outside of work and school, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and spending time with loved ones.

 

Victor (he/him) is a Research Assistant at YouthREX. His background includes a Diploma in Flight Dispatch and Helicopter Landing from the Universal School of Aviation. He is currently a student at Fanshawe College, with the goal of becoming an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. 

Victor is interested in finding creative ways to support underserved areas and fighting racial and social injustices.

His hobbies outside of work include painting, exercising, meditation, and reading mysteries. He speaks both Igbo and English with ease.

Jenny (she/her) is a Research Assistant at YouthREX. She is interested in how language intersects with social and cultural identity and hopes to work with the youth sector in the future. She is currently completing an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from York University.

During her free time, she volunteers with a variety of non-profit organizations, ranging from providing resources to those with disabilities, to raising awareness for mental health. She also enjoys learning languages, reading true crime novels, and consuming horror media.

Monica (she/her) supports YouthREX’s administrative functions in addition to research in the areas of social work field education and evaluation.

Monica holds an Honours Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Windsor and an Honours Bachelor's of Social Work degree from York University. She is currently pursuing a Joint Master of Social Work and Juris Doctor degree at the University of Windsor.

Outside of work, Monica actively volunteers with organizations that promote the protection of human rights. She is an avid horror and psychological fiction reader and a coffee connoisseur.

 

Peter (he/him) is a Polish-Canadian who is working on several projects. He attended York University and acquired credits while there. 

Peter has a background in business economics and accounting. His experience at York University gave him a unique skill set.

Outside of work, Peter enjoys gardening, playing chess, and spending time with friends, family, and his cat

Rahma (she/her) is a PhD candidate at York University's School of Social Work. Her research examines surveillance and policing within public housing communities. Her areas of interest include neighborhoods and housing, urban poverty/income polarization, youth development, social policy, race and policing, resiliency, and community surveillance.

Rahma has also worked in the non-profit sector for 14 years in youth engagement and settlement services for racialized newcomer Canadians, with a focus on Black women's health and wellbeing.

 

Sinthu (she/her) is a Research Assistant with YouthREX. Sinthu loves qualitative research (especially Institutional Ethnography) and has published her work in the British Journal of Social Work, Health & Social Work, and Intersectionalities: A Global Journal of Social Work Analysis, Research, Polity, and Practice.

Sinthu is also a passionate social worker at the University Health Network’s Red Blood Cell Disorders clinic. Here, Sinthu applies Social Justice, Human Rights, and Anti-Oppressive frameworks to provide counselling and advocacy to people with sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and other hemoglobinopathies. She has practice interests in supporting people at the intersections of racism and ableism.

Outside of work, Sinthu enjoys learning how to play the guitar, reading books, and spending time with her friends and family. One of her most favourite pastimes is watching theatre and musicals.

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Clementine (she/her) is a Research Assistant at YouthREX. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Health Studies with a specialization in Health Management from York University. Clementine is excited about amplifying youth voice in research and evaluation and the possibilities of arts-based approaches.

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Adrienne (she/her) is a Research Assistant at YouthREX. She received her B.A. from the University of British Columbia, her MSW from Boston University and is currently a PhD Student at York University School of Social Work. She is passionate about elevating youth voice and is experienced in planning, facilitating and evaluating youth advisory councils across sectors. Adrienne is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and is a fierce advocate for Indigenous rights. She draws inspiration from youth movements for equity and justice all over the globe.

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Anne (she/her) holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto, an Addictions and Mental Health Graduate Certificate from Humber College, and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Her areas of interest include the social determinants of health, community development, healthy cities, and mental health programming.

Outside of work, Anne enjoys cheering for the Raptors, learning French, and going for lots of bike rides.

 

Nate (he/him) is majoring in Graphic Communications Management at Ryerson University. He is also pursuing a minor in Communication and Design. Nate is actively involved with the Graphic Communications Management Course Union (GCMCU) and was its President for 2019-2020. He supported digital content creation at YouthREX.

Nate aims to convey emotion and narratives through his minimal yet effective design. In his free time, Nate is an avid cook, enjoys working out, and loves watching anime with his boyfriend. Nate speaks English, Filipino, and is currently learning Japanese and Korean.

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Suzanne (she/her) was in her final year of the Specialized Honours Psychology Bachelor of Arts Program at York University, and holds a Bachelor of Design from the Ontario College of Art and Design University.

Suzanne is pursuing a career in Clinical Psychology, after working extensively in process analysis and development.

In 2018 and 2019, Suzanne participated in the Peace of Minds Yogathon Fundraiser for the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario. She enjoys creating and consuming art and design, and she is fluent in English and French.

LinkedIn

 SuzanneMcKeag.com

 B.A.G. Sketchbook

 

Nicole (she/her) was a placement student at YouthREX, driven by the desire to treat people with dignity and respect. She was completing the Addictions and Mental Health graduate certificate program at Humber College.

Nicole is also a health professional, serving as an Emergency Care Worker at the Canadian Red Cross. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a minor in Sociology from Brock University.

Nicole enjoys teaching kids at church and dancing to Afrobeats.

Amberlynn (she/her) was a Research Assistant with YouthREX. She has experience working with youth and adults involved in the justice system and child welfare system. Amberlynn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Amberlynn was a Master of Social Work candidate at York University. 

She really enjoys gardening, working out, cooking, eating snacks, and being at home.

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Chantal (she/her) was a Research Assistant and completed a fellowship with YouthREX.

Her research interests include addressing anti-Black racism in academic, political, and health-based contexts. Chantal received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Medical Science from Western University and is a medical student at the University of Toronto.  

Chantal is passionate about her faith and how this intersects with social justice. Her hobbies include running, experimenting with coffee beverages, and spoiling her baby nephew.

Twitter

Nyla is from Sagamok First Nations. She is 16-years-old and goes by she/her pronouns. She's in grade 11 at Lockerby Composite school.
 
Nyla is happy to say this is her first ever work experience.
 
Some things she enjoys are drawing and playing volleyball. She loves to be creative and really likes volleyball. Volleyball has to be her favourite sport ever.
 
 
Alex (he/him) is currently working with Dr. Joey-Lynn Wabie as a research assistant for the Transform Nations project, helping create and post social media content and gaining ideas through interaction with followers.
 
He was born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario, and fluently speaks in both the French and English languages. He is currently a 4th year undergrad student studying kinesiology at Laurentian University.
 
Outside of school and work, he is very active in his community through sports as an athlete and referee, and loves to spend time and going out with family and friends.
 

Emily (she/her) is an undergraduate Research Assistant at YouthREX. She is in her fourth year of Urban Studies and hopes to pursue her master's in urban planning. She has some experience in working with non-profit organizations, as well as conducting research. She is interested in equitable urban planning through urban design and policy and part of a few extracurriculars, including the Federation of Urban Studies Students and CITY Institute at York.

She speaks Khmer at home and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching movies and trying new foods/activities!

Rocio (she/her) is an intern at YouthREX. She is pursuing a doctorate in Psychoéducation at the Université de Montréal focused on the development and evaluation of innovative and artistic programs from the perspective of positive youth development.

Rocio is also an art educator and a clinician supporting youth with mental health difficulties.

She fluently speaks Spanish and French. Some things she enjoys are painting murals, swimming, and reading comic books.

Ossob is a MSW practicum student from York University and completed her BSW at the University of Calgary.

Over the last nine years in Edmonton, her practice has largely been in youth residential settings, working with people experiencing chronic and episodic homelessness. 

Ossob is passionate about coffee, kdramas and all pistachio deserts.

A youth coach who provides young people with the right knowledge and skills needed to lead better lives while contributing positively to the sustainable development of society.

Master of Arts in Comparative Literature & Arts, Brock University, Post Graduate certification in Public relations, York University (in view).

I am a wife, mother, writer,  and digital content creator who loves to dance to the beautiful afrobeat of West Africa. I speak English fluently and the Igbo language with a touch of French.

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Kayla (she/her) is a Research Assistant at YouthREX. She is a recent communications and marketing graduate from McMaster University. 

During her free time, she enjoys hanging out with family and friends, listening to true crime podcasts, cooking, and working out.

Tiffany Ford, MBA (she/her)
Senior Research Associate 
 
Tiffany is an award-winning marketing communication and stakeholder engagement consultant, educator, serial entrepreneur, and former school board trustee.
 
For over a decade, Tiffany has worked with leading social and political issues-based organizations committed to solving some of society’s most significant challenges through public awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement.
 
Tiffany holds a double Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Communications and Sociology and a Master of Business Administration.
 

 

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