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WE DELIVER PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS TO AMPLIFY THEIR VOICES IN DECISION-MAKING SPACES.

Welcome to Fora's Community Platform.

Since 2009, Fora (formerly G(irls)20), has been investing in young changemakers experiencing gender-based discrimination, and creating more inclusive and equitable decision-making spaces. Through renowned leadership, advocacy, and community-building programs, we help young trailblazers gain new skills, confidence, supportive networks, and opportunities to build gender equity movements, advance in their career trajectories and change the status quo.

Learn more about Fora here.

ENGAGE WITH FORA

"The Forum was an opportunity like none other. With world-class training on governance, board financials, fundraising, negotiation, and more, I arrived feeling like I had so much to learn but left feeling equipped to contribute my skills to any board of directors."

- Young Director, Cohort 4

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Jhanelle is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and the Mental Health Clinician for the Toronto Raptors. Jhanelle also supports various grass-root community organizations as a Mental Health Professional and individual clients through her Toronto-based private practice Jhanelle Peters Psychotherapy.With compassion and understanding at the forefront, Jhanelle works with individuals to identify strengths, tools and personal determination that can lead to positive and lifelong changes. With a background in Mental Health and Social Housing, Jhanelle has worked in both the United States and Canada, helping individuals uncover negative patterns and behaviours that make life challenging to navigate.When she is not connecting with clients and athletes, she spends her free time working on her newest passion of art therapy through her brand The Visual Therapist. Her mission at The Visual Therapist is to help others connect with feelings and emotions that are often challenging to express in words.

Mary Stefanidis (she/her) is a Higher Education professional with experience in student development, academic and career learning at both the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto. She holds a Masters of Education in Student Development & Services in Post-Secondary Education from the University of Toronto (OISE) where her major research project focused on access to PSE for equity deserving students. She is passionate about the intersections of identity and career development, and has experience working with diverse students navigating decisions around sharing identity throughout the career exploration and job search processes. She currently sits on the Start Proud Board and The 519 Fundraising and Philanthropy Committee where she works on projects and initiatives which support the career and personal well being of folks in the 2SLGBTQ+ Community. Prior to that she was a coach and Steering Committee member with the Fora Girls on Board program. She now manages a team which helps connect U of T students with employers and meaningful work.

As CEO of Fora, Heather’s career is built around improving the livelihoods of women and girls, both at home in Canada and around the world. Prior to joining Fora, she managed complex, multi-country girls’ education and women’s health interventions across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America for Right To Play and CARE Canada.

She also has the unique experience of having worked in corporate relations and strategic partnerships with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. An activist for women’s and girl’s rights, poverty-reduction and senior citizen care, Heather has volunteered for the Kin Club, the YMCA, CARE, Holiday Helpers and the Invictus Games.

As the Communications Manager at Fora, Cari relies on her knack for storytelling to create compelling content that moves audiences to action. While non-profit comms is her jam, she also brings a background in international relations, project management, and community engagement to the role.

Cari has had the opportunity to work alongside incredible teams at organizations like FoodShare Toronto, Plan International Canada, and Transforming Faces. She has a deep love for exclamation points and em dashes (and a strong desire to use them more often than she should). She brings a lifelong passion for gender equity, social justice, and environmental activism to work each day.

When she’s not working, you’ll find her hiking with her dog, Lando, attempting to take photos of urban wildlife, or watching reruns of her favourite shows. Her favourite accessories are a pair of hiking boots, a good book, and her camera.

Marija is devoted to promoting gender equality and advocating for women, girls and gender-diverse people around the world. A passionate fundraiser, she loves to highlight the spaces where community needs and donor interests meet, stewarding gifts to build a more equal future. Prior to joining Fora, Marija worked on superstar teams at CODE and CARE Canada to raise funds for projects supporting the education, health and economic empowerment of women, girls, and communities in low-income countries around the world.

In her spare time, Marija loves baking, reading, and travelling to explore new destinations and return to the places that have stuck with her.

Originally from Yellowknife, NT, Jacq Brasseur (they/them) has over a decade of experience leading queer and trans non-profit organizations. They co-founded the Northern Mosaic Network, the only 2SLGBTQ+ human service agency in the Northwest Territories, and proudly served as the agency's first Executive Director. Jacq has previously served as the Executive Director of the UR Pride Centre for Sexuality & Gender Diversity, and as National Director for Fierté Canada Pride.

In 2021, Jacq founded Ivy + Dean Consulting, where they currently serve as CEO & Principal Consultant, whose goal is to bring equity focused, queer-informed and accessible approaches to governance, leadership and programming to small & medium-sized non-profits. In addition to their work in queer and trans communities, Jacq is proud to have been involved in a wide range of grassroots, community and corporate organizing over the past decade with organizations such as United Way Northwest Territories, Briarpatch Magazine, la Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française, and the University of Regina Alumni Association.

Crystal is a faith-driven Jamaican national. She is passionate about youth development and women empowerment. She is a transformational leader with over 10 years of experience fostering consensus and capacity. Crystal recently graduated as Valedictorian from Saint Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Most recently, Crystal completed the role of Chair of Saint Mary’s University Student Association (SMUSA) Board of directors developing policies for the organization's strategic planning. Beyond leadership, Crystal is an entrepreneur with businesses in the beauty and, health and wellness industry. She is the C.E.O of Ilash Icon Hfx and Co-founder of Chrystal Treasure Herbarium. Ilash Icon Hfx is a small business offering professional eyelash extension treatments. The concept of Chrystal Treasure Herbarium was born out of the pandemic. Chrystal Treasure Herbarium offers a plethora of “Traditional medicines” -herbal products and remedies used to promote holistic health. In March of 2021 Crystal established an NGO dubbed “Shero Anti-Trafficking League”. Shero Anti-trafficking League aims to prevent human sex trafficking, while restoring and empowering survivors, breaking the chains of exploitation. At 24 years old, Crystal lends her voice daily to projects that effectuate positive change in her community.

Carolann is an award-winning course designer. The talent management and development programme she designed to help female senior associates progress to partner won awards from the Training Journal for Best Coaching Programme and Best Leadership programme.

Prior to founding Workplace Psychology, Carolann was Global Director of Learning and Organisational Development at Norton Rose Fulbright. She was responsible for the design and implementation of the firm’s global learning and development strategy.

Carolann has an MBA from the University of Warwick and an MA from the University of London. She is also a Meyler Campbell trained executive coach. Carolann’s leadership, strategy design and implementation work has won a range of awards. They include the MPF (Managing Partners' Forum) Best Collaboration Across the Management Team; Law Society – Excellence in Learning & Development and Stevie Human Resources Executive of the Year.

She is also on the Powerlist of Britain’s most Influential People of African and African Caribbean Heritage. Carolann was named BBBA (Black British Business Awards) Professional Services Leader of the Year. Carolann was awarded an OBE for Services to Disadvantaged People in the UK and South Africa in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020.

Atifa is Fora’s Officer for Programs. Over the past two years, she has worked to build the foundation of the Girls on Boards program, managed the day-to-day activities of its young leaders, mentors, and participating boards, and organized three Leadership Forums in Toronto. With a background in international development, Atifa's professional experiences ranges across the Canadian public sector, multilateral institutions, and international and community non-profit organizations. In addition to being a fierce advocate for the rights of women and girls worldwide, Atifa has dabbled in the world of film festivals with Toronto International Film Festival and HotDocs, event planning at the Ismaili Centre Toronto, and the research and writing of e-book, Crossing Paths: A Guide to the Pillars for Human Security and the 2030 Global Goals. Atifa is a firm believer in ending the stigma against mental health in her personal life and advocating for greater support mechanisms in her professional life. She is very proud to have served as an Advisor with the Patient and Family Centre Committee for Scarborough Hospital's Mental Health Department. In her spare time, you can find Atifa binging the latest shows on Netflix, knitting winter gear, or nerding out over all things sci-fi.

A lifelong passion for local and international social justice has been the driving force behind Jen’s work and schooling, which include international development, community development, and economics. In the decade before joining Fora, Jen put her heart and soul into developing creative and collaborative responses to food insecurity in her hometown of Timmins.

Jen has extensive experience with equity-focused program development and coordination in a variety of roles. As the five-year executive director of a grassroots charity, she drove effective and sustainable organizational growth. She has previously sat on boards and committees pertaining to food security, healthcare, and the arts.

Jen loves exploring – whether that’s a new neighbourhood, hiking trail, or dish. As a Toronto newcomer, she’s excited about the endless opportunities to try new things.

Bailey Greenspon is Director of Programs and Global Engagement at Fora. She has served in progressive leadership roles overseeing programming and global engagement at Fora since 2017. With a background in gender equality and development, Bailey has worked with young leaders across the G20, in West Africa, South Asia, and Canada. She is a global advocate for young women's economic participation and is advancing intersectional, gender-based policies through the G20's Women's Engagement Group as the Canadian delegate, as a former advisor to the Department for Women and Gender Equality's (WAGE) GBA+ Forum, at Canada's G7 Youth Engagement Group. Bailey is also a proud ambassador for her hometown Toronto. She is a Founding Advisor to Progress Toronto and for the Institute for Canadian Citizenship's 6 Degrees, and is most likely found cycling through Toronto ravines.

Sheliza Jamal is the founder of Curated Leadership, a coaching firm that fosters partnerships with leadership teams, nonprofits, and corporations to develop their knowledge in the areas of equity and diversity to build inclusive communities. Sheliza is a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and is currently completing her PhD at OISE, University of Toronto in the Department of Social Justice Education with a research focus on anti-racism in Teacher Education Programs.

As a DEI facilitator and Ontario certified educator, Sheliza brings over a decade of experience in designing curriculum and implementing training and development programs aimed at addressing inequitable outcomes for underserved communities. She has a background in arts education and often uses theatre-based techniques to develop embodied empathy to engage participants in dialogue about oppression. Sheliza uses a calling in approach to bring people together to listen and learn with empathy.

Allie is passionate about all things gender equality! With an academic background in international development and a professional background in fundraising, Allie is motivated by establishing meaningful partnerships with community, corporate and individual stakeholders to help level the playing field for young girls, women, non-binary and gender non-conforming people around the world.

Prior to joining Fora, Allie worked on mobilizing finances to support the work of organizations like War Child Canada and Plan International Canada, with a strong focus on advancing children’s rights and global gender equality.

In her spare time, you can find Allie working on her ‘side-hustle’ as a singer/songwriter, hiking through trails across the GTA, trying new recipes and spending time with her family and friends!

Jace Meyer is a nomadic Métis mom currently playing, living, and working on the Lekwungen speaking territory of the Songhees and Esquilmalt Nations. Jace is the Executive Director of the Indigenous Innovation Institute, a community space for self determination that envisions wide-reaching influence of Indigenous wisdom on the development and use of technology across society that builds on the 4 year history of the First Nations Technology Council’s mandate from the 203 BC First Nations to ensure all Indigenous innovators can access upskilling and reskilling opportunities that will ensure technology enables social and economic wellbeing in cultural perpetuity. Jace’s expertise in the co-creation of culturally relevant, trauma-informed, and place-based STEM and entrepreneurship education spans public, non-profit, and industry contexts reaching more than 1.25 million learners across Turtle Island. As a fierce advocate for Indigenous entrepreneurs, Jace spoke to 70,000 people around the globe in order to co-create the conditions necessary for Indigenous entrepreneurs to thrive. In 2019 Jace was recognized as a BMW World Responsible Leader.

As Fora’s Project Coordinator for the Girls on Boards program, Viktoriya is motivated by her shared passion for advancing gender equality and equity for under-resourced communities. With an educational background in Politics and Governance, Viktoriya understands the critical need for greater gender diversity in leadership and decision-making spaces.

Outside of her role at Fora, Viktoriya is committed to diminishing barriers to access in her work with newcomers and immigrants to Canada. Viktoriya draws on her lived experiences as a first generation Ukrainian-Canadian to provide inclusive and highly engaging programming to support the development of literacy skills among children, youth, and adults in Toronto’s Regent Park Community. She has also collaborated with local and national Ukrainian Canadian organizations to foster relationship building and capacity development within her own community.

In her spare time, Viktoriya is a tropical plant enthusiast, she enjoys exploring new hiking trails, and spends her evenings watching the latest true-crime documentaries on Netflix.

Miriam Buttu is an experienced international development professional with over 10 years of leadership experience in the field, and a Psychology Degree from the University Of Toronto.

As an entrepreneur, educator, and professional speaker, Miriam has built two businesses, taught at York University and Humber College, and has led several personal and professional development workshops in Canada and abroad.

Miriam is incredibly passionate about women tapping into the power within, and as a result, creating massive impact in the world.

As a first-generation Arab-Canadian woman, Miriam understands the barriers impacting womxn’s leadership and growth, and she’s excited to continue being a part of the solution with Fora.

Pamela Christine Galenzoga (she/her) is Fora's Senior Program Officer for Girls on Boards program. She has over a decade of significant experience in the development sector, specifically in project management, monitoring and evaluation, capacity promotion and training, and partnership building.

Prior to taking up the post at Fora, Pam has tirelessly advocated for the empowerment of marginalized communities in the Philippines through digital inclusion and sustainable governance. Additionally, she has worked extensively on various development issues covering land and environment management, disaster risk reduction management, climate action, and community-driven development. Pam is also an expert in spatial data analysis using geographic information systems.

Passionate and with a strong stance for genuine systemic change, she is resolute about broadening the space given to youth and women to disrupt power inequalities and confront patriarchy through her work.Pam holds a Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the Philippines, and will soon be completing her post-graduate International Development certificate at Humber College in Toronto.

In her free time, Pam volunteers for a newly established organization in Ghana that implements community solutions to climate change affecting African women and youth.