Mom, auntie, gardener, avid swimmer, moody without cocoa

Usha is the co-founder of the ELF and Sage Youth. She is the former Vice President of Marketing of the Trans American Trade Exchange; has served as an Advisor to the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Get Up Stand Up Project; and has served as a member for the Board of Governors of the Ottawa Community Foundation. Usha was elected to the Ashoka Fellowship in 2010.

Mom, auntie, photographer, hobby farmer, unpleasant without coffee

Bobbie Dhar is the co-founder of the ELF and Sage Youth. She is also the founder and former Executive Director of Generation Live Green. She has served on the board of directors of Sisters Achieving Excellence and was the former Secretary-Treasurer of the National Children’s Botanical Garden of Canada.

Auntie, loud laugher, also difficult without coffee

Randi supervises the ELF’s local, Ottawa program delivery. She has a Master of Education with concentration in societies, cultures, and languages; holds a membership in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers. She maintains a small garden plot in a fruitless attempt to stay true to her rural Alberta roots.

Mom, auntie, could seriously become a world-class chef

Bailey has been with the ELF and Sage Youth in various positions for 17 years. She is the Senior Advisor at Carleton University on Gender and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support; founder and former Executive Director at Sisters Achieving Excellence; former Digital Strategist at MediaStyle; and Chair of the Public Engagement Committee of the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women. Bailey is always ready for a debate about politics, food, or pop culture (and is likely to win any dispute on these matters).

Mom, auntie, community builder, can eat cookies indefinitely without stopping

Helina began volunteering at the ELF’s parent charity, Sage Youth, in the late 1990s. Since September 2013, she has assisted in French material development and workshop delivery. She is currently a Lead in the Health Research Programs Design and Delivery Team at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Mom, auntie, eerily well-balanced on skis and paddleboards

Carol received her Bachelor in Education and Masters in Teaching in China. She was a dedicated educator before she came to Canada at the end of 2012. She has completed a Child and Youth Worker program at Algonquin College. Carol can be regularly found exploring various wonders with her children.

Auntie extraordinaire, reigning champion of the 2 shoes challenge, fitness enthusiast

After completing a BA in Legal Studies, Noura has worked in the fields of hospitality, fitness, wellness, non-profit support and civil service. Noura began volunteering with the ELF over 10 years ago and returned to her coordinator position last year after returning from a northern adventure.

Daughter, niece, eats french fries dipped in ice cream (but doesn’t want anyone to know)

Gladys is completing her PhD in Experimental Psychology at the University of Ottawa. Her thesis specializes in children’s cognitive development. Before that, she was a dedicated ELF volunteer for two years. She returns to the ELF as a coordinator supporting online, pandemic-response programs.

Wendy has been a foundational member of the ELF team. She began her experience as a volunteer at our parent charity, Sage Youth, in the mid-1990s. Wendy works as a client advisor with the Government of Canada’s Translation Bureau. She says, “To see the children grow and succeed has been so fulfilling and the work and support I offer the organization has rewards I had never expected.”

Tess Acton is a refugee and immigration lawyer in British Columbia. She brings a deep sense of justice and integrity to her work in helping people seek safety and build their lives in Canada. She has been with the ELF in varying capacities for 13 years.

George has an MBA and now works as a financial analyst after several years in banking and business development. George began supporting the ELF in 2013 and has done so as a literacy mentor as well as a member of our board.

Parmida is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, educator, personal development and business coach. She holds degrees in Political Science, Business Administration & Education. She began her ELF journey in 2011 as a volunteer, then coordinator, then she joined our Board.

Luwam works as a Case Manager with a local community health centre working with homeless families. Luwam has worked with many disadvantaged communities through Ottawa in different capacities. She has been part of the ELF team since 2014.

Aly Virani is a Wills & Estates and Family Law lawyer in Toronto. He has been involved with the ELF since 2005 when he began volunteering as a literacy mentor. Based on his own reading and writing challenges early on, Aly is aware of the lasting impact that literacy programs have on our youth.

Sharon Broughton is a non-profit leader. She is the former CEO of Prince’s Trust Canada and an Instructor with the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies’ Non-Profit Leadership for Impact Certificate program. Sharon has previously served as Kids Help Phone’s President and CEO, as CEO of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Executive Director of Crossroads International, and Director of Organizational Development at the Ontario Trillium Foundation. She has supported the ELF since 2005.