Elyas Burney Email & Phone Number

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Canada

Lead Canadian programs that train youth to navigate the employment market and prepare for the future of work. I also identify and develop future leaders through one-on-one mentorship. My role in fostering youth empowerment is achieved through two national initiatives: Get Job Ready: I facilitate a series of workshops that train young Canadians in creating a strong LinkedIn profile, networking, job interview preparation and building a positive digital identity. In addition, the program is designed to identify and develop soft skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, active listening, social cohesion, public speaking and leadership through teamwork, debates, mock interviews, speeches and leadership tests. In three years I have trained 500 youth ages 18-29, from diverse backgrounds (at-risk youth, newcomers, members of the LGBTQ community, First Nations Canadians and racialized and visible minorities). Women Learning to Code and Take Leadership: I have written three successful grant applications that have brought in $275,000 to implement this program that has trained 70 young women in introductory coding. Twelve participants have graduated from Web Development Bootcamps and six will graduate in 2021. My role focuses on project management, mentorship, evaluation, recruitment, stakeholder relations and team building. In addition, I also organize training sessions and youth conferences for Licensed to Learn (www.L2L.ca), IDRF's free academic support program for youth struggling in school. My role involves identifying and preparing potential speakers to facilitate workshops and breakout sessions.

Toronto, Canada Area

I started with IDRF as a volunteer fresh out of graduate school. After a year of volunteering IDRF hired me as a Program Manager responsible for its Pakistan flood response in 2010. Here is how my career evolved: - Managed a portfolio of 25 humanitarian response and sustainable development projects in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya. Lebanon and Tanzania. - Coordinated distribution of food packages, installation of clean water and sanitation facilities and shelter construction in disadvantaged communities, in collaboration with local partners/grassroots NGOs. - Emphasized gender empowerment and women’s rights in all programming. This lead to ensuring a minimum of 50% of all beneficiaries were women and girls, women’s needs were incorporated into project design and field teams were comprised of female community mobilizers that maintained engagement. - Conducted field visits to evaluate projects in Pakistan and Bangladesh to assess their outcomes and effectiveness. Interviewed individuals impacted by calamities and conflict to determine criteria to expand our humanitarian efforts. - Designed and developed computer and tech programs for youth in Tanzania and Pakistan that trained participants in Microsoft Office, web browsing and email; Created for opportunities for co-curricular activities (sports, music, spelling bees, theatre) - Facilitated 10 Syrian refugee sponsorships helping Canadian citizens integrate Syrian refugee families into the Greater Toronto Area. Partnered with settlement agencies to share information, manage finances and connect those sponsoring newcomers to Canada with valuable resources.

Mississauga, Ontario

Master'S Degree, International Relations And Affairs

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Communications

Activities and Societies: Winner of the Virginia McDonald-Evans Memorial Prize for writing the best essay in the field of Social Science.