In August 2021, planeloads of evacuated refugees fleeing the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan began arriving in Toronto. With nothing but the clothing on their backs, and little to no documentation, government agencies contracted to process and settle the new arrivals fell far short of their mandate. Canadian Connections was formed to help fill in the gaps.Beyond providing immediate tangible needs (e.g., clothing, food, personal hygiene products, support with medical appointments) we aim to foster connections between newcomers and Canadian people, resources and organizations that can help.

DECA phase II (August 2015 to present)Diving deeper in the CSI pool. Co-leading training program for new DECA cohort. DECA (September 2014 to August 2015)Provided stellar customer service with equally outstanding organization, communications, and problem solving (mostly technical) skills. A "connector of ideas and people, ... frontline barista for social change, ... the glue that keeps the CSI community together."​ www.socialinnovation.caCOMMUNITY MEMBER (February 2014 - September 2014)Pursued potential projects geared to the practice of a Sharing Economy via Toronto-based enterprises. | Promoted Toronto's inaugural #100in1Day campaign (hosted by Evergreen Canada and the United Way of Toronto).

In response to the Canadian Government's commitment to welcome 25,000 Syrian refugees by February 2016, dozens of ad hoc organizations around the GTA became the de facto backbone of settlement support. From January 2016 - July 2016, I was Volunteer Engagement Coordinator for 'The Clothing Drive', a 100% volunteer-run initiative that collected and distributed by way of a 7-day-a-week 'store' donated clothing/footware/personal hygiene items to Syrian newcomers. In April 2016, I joined the 'Newcomer Kitchen' project, which uses community kitchen space to prepare and sell home-cooked Syrian meals. The goal is to create social and economic opportunity for newcomer women through food-based projects. I took on the role of Newcomer Kitchen's Volunteer Engagement Coordinator and began building a core team of 50+. In October, I became Secretary of NK's founding Board of Directors.In September 2016, I joined a group sponsoring several Syrian families to Canada. This led to my current leadership role with Hand-to-Hand Supporting Newcomers Canada, a volunteer-run settlement support group.

VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR (November 2015 to October 2017)Engaged volunteers in a wide variety of programs at Evergreen Brick Works. Implemented new features to enhance and streamline existing processes, e.g., redesigned volunteer landing page on www.evergreen.ca to include year-round opportunities, added 'sign up for email alert' function, shortened and made interactive general orientation. GARDEN MARKET PROGRAMMING & VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT (September 2014 to October 2017)Developed new and maintained existing Garden Market programming, designed to both educate and generate revenue. Coordinated all aspects of Garden Market and Winter Skating volunteer team. Supported Garden Market Sales Associates.FOOD PROGRAMMING ASSISTANT (July 2014 to October 2017)Supported event logistics, volunteer/vendor relationships and material development for weekly Brick Works' Farmers' Market (summer and winter), Adult and Children's programming.LEADERSHIP VOLUNTEER (May 2007 to October 2017)See Volunteer Experience below

Led a volunteer team of 500+. Included: recruitment, orientation, training, deployment, communications and recognition. Sought, established and maintained relationships with community partners that strengthened the impact in our respective fields. Responsible for Regional Annual Meeting and Volunteer Awards, election of GTA National Delegates and Regional Chair. Key Accomplishments: Position vacant for almost a year prior to hire. Cleared back log of applications and brought records up-to-date. Built, and then guided, a team that: supported the majority of Association diabetes education programming delivered to 5.5 million Canadians in City of Toronto, Durham, Peel and York Regions; were diabetes advocates, media spokespersons and support group facilitators; assisted with special projects, raising funds and event logistics.

Supported 9-12 staff in GTA Regional Leadership Centre. Processed all accounts payable, expenses, and deposits. Provided 'back-up' to program delivery, eventually taking ownership of volunteer program, Chapter support and certain aspects of Individual Giving portfolios. Office manager and technical guru.Key Accomplishments: Position vacant for several months prior to hire, with few documented processes. Within six months able to perform all essential tasks and provide significant support to Regional Director and other staff. Within one year able to take lead on several additional portfolios.

Sole on-site staff person at Cinespace Film Studios (Carlaw). Managed all aspects of telecommunication services at two-building facility, approximately 250 work stations, including phone and internet installations, accounts payable/receivable and customer relations.Key Accomplishments: Re-structured physical connections (wiring) and re-programmed telephone switch to make the two building facility virtually 'plug and play'. Built a reputation for fast, fair and friendly service in a high-pressure industry.

Designed, wrote and delivered fully-customized Business English Language training programs for Chinese staff of multinational corporations. Conducted language audits and needs analyses. Interviewed and coordinated other teaching staff at the agency.

Conducted oral and written English, press reading and culture classes to English Majors and PhD. students. Developed own course curricula and designed course materials.

Taught oral and written English clases for students of all ages at Taiwanese language school and Tibetan women and medical students. Developed own course curricula and designed course materials.

Prepared written analyses of product lines, administration procedures and user requirements for senior management | Designed, tested and implemented changes to in-house computer processing systems and administrative routines | Drafted procedure training manuals and supervised user training | Supervised staff of 4-5 in all stages of drafting, editing, designing and printing information booklets and other promotional material.