Leadership

Dwight Christopher Mendez (CFA, MBA, ACCA), is the founder and managing partner for JuztForKids.Com. Prior to launching his latest company JuztForKids, he was a Senior Vice President for Citco Fund Services (Canada) Inc., which offers full Hedge Fund Accounting and Private Equity administrative services.

Chris has over 25 years of executive management experience with a solid background in accounting, finance and information technology having worked with institutions such as Citco Fund Service, Toronto, Ontario, International Fund Services (N.A.) LLC, New York, New York, GlobeOp Financial Services, Harrison, New York, Merrill Lynch Mutual Funds Research, New York, New York, Mechala Group Jamaica W.I, Insurance Company Of The West Indies (ICWI) and Ernst & Young Jamaica W.I.

Chris earned his MBA in Finance and Accounting at Pace University New York, NY., he is a qualified accountant from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants- (ACCA) London UK., and he is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) member since 2001.

Darius Sookram is the Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC), where he leads initiatives to advance health equity, reduce barriers, and foster belonging for underserved populations. An award-winning leader with nearly 20 years of experience across government, higher education, and community sectors, Darius has built a career dedicated to creating inclusive systems that strengthen care and empower individuals. He has collaborated with CEOs, policymakers, and community partners to develop equity strategies and people-centered programs that promote access and opportunity.

A proud graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University, Darius holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration. He has also contributed his expertise as an advisor to York Regional Police, Carefirst Seniors, and Canadian Youth Champions, bringing a strong commitment to collaboration, accountability, and meaningful community engagement. In all his work, Darius strives to build a more equitable future for children, families, and communities across York Region and beyond.

Francesca Loffreda is a Peer Mentor for Blue Door Support Services’ INNclusion Program – a program providing supportive housing for up to 4 2SLGBTQ+ youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness in York Region.  Francesca has 5years’ experience working with homeless children, youth and families at Blue Door.

They moved to Canada from Italy in 2015 to study Child and Youth Care at Georgian College, specializing on human rights issues pertaining to the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Francesca is now attending York University to attain their bachelor degree in Social Work.

In 2017, Francesca co-created GenderLens, the first and only Italian association aimed at supporting families to better support their gender variant and nonbinary children from a positive, person-centered approach.

Francesca continues to support this project, advocating and educating about gender diversity and fluidity.

Jenany Rameswaran (MBA, CPA, CMA), is an accomplished Finance Director with over a decade of experience leading financial strategy, operational improvements, and organizational transformation. Currently Sr. Director of Finance & Operations at Inmar Intelligence, she has held leadership roles at Enghouse Systems, CGI, and Decision Resources Group (now Clarivate).

Jenany excels at turning data into actionable insights, with expertise in financial management, process optimization, and strategic planning.

She holds certifications in Change Leadership and Strategic Analytics.

Lauren Lé Blanc is a non-profit operations director and a high-conflict family mediator, primarily supporting families and youth involved with child welfare. Child protection is dear to her heart, as she is a former Crown ward of the Toronto Children’s Aid Society. She is a resilient, passionate individual with a strong background in understanding child, youth, and family complexities, and she brings the ability to pair current best practices with meaningful lived experience to better guide desired individual, community, and organizational outcomes.

Lauren is the co-founder of Generation Seven Community Support Services, a not-for-profit organization that delivers long-term educational and transitional support to youth exiting the child welfare system, as well as those impacted by sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and the criminal justice system. She formerly served as a director at the Ontario Association of Child & Youth Care, advocating for provincial legislative changes for children and youth. She continues to amplify the voices of children and youth within the Canadian child welfare system to ensure they have better outcomes.

At the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, Lauren sits on the provincial roundtable for 2SLGBTQ youth involved with the child welfare system. She also serves on the Youth Action Committee with One Vision One Voice, which addresses the overrepresentation and experiences of disparities faced by African Canadians involved with the child welfare system.

Lauren joined the African Canadian Child Welfare Ushauri (ACCWU) as a professional member of the child welfare community, bringing with her the valuable perspective of lived experience as a former Crown ward. The ACCWU is a collaborative rooted in the principles of Ubuntu and African-centered leadership, dedicated to supporting the health, well-being, and sense of belonging of children and youth of African Canadian, Caribbean, or Black heritage in York Region. The group works collectively to promote, advocate for, and strengthen the cultural identity, community connections, and overall success of Black children, youth, and young adults.

Lauren attended Queen’s University Smith School of Business, York University, and the University of Toronto, studying family mediation, project management, risk management, and strategic planning. She is a highly certified individual in non-profit operations, mental health, human trafficking, Lean Six Sigma, crisis resolution, Agile, change management, and policy development and evaluation. Lauren is currently enrolled at the University of Calgary, pursuing a part-time two-year certificate in professional management specializing in strategic management.

Leticia Osei is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She is the founder of Leticia Osei Psychotherapy and brings a multidisciplinary background in healthcare, mental health, and community advocacy to her work.

Leticia’s professional journey began in the medical field as a Registered Nurse, where she developed strong foundations in client care, crisis management, and holistic health. Her nursing experience continues to inform her approach to psychotherapy, giving her a unique perspective on the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.

In her psychotherapy practice, Leticia supports individuals and communities through a culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive lens. She recognizes that mental health is not a linear phenomenon but a multifaceted one shaped by lived experiences, including colonization, racism, trauma, and systemic oppression. Her work is grounded in anti-racism and social justice principles, with a focus on creating safe spaces where individuals can speak their truth, reclaim their power, and move forward with their lives.

Leticia is passionate about advancing mental health equity and strengthening community systems that support children, youth, and families. Through her role as a Board Member at the York Region Children’s Aid Society, she is committed to contributing her clinical insight, healthcare experience, and advocacy for culturally responsive care to support the well-being and protection of vulnerable children and families in the community.

Richard Kinch is a graduate of Western Ontario and a retiree from the Johnson and Johnson Family of companies where he held senior positions in several fields including Sales, Marketing, and Human Resources. His last position was Managing Director, Johnson and Johnson Vision Care, and currently is a volunteer on the Canadian Vision Care Board of Directors.

For the past 15 years as a business consultant Richard has focused on the areas of Executive Development, Team Building, and Strategic Planning.   Richard has extensive experience on not for profit Boards having chaired the Boards of York Region Children’s Aid Society, CHATS(Community & Home Assistance to Seniors) in York Region, and the Peterborough Family Counselling Services. He has also served as a Board member for the United Way of Peterborough and volunteered with the Youth Justice Commission in York Region as part of Project Springboard.

Tahir Shafiq P.Eng, FEC is a senior manager with 20 years of experience in business development, engineering and governance. He is skilled in developing national and global strategic business plans for multinational high-tech companies and has managed various international teams and strategic partnerships. He has been serving on several regional and national not-for-profit organizations’ boards since 2009.

Tahir has received special awards from the Ontario and the Canadian Governments and Professional Engineers of Ontario, recognizing his commitment to community service. He holds an MBA from Adelphi University in New York, specialized training in International Business at Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona and holds a Master in Management Sciences and Bachelor of Science in Engineering degrees from the University of the Punjab, Lahore. Tahir is a designated Professional Engineer, as well as a Fellow of Engineers Canada.

Tim Flemming is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Investments. He is also the President of Flemming & Associates Ltd, specializing in consulting in the areas of process improvement and solution implementation. Tim held various senior positions with Sears Canada since 1998, including Senior Vice President of Procurement, National Financial Manager and Director, Internal Audit.

Tim is a graduate of economics from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Chartered Professional Accountant.  Tim has volunteered with a number of youth and sport initiatives within York Region for over 30 years.

Zeeshan Syed is a senior executive in the natural resources and emerging critical minerals industry. He is responsible for driving strategy, corporate growth, and leading environmental, social, and governance investing strategies, with a particular focus on accelerating the transition to a net-zero economy.

With over twenty years of executive leadership experience, he has helped governments, leading institutional investors and multinational corporations understand how political factors shape energy markets, regulatory systems, and investment decisions.

Zeeshan has also spent more than a decade focused on public-private partnerships and management in the public service, the nonprofit sector, and politics. He has been a political advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada and to UN Under-Secretary-General Ibrahim Gambari at the United Nations Secretariat.

Zeeshan is an active member of global youth empowerment initiatives and has been a coach and mentor to startups in the innovation ecosystem throughout Latin America.

He is a graduate of economics and international relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.