Leadership Team
Tom Abel
Tom’s passion for the nonprofit sector is rooted both in relationships he’s built on the frontlines and his fascination with the role it can play in inciting systemic change. He is currently caught up in the world of work as the employment centre supervisor at one of Toronto's largest youth drop-ins, and recently as a community organizer with the Fight for $15 and Fairness campaign. A graduate of the MA program in political science at the University of Toronto, his research focused on the mobilization of marginalized groups to transform social policy. He views himself as an emerging authority on Belgian beer, has a half decent jump shot, and wields a Seinfeld analogy for any occasion.
Christa Romaldi
Christa recently began a new role as Associate Director at the Students Commission of Canada where she supports the team to engage youth in making change, gather youth voice to inform policy an decision-making, and tell the story of impact of youth programs. With an academic background in history, literature, and international development, it’s no surprise that Christa loves reading, writing and traveling. She also loves highly competitive trivia games, red wine, and running Tough Mudders.
Tara Mazurk
Tara is a mash-up of arts and nonprofit policy. Her journey in the visual arts opened up ways of seeing and communicating in the world, while various projects related to accessibility and mental health furthered her commitment to human rights. Tara previously held roles as the Curator for Humber College’s Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre, a consultant and writer for Canadian Artists’ Representation (CARFAC) Ontario, and the Engagement Coordinator for the Ontario Nonprofit Network. She loves anything to do with networks, creative communications, and facilitation. She is a lifelong learner and appreciates a good homemade breakfast buffet.
Frances Quintero Rawlings
Fran is a community organizer, educator and consultant. She is currently the Project Manager of Development at Samara Canada, a non- partisan charitable organization dedicated to reconnecting citizens to politics. She is passionate about social justice and working on projects that improve both the human and design experience, especially those that contribute to broader systemic change. She is a strong advocate for human rights and she has worked with multiple stakeholders in many sectors including community services, health, youth programming, civic engagement, immigrant and refugee services, and women’s rights. In 2014, she was selected as an emerging female leader in Canada to participate in the Canadian Women’s Foundation Leadership Institute in partnership with the Coady Institute at St. Francis Xavier University. Fran loves to travel and feel it is one of the best ways to gain perspective on life, culture and ethics. She's an avid cyclist, an aspiring aerialist and she loves a great read, especially historical fiction. In fall 2016 Fran will begin a Masters of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation at OCAD University.