Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is responsible for the overall governance of YES. A talented group of qualified community volunteers provides our strategic leadership and stewardship. The following individuals are the current members of our Board of Directors.
Rami El Jurdi
Rami holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance & Accounting) from Carleton University and is both a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Business Valuator (CBV).
Rami has volunteered for several not for profits including the United Way and was involved in the Ride to Conquer Cancer. He is passionate about the YES mission to change lives forever by creating safer, more prosperous and stronger communities.
Rami El Jurdi
Chair
Christine Discola
Christine has over 25 years of experience in HR, and prior to that, had spent several years in Consumer Banking at Citibank. Christine studied Economics and Sociology at the University of Toronto, and holds a Global Professional Human Resources designation (“GPHR”) as well as a Certificate in Leadership Development from UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Christine is passionate about the mission of YES as it speaks to her commitment to developing tomorrow’s leaders and citizens of our communities. As a Mom with 2 grown children, she is eager to help an organization provide opportunities to youth and support their well being so they can thrive.
Christine Discola
Vice Chair
Julie Crothers, Vice-Chair
Julie is currently Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Coleford Investment Management. She was previously Vice President at Jones Collombin Investment Counsel Inc.. Julie is active in the community and has volunteered with several not for profit organizations. She is the Chair of Annual Events for the Havergal College Old Girls Committee and is a member of the Michael Wilson Society at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
As a Board Member of YES I wish to contribute advice and provide positive creative strategies for promoting youth employment.
I have seen first-hand what a little help can do to make a significant difference to lives. At YES, it is inspiring to see the vast amount of support and help they give to change so many lives each year.
Julie Crothers
Past Chair
Kofi Achampong
Kofi has done extensive research in various areas including with the Osgoode Hall Law Black Law Students Association, and has published work including “ A Law & Economics Approach to the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights Agreement “, “You Are Your Brother’s Keeper: the Related Employer Provision of the Employment Standards Act, 2000”, and is an Active Member of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, Advocacy Team. And is a founding member of the Black Muslim Initiative, a grass-roots advocacy, research and social services non-profit.
Kofi holds a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, and a B.A. Hons. in International Relations from the University of Toronto.
Kofi has extensive experience working in communities and helping disadvantaged youth and he feels passionately about the vision of YES which in turn will help create a great Canada.
Kofi Achampong
Ravi Nookala
Ravi was recently named amongst “The top 25 CEO’s in Canada” and holds an MBA and an Institute of Corporate Directors certification from the Rotman School of Management – University of Toronto.
Ravi has been involved in charitable efforts focused on children at Sony through “Make a Wish Foundation” and supporting Hospitals for Sick Children’s across Canada through Glentel. Ravi is also passionate about skills for youth employment and community service. YES provides youth with the tools to succeed in their career & life which in turn helps to build a stronger community & country. “If we are to reach real peace in this world… we shall have to begin with youth.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Ravi Nookala
Byron Sonberg
As Managing Director at Goodmans LLP for much of his career until retirement in 2022, Byron was responsible for administrative services including Client and Office Services, Finance, Human Resources, and Technology. He joined the firm as Controller with experience both in public accounting and industry.
We must enable those who can be self-sufficient to be so; we have it as our moral duty. Disadvantaged and vulnerable youth often need support to achieve that self-sufficiency. Once the support is provided, everyone is the beneficiary of those efforts. YES’s work as the Canadian youth employment leader is so important. It is an honour to be a part of YES.
Byron Sonberg
Tieu-Minh
Tieu-Minh
Sandra Waechter
She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Bellwoods Centres for Community Living and previously was a Board Member of the George Hull Centre for Families and Children.
She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA,CA) and holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Sandra holds a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Toronto.
She is excited to contribute to empowering youth through improved access to opportunities and services, and assisting them in becoming self-sufficient, contributing members of the community.
Sandra Waechter
MBA, CPA, CA, ICD.D
Vidushi Hora
Vidushi holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting) from Wilfrid Laurier University and is designated as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA).
As a first generation immigrant to Canada, YES’ mission of building healthy communities by empowering disadvantaged and vulnerable youth through employment strongly resonates with Vidushi.
Vidushi Hora
Matt Ferrone
Matt holds an HBA from the Ivey School of Business and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
I believe YES has a significant positive impact by offering thoughtful assistance and opportunities that can dramatically change the trajectory of young people’s lives. YES is a leader in the development and empowerment of self-sufficient youth, benefitting not only those who connect with YES, but their families and communities more broadly.
Matt Ferrone
Luisa Girotto
Luisa has deep experience in the youth employment space. She spearheaded a “collective impact” NFP/government/corporate partnership model to meet Starbucks’ 10% NEET youth hiring commitment. And her team created a national coalition welcoming other employers into the model to drive scale and impact. She also has extensive experience serving on not-for-profit boards, often during periods of successful growth and transformation.
Luisa studied Political Science and French at the University of Toronto and obtained a çertificat, français langue seconde from Université Laval, and a Public Relations Certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Luisa grew up in one of Toronto’s Needs Improvement Areas and knows first-hand the potential that exists in these communities and the barriers she faced then, which are so much bigger now. She’s honoured to continue to serve NEET youth to achieve their goals and build the lives they deserve.
Luisa Girotto
Timothy Lang, Ex-officio Committees
YES changes lives and communities every day
There are so many talented youth who have dreams of a fulfilling and complete life for themselves and their families, yet some do not know how to get there. YES training and programs have been incredibly important in giving youth the skills, confidence, ability and a plan to succeed. For every dollar in our programs, it returns as much as $24 dollars back to economy in wages, taxes, and more. But more importantly, it is the right thing to do and helps change lives…forever.
Timothy Lang
Ex-officio Committees
