Bryan Cox - Executive Director
Bryan has 12 years of international development experience and has lived and worked in Africa, Europe, North America, Central and South East Asia, and the Middle East. He has had the opportunity to work on a diverse cross section of international programs in partnership with communities affected by poverty, conflict, and natural disasters. Most recently, he was Director for the International Rescue Committee and the CARDI consortium in Jakarta, Indonesia. Bryan joined YCI as Executive Director in August 2008 and is excited to be a part of the growing global movement in youth development.
Steve Cumming - International Programs Director
Steve joined YCI as International Programs Director in January of 2009 Having spent the past three and half years between Chad, Sierra Leone, Angola and South Sudan in field management roles, Steve has experience in a number of sectors including health, education, water and sanitation, as well as humanitarian de-mining.Steve has also worked in Sri Lanka and the West Bank in youth-focused initiatives and has an academic background in Post War Reconstruction and Social Work.
Amanda Stephens - Volunteer Program Manager
Amanda Stephens has been working with YCI for almost 5 years, currently in the role of Volunteer Program Manager responsible for the recruitment, selection, preparation and training of volunteers participating on YCI projects in Africa. With a broad range of experience in training, customer service and administration, Amanda developed a sincere interest in community development in the rural Canadian context and since shifted her focus to the global context. Amanda travelled to Kenya with YCI's first group of volunteers to assist with implementation of new programming in Mombasa. Inspired by the drive of young Canadian volunteers as well as the energy of youth overseas engaged in YCI programming, Amanda is proud to be working with Youth Challenge International.
Jessica Lockhart – Program Coordinator
Originally from northern Alberta, Jessica moved to Ontario in 2004 to attend Ryerson University. She volunteered with YCI in Vanuatu in 2006, before returning to Toronto to complete her Bachelor of Journalism. Formerly the editor of a feminist publication for young women, she has an invested interest in gender issues, both in Canada and globally. Jessica joined YCI in May of 2008 and in addition to working with both the Volunteer and International Programs teams, supports the Volunteer Action Network.
Lauren Chender - Volunteer Communications Coordinator
Lauren joined YCI in April 2009 as the Volunteer Communications Coordinator. Her love of learning and commitment to global social justice has led to work experience in Ghana and South Africa and travel on 5 continents. A graduate of McGill University and Humber College's International Project Management Program, Lauren brings experience in youth engagement and program development, a knack for organization and a strong commitment to positive change. Most recently, she co-ordinated an in-school theatre project promoting active global citizenship to students across Ontario. She is excited to support YCI's overseas volunteers throughout their preparation process.
Nucci Walsh - Program Development and Marketing Manager
From Asia to the Middle East, Nucci has lived in many different parts of the world, and now calls North America home. She joined YCI in May 2009 as the Program Development and Marketing Manager; excited with the opportunity to combine her two areas of interest, international development and marketing. Graduating with a double major in International Development Studies and Communication Studies from York University, and a post-graduate in International Marketing from Humber College, Nucci’s focus now is to help promote YCI.
Jane Baldwin - Program Development Manager
Jane first became involved with YCI in 2007 as a volunteer in Stonetown, Zanzibar. After working closely with women and youth affected by HIV, Jane developed a passion for global public health. She went back to university to complete her Master in Public Health, writing her thesis about HIV risk behaviour in South African youth. Jane returned to YCI in 2008 as a Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) intern in Ethiopia. She has continued to work for YCI in a variety of capacities based out of Toronto and New York City. Jane has a great interest in global issues and youth development. She has lived in the Netherlands, Tanzania, Germany, South Africa and Ethiopia.
Gabriela Nuñez - Administrative Coordinator
A recent graduate of Humber College’ certificate program in International Project Management (IPMP), Gabriela is highly passionate about International Development and Humanitarian Assistance. A former York University graduate, Gabriela has committed her time to volunteering and travelling to learn as much as she can about development and the scope of Canadian NGO’s and non-profit organizations. Driven by her passion for Latin American development, Gabriela recently completed an internship in Bolivia where she worked with incarcerated women at a local human rights organization. She is very excited to be working with such a great team at YCI and is eager for what her future with YCI will bring!
Adrienne Knowlton - Finance Manager Adrienne Knowlton has been YCI's Finance Manager since 1998 and has kept the organization's finances running smoothly. She works as well for a number of other Toronto based non-profits and has extensive experience in financial management for the non-profit sector.
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