Team & Supporters
The Team
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Y4Y Québec?
Meet our incredible team of movers and shakers!
Adrienne Winrow
Executive Director
A graduate of Concordia Political Science, Adrienne Winrow, Director of Y4Y, has been working in community outreach, volunteerism and non-profit organisations for many years. Her involvement in municipal politics led to her acceptance into the Cité Elles conference of 2017, an invaluable experience for young women who wish to know more about the intricacies of the political landscape in Québec, and use that knowledge to become leaders in their communities. A strong believer in continuing education, Adrienne recently attended the Workshops on Social Science Research at Concordia University, where she engaged with both youth and prominent Canadian leaders to discuss how current political realities intertwine with Canadian history, and affect citizens in their daily lives. As a parent, her commitment to ensuring positive outcomes for youth is absolute. As the Director of Y4Y, she is dedicated to the growth and success of the organisation, as it strives to support English-speaking youth across the Province.
Alexandre Pettem
(He/Him)
Executive Assistant
Alexandre received his BA from McGill University in Political Science and is proud to serve as Executive Assistant at Y4Y. Raised by a French-speaking mother and an English-speaking father, Alexandre is familiar with navigating divisions between linguistic communities. He is now a graduate student at l'Université de Montréal, giving his French side its due. Having worked in environmental startups and political parties, joining the nonprofit world is a fitting and delightful next step.
Maria Mahdessian
(She/Her)
Director of Communications
Maria is a sucker for visual communication and tends to have an eagle eye for details. She received her MA in Design Research from Bern University of the Arts in Switzerland and her BFA in Design from Concordia University in Montréal. She is interested in using her creativity, design, and communications expertise to give voice to individuals, who feel left out of society, and to raise awareness on topics of disparities in rights, basic needs, and vulnerabilities. Born in Montréal and raised in Beirut with an English-educational background Maria recognises the challenges English-speakers face while living in Québec.
Adela Kwok
(She/Her)
Project Coordinator
Born in Ontario, Adela is a filmmaker who moved to Québec to receive her B.A. in International Development from McGill. After spending a year post-grad working within the creative spaces and communities back in Toronto, she became attracted to the community building that comes with presenting a piece of art or sharing a part of yourself. The act of gathering and curating such occurrences became an integral factor to how she conceives of a project, with emphasis on intention and participant experience. With that, Adela has generated a unique and well-versed repertoire of project coordination, traversing frequently between creative and professional spaces. She hopes to use this experience at Y4Y to assist in the creation of safe spaces of opportunity and meaningful exchange for her fellow youth in Québec.
Lene Nemeh
(She/Her)
Communications Assistant & Outreach Consultant
Lene graduated from McGill University with a B.A in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. She is passionate about helping others and about mental health. A value she carries with her throughout her life is to make sure people feel included, understood, and heard. Originally Syrian, she grew up in Saudi Arabia with an English-educational background and moved to Montréal seven years ago. She has a personal connection and understands what it’s like to be an English-speaker in Québec who is struggling to feel a sense of belonging. She previously had experience being the Vice-President Advocacy of McGill Students for UNICEF and enjoyed being able to advocate for a good cause. During her time at Y4Y, she aims to advocate for her fellow English-speaking peers in Québec and raise awareness on the challenges they face.
Rayana Kalombo
(She/Her)
Events Coordinator
Rayana Kalombo is a multidisciplinary artist (poet, painter and vocalist) from Montreal. She utilises art to encourage people to express their ideas through her creative development service ‘Le Royaume Studio’. With over 200 performance experiences within the last 7 years; including CBC’s Day Break, Women’s March on Washington, Black Lives Matter and over 50 facilitated workshops within the last few years Rayana Kalombo is driven in guiding people in developing their creative abilities. Formerly serving under Maja Vodanovic as part of L’Alliance Jeunesse de Lachine as the Ministry of Women; with the mandate to shut down sex massage parlours within the Lachine region alongside the team. Rayana often finds an intersection between community work and art. Contact Rayana
Isabella Giosi
(She/Her)
Volunteer Coordinator
Isabella is currently a student at Concordia University in the Early Childhood Elementary Education program. With aspirations of becoming a teacher, Isabella has always taken an interest in helping others and joining non-profit and governmental organisations. Her previous experiences include her presidency of the Vanier College Student Association as well as being a volunteer here at Y4Y. In her spare time, Isabella enjoys spending time with her big Italian family, playing soccer and baking. She hopes to help the community in any way she can here at Y4Y.
Abbigail Whitcher
(She/Her)
Physical Wellness Liaison
Montréal
Abby is new to the city of Montréal but has lived in the Eastern Townships for most of her life. She also spent just over a year in Gatineau, where she completed a Bachelor's degree at the University of Ottawa. Her stay there was short because she had to finish her studies online during COVID. Currently, she is a first-year law student at McGill University. She's always had a passion for health and physical activity, which recently led her to obtain her personal trainer certification. After all, who doesn't like to feel good, right? Abby is excited to share what she loves with other students, so please feel free to reach out to her!
Adrian Smith
(He/Him)
Project Coordinator
Adrian is proud to be taking on the Leaders of Tomorrow project at Y4Y. Coming to Y4Y from a Director of Operations position, he facilitated team building and leadership programming for youth across Québec. Adrian has also been working in the community theatre scene since 2016 and is currently directing a musical in the Broadway and Beyond program at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts. In this capacity, Adrian has built a strong working philosophy of compassion and student-led learning. He loves working in a collaborative space with young people as they explore their skills, passions, and interests.
Cecilia Eraso
(She/Her)
Grant Writer
Cecilia is passionate about supporting youth and community organisations in Québec. With experience as a Project Coordinator and Event Planner, she's eager to put her writing skills to the test at Y4Y Québec. She graduated with a B.A in Political Science with a focus on Latin American politics, which included research on human rights and marginalised communities. Her academic formation and research group participation, equipped her with the necessary tools to contribute to revitalisation efforts. She looks forward to contributing to community development by working in the grant application process.
Bon
(She/Her)
Financial Wellness Liaison
Québec City
Besides being a full-time college student, Bon is a passionate volunteer, mental health first aider, avid reader, as well as a delicate lover who has an enchanting, rather “pathological” love for Taylor Swift. Over the years, Bon has been working with various organisations, and for initiatives dedicated to acts of kindness and community service. She previously had experience being a delegate at the 2024 McGill Model United Nations where she was profoundly inspired by the importance of transformational leadership to be the voice for the voiceless. As a Wellness Liaison for Y4Y Québec, Bon has had the privilege of witnessing the life-changing power of altruism and the sense of fulfilment that comes from helping others. During her time at Y4Y Québec, she urges to use her unique talent as a force for good to invest in others to make a difference in the community.
Blessing
Financial Wellness Liaison
Québec City
I'm Tchemtchoua Dassi Blessing, I'm a Christian and I come from the western region of Cameroon and I speak my native language Ghomala. Along with that, I'm learning how to speak Yoruba, Lingala and Zulu. I am in the process of completing my DEC in health science at Champlain st Lawrence. I have always been passionate about contributing to community service and helping others as much as I can.
The Board of Directors
Madeleine Lawler
President
Madeleine was raised in Montréal but has strong ties to the English-speaking community in the Thetford Mines area. She graduated from Carleton University in Ottawa with a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management and then returned to Montréal to obtain a Bachelor of Laws at Université de Montréal. She currently lives in the Outaouais region and works as a public servant. Madeleine otherwise enjoys being outdoors or exploring new places.
Michael Lecchino
Vice President
Michael Lecchino is a quadrilingual student from Montréal, Québec. He currently works for Parks Canada and volunteers as the president of his borough’s youth council. He was recently selected to represent Canadian youth as an Official Delegate and Communications Coordinator at the 2022 G7 Youth Summit (Y7) in Berlin, Germany. Passionate about youth advocacy, Michael is excited to address pressing issues and strategize possible solutions to ensure the future wellbeing of youth across Québec.
Hayley Campbell
Secretary
Hayley is a graduate of the business administration program at Bishop's University and is a member of the board of directors for Youth for Youth Québec. She has a strong sense of belonging to her community and hopes that with this group, other English-speaking youth will feel more engaged with Québec Society. She is involved with the Pontiac Agricultural Society and Alpha Phi. She was previously the Ambassador of the Shawville Fair. In 2018, Hayley was honored with the QCGN Young Québecers Leading the Way award for her extensive record of community service.
Caleb Owusu-Acheaw
Treasurer
Caleb is currently a graduate student at the University of Ottawa in Public Administration. A born and raised Montréaler, he holds a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University in Political Science and Economics. His community and political involvement started at Vanier College as the treasurer of the CEGEP student association, held a few executive positions at undergraduate associations then with the Commission-Jeunesse du Parti libéral du Québec as a regional president. Although brief, Caleb has worked for various parts of the civil service such as Canada Border Services Agency and the Library of Parliament. He remains active with his ethnic Ghanaian Presbyterian church in Montréal as an administrative assistant. His interests include reading, writing, playing soccer and basketball, sustainable development, constitutional law and has recently taken up jogging. Caleb is proficient in English and French and comfortable in the Twi language. His desire to get involved with Y4Y comes with wanting to make young Anglophone Québecers feel welcome at home in the province while encouraging bilingualism in their lives.
Corey Hoare
Director
Corey is a Graduate Recruitment and Outreach Officer at McGill University. Having completed a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Concordia University and a Master’s degree in Administration from HEC Montréal, Corey participated in a variety of student well-being initiatives as a student. As a lifelong resident of the West Island, Corey currently volunteers with the West Island CIUSSS as a Citizen Partner. Passionate about politics and society, Corey aims to make Québec a more inclusive and prosperous place for all those who call it home. Outside of work and volunteering, Corey enjoys photography, hiking, and is an avid reader.
Jamie Fabian
Director
Jamie is obtaining a Bachelor's degree from Concordia University, majoring in Public Policy and minoring in History. In addition to Politics and History, Jamie is dedicated to physical and mental wellbeing, always ensuring he has time to both exercise his body and work on personal growth. Jamie has experience working for the House of Commons and currently works as a Commissioner for the English Montréal School Board, holding elected office at just 20 years old. Learning about Y4Y at the 2018 Bishop’s forum, Jamie decided to become a board member in order to support the principles of Bilingualism and representation of youth in Québec.
Sufia Langevin
Director
Sufia was born and raised in the West Island of Montreal and is currently attending Bishop's University in the beautiful Eastern Townships, studying Secondary Education and Social Studies. A recipient of the 3M National Student Fellowship for Leadership and Innovation, she is involved in student advocacy, having served both as Equity Representative and Vice President Academic Affairs of the student union at BU, as well as co-chair of the Bishop's University Joint Senate and Board Task Force on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. She has a strong passion for community-building practices and creating spaces that cultivate joy while empowering others. In her life, she loves to read, experience nature, and laugh.
Joanna Kanga
Director
Joanna holds a bachelor’s in political science and double minor in Economics and International Development from McGill University. Her public service and community involvement started early as a political volunteer and constituency youth council member. She is a former outreach and event coordinator of Black Girls Gather, an initiative she had recently launched with a group of dynamic Black women, in partnership with the West Island Black Community Association, designed to be a safe space for Montréal Black girls' empowerment through literature. Her desire to get involved with Y4Y comes from a passion for public service and a desire as a bilingual francophone to strengthen the bridge between the English and French speaking communities across Québec.
Charlotte Crober
Director
Originally from rural Southwestern Ontario, Charlotte has a bilingual honours degree in sociology from Glendon College at York University. Having dreamed of being bilingual since her childhood, she moved to Québec to broaden her knowledge and appreciation of the French language and culture. Nonetheless, she cannot deny that English will always be close to her heart. Her passions include cultural exchange, environmental sustainability, music, learning about basically anything, and introducing people to other people.
Mary Lynne Loftus
Director
Born and raised in Montréal in a multicultural family, Mary Lynne was raised with a deep love for the city’s multiculturalism. During CEGEP, she had the opportunity to attend Bishop’s Forum and her connection with other passionate English-speaking youth motivated her to become further involved in her community. Mary Lynne served as a Daughters of the Vote delegate in 2021 and represented Canadian youth at the UN Commission on the Status of Women’s 65th session. Mary Lynne holds a BA from McGill University in Political Science and Communication Studies and an MPP from University College Dublin with a specialisation in Citizenship, Rights & Policy. Mary Lynne is currently a Consultant in Deloitte Canada’s Human Capital Workforce Transformation practice, and she volunteers with the firm’s Community Advisory Projects, which provides pro bono consulting to non-profit organisations.
Latesha Fequet
Director
Latesha is an Anglophone from the Lower North Shore of Québec. She ventured to Edmonton, Alberta to complete a Social Work Degree at MacEwan University but since has moved back to the Lower North Shore. She is passionate about mental health and hopes to bring more resources and information to the community and youth of the Lower North Shore. In her current role as the Senior Manager of Mental Health at the Coasters Association, she is able to further pursue her passions. As a mom of 2, Latesha is committed to supporting the growth of the region and providing avenues for youth to express themselves and become leaders in their communities.
Funders
We would like to thank our funders for their generous contributions to Y4Y Québec.
Without them, our work would not be possible.
