Our people

Recognized by Forbes in 2013 as an Innovative Rising Star in Education, Healthcare and Environment, Jennifer Corriero has designed and delivered youth engagement programs since 1999 when she co-founded TakingITGlobal. Jennifer earned her BA and Masters in Environmental Studies from York University and was appointed as Adjunct Professor by the Faculty of Health.

Michael has appeared on Oprah, presented at TED, and was named one of Teen People's "Twenty Teens that will Change the World". Over the last decade, he has keynoted over 100 events, sharing his technology expertise and passion for youth engagement and educational reform to audiences in over 30 countries.

Liam is a community organizer with a background in sociology, semiotics, improvisation and environmental issues. When he is not connecting and mobilizing youth with innovative solutions to global challenges, he enjoys riding bikes, swimming to music, cooking without recipes and drinking copious volumes of tea.

Tania’s passion for global issues and youth advocacy led her to TakingITGlobal, where she supports educators in inspiring others to become global citizens. She believes education is a continuous process that is shaped not only in the classroom but also by our lived experiences. When she's not connecting and mobilizing educators and youth to act on global challenges, you can find her sharing memes with her friends.

Originally from Mexico City, Edgar arrived to Canada in 2009 to study Graphic Design at Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology. Currently, he is one of the several artistic minds at TIG, working mostly for print and web design purposes as well as providing technical assistance. Big coffee drinker, foodie, animal and nature lover, and a fan of lifting heavy things.

Silvia is TIG's accounting assistant. She obtained a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. At TIG she is part of a team that is responsible for making sure that the flow of cost and revenue between the various projects is accurately accounted for and managed.

Susanna has a passion for numbers. Her tireless efforts keep the TIG team on track with their financials and reporting . She is a chartered professional accountant with many years of experience. In her spare time she loves to cook and spend quality time with her children.

After having worked and studied in several different cities around the world, Adrian is ready to bring his knowledge and multilingual skills to share an impact on youth development internationally. Inspired by his volunteer work in Quito, Ecuador and by his two younger brothers, he is passionate about developing the youth movement one step at a time.

Mali is a recently retired teacher with 35 years experience as a classroom teacher. Over the past 10 years, she has used ICT and successfully integrated literacy and content area curriculum to have her students connect, communicate and collaborate with several classes from around the world. Mali used TakingITGlobal content and projects to create authentic learning opportunities to her students.

From Ecuador, Cristian came to Canada when he was young and that's where he used his first computer. Since then, he has become so fond of them that his degree is in Computer Science. He likes how TIG empowers youth to understand and act on the world's greatest challenges through the use of technology and as a web developer he would like to keep helping with this greater cause.

Waukomaun is an Ojibwe from Wasauksing First Nation. He has a background in the television and film industry and has travelled across Canada documenting and sharing inspiring stories from Indigenous communities across the country. He loves to experience the outdoors by camping, fishing, learning traditional survival techniques, and connecting with Mother Nature… and video games!

Mitch is an urban Kanien’kehá:ka man with family from Ohsé:ken (Six Nations of the Grand River). Mitch is a graduate of the Environmental Studies program at York University. Mitch helped to develop the Whose Land app alongside a great team. He currently works on a number of projects at TakingITGlobal. Mitch is passionate about music, language (Kanien'keha), and Indigenous rights.

Having lived in several African countries during her early life has sparked Filsan's passion for participating in the creation of a more sustainable world. This resulted in her completion of an undergraduate degree in International Development and Globalization at the University of Ottawa. Filsan's time volunteering as a facilitator in Tanzania also propelled her belief in youth empowerment and engagement as a means of development.

Dallas is an Indigenous educator, community builder, and social innovator. His greatest goal in life is to be a role model for Indigenous youth and to help bring the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. In his spare time, Dallas love biking, swimming, jogging, long boarding, and going for long walks.

Nigit'stil is of Gwich'ya Gwich'in First Nations ancestry and is based out of Denendeh, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. She is passionate about politics and engaging with her community, with a focus on strengthening and empowering youth voices and growth. Cooking and food are also big passions for her and she loves to share food with those she loves.

Magdalena is Coast Salish from Stol:o Nation, born and raised in Vancouver, BC. From being a part of a dance company in New York, to a non-profit in Vancouver, Magdalena is excited to take her experience in Aboriginal business and apply it at Connected North! As Magdalena loves networking and working with people, she is excited to contribute in making a difference in Aboriginal youth’s lives.

Kim believes in the transformative power of diversity and connectedness, a passion which was sparked during her travels across the globe. Her interest in culture and languages led her to complete a BA in International Development Studies at McGill University and a research fellowship in social isolation, both of which reinforced her belief that youth empowerment is the key to building a better future.

Melissa is driven by a passion for global economic equality and a strong belief that today’s youth will create a more unified future. Her work over the past 14 years in marketing communications and project management has led her to work on initiatives spanning the globe. As a Program Manager at TIG, she will leverage her expertise and acquired skills in hopes of creating lasting impacts in our communities.

Michael's role at TIG involves serving Connected North partner school communities as well as involving Indigenous youth throughout Turtle Island in leading projects supported by the Rising Youth Community Service Fund. He also loves to travel and has visited Peru, Netherlands, France, Belgium and Germany. On his spare time, Michael enjoys boxing, hockey, lacrosse and other sports.

Kayla is a Indigenous educator who was raised in Pinehouse Lake, located in northern Saskatchewan. She has a Bachelor of Education degree courtesy of University of Saskatchewan. She works towards inspiring and encouraging Indigenous youth to believe in themselves and follow their own dreams. Kayla also enjoys working out and spending time outdoors fishing, quadding, and boating with loved ones.

Anusa is experienced in project management and policy analysis. She is passionate about community involvement and volunteerism, primarily community & civic engagement, and youth, racial, and gender inequality. Anusa holds a BSc in Environmental Science. In her spare time she loves traveling the world, reading fiction, and trying new food.

Ashley holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and is a proud Indigenous woman of Ojibwe and Métis heritage on her father’s side and Filipino heritage on her mother’s side. She is a natural storyteller and public figure whose story has been featured in many outlets. In her spare time, she daydreams of becoming a thrice published Indigenous economic development expert/famous stand-up comedian.

Shavonté is a passionate community activist with the hopes to continue to help others find the resources needed to help themselves. This local Nova Scotian Rapper/Songwriter has had the privilege to witness first hand power of community and togetherness and hopes to see it continue to be explored through her position as TIG Nova Scotia's Youth Engagement Activator!

Tinisha's love of mysteries and problem solving led her to I.T where she has found an endless number of interesting technologies to explore. She likes the way TIG uses technology to touch the lives of people in remote communities, making the world a larger place. Lover of puns, coffee and gardening, Tinisha finds the adventure in each day.

Amira is a Youth Engagement Activator in the province of Quebec. She has a Master in International Studies - specialization in culture, conflicts and peace and has been working on the rights of return of the Palestinian refugees. Amira is very passionate about traveling, creating project, fashion and sharing love!

Sarah has a background in research with youth across Atlantic Canada and using unique methods to help youth share their journeys to impact change. Her educational experiences in psychology and mental health services influenced her passion towards improving programs, education, and awareness in this area. In her free time Sarah loves yoga, being at the beach, and listening to music.

Caitlin is from the island of Newfoundland and has a background in Folklore and performance art which instilled in her a love of legends, lore and the sea. Caitlin is passionate about cultivating the concepts of identity, culture and a strong sense of place in young people. When not on the clock, Cait enjoys making music, poetry, foraging wild foods and swimming.

After graduating from Western University in 2013, Jay worked as a facilitator in Pearl Lagoon, Nicaragua. It was here that she developed her passion for International Development and youth engagement. While Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have become her primary means of communication, you can always find her dancing her way around Toronto, so don’t be afraid to say hello!

Jeevana has a background in education, management and human resources. Her passion in equality and providing opportunities for all is the driving force behind her joining TIG's team. Outside of her obsessive reading and eating, you can often find Jeevana taking long drives along under explored routes in our beautiful country.

Umairah is a graduate from the University of Toronto, with a focus on Biology and Environmental Management. Umairah is passionate about education, health equality, and children's rights and is always looking for ways to volunteer in the community. When not at work, Umairah can be found reading books that offer insights to current and historical world events, binge-watching Grey's Anatomy (for the millionth time), or planning her next travel destination!

Lauren has grown up travelling and living around the world. Originally from Newfoundland and Labrador, she completed a BA in Political Science with a focus in International Relations and Human Rights from Concordia University. She is currently completing graduate studies in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at University of Toronto. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys cooking, baking, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.

Garett is a proud LGBTQ2+ Metis who has devoted his life to serving the people of the North, his home and native land. Before he started making a difference with Rising Youth and TIG, he attended the University of Ottawa in the Honours Bachelors of Social Sciences program and previously worked in NWT Politics. In his spare time he enjoys reading, karaoke, FOOD, being on the land, comedy, chess, film and volunteering in his home community of Yellowknife, NWT.

Justine is a communications and marketing strategist for the social impact space and has worked with organizations all around the world. She also recently launched Living Hyphen, an emerging magazine that explores the experiences of people living in between cultures across different diasporic communities. Justine’s mission is to stir the conscience and spur social change.

I am very passionate about giving back and supporting those who want to make a change. I was once mentored and able to develop the confidence to utilize the greatness within me. Over the last several years, I have worked closely with several organizations and all types of youth demographics and gotten to witness people turn to leaders. I intend to keep working towards this and helping activate the greatness within our communities.