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.

Mali is a retired teacher with 35 years experience as a classroom teacher. Over the past 18 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 collaborates with museums, art galleries, artists and a variety of individuals and institutions to develop content for students in remote areas of Canada for the Connected North program. In her spare time, Mali loves to travel, take photos and journal her experiences in scrapbooks.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Originally from Newfoundland and Labrador, Lauren grew up travelling and living around the world. As a lifelong learner, she completed a BA in Political Science with a focus in International Relations and Human Rights from Concordia University, postgraduate studies in Social Responsibility and Sustainability at University of Toronto, and Baking and Pastry Studies from George Brown College. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys cooking, baking, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.

Cory Herc comes from a rich history of community organizing and non-profit work in Halifax, Guelph, and most recently Moncton - where he currently resides. He works there as a Youth Engagement Activator with Rising Youth, engaging with his drive to help youth engage meaningfully with the issues that their communities face. His passions include food and climate justice, exploring new avenues of connectivity and resiliency in rural and isolated communities.

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.

Born in France from globetrotter parents from West Africa, Aida immigrated to Canada as a toddler. She strongly believes youth are key agents of transformative change. In her formative years, she developed a great passion for community work, in particular with underrepresented and immigrant populations. Aida is ready to bring her bilingual experience to the team and help empower youth.

Recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2018 as the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, Tanjit has worked tirelessly to give back to her community. Tanjit has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Manitoba and is now pursuing a Masters in Business Administration at the I.H. Asper School of Business. She loves meeting youth who want to make their communities brighter with the help of the #RisingYouth Community Service Grants!

Andrea was born and raised in Saskatoon and has a huge passion for youth-led initiatives and community building. She has a background in community engaged research and social sciences from the University of Saskatchewan and currently serves as the Principal Director at Chokecherry studios. As a documentary filmmaker, and visual artist she has a personal passion for capturing and sharing impactful stories.

Jayson Moore is an OCT certified teacher by trade and holds an MA in Child Study and Education. His focus on culturally relevant pedagogy and social justice education led him to the Connected North program where he works as at engaging educators through curriculum-aligned virtual field trips and professional learning opportunities. Jayson is able to utilize his years of teaching experience abroad and his work with Northern communities as a researcher to help provide support to the TIG Team.

Anne-Marie Côté holds a Master's in Organizational Psychology, but began working with youth as a classroom teacher. She is committed to building engaging and empowering spaces to learn for all. Working for TakingITGlobal, Anne-Marie heads up the Connected North Francophone program and coordinates the personal and professional development of staff.

Brenda is Ontario educator with an M.Ed in Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning from OISE who has held many roles over the past 32 years at the school, district, and provincial level. She is thrilled to have joined the TIG team as an Education Coordinator with Connected North and Code to Learn. Brenda believes that technology has the power to unite people, expand worlds, make change, amplify knowledge, and empower learners of all ages. The best days start with skiing fresh tracks with her family and great coffee!

Eva was raised between France and Canada, leading her to study and work in different countries in the last few years. She completed a MSc degree in Conflict Resolution and Governance at the University of Amsterdam in 2017 during which she conducted a research on the humanitarian response to the refugee crisis in Northern France and volunteered with a charity organization in Calais. Eva's field experience has reinforced her strong belief that youth are key players in developing any sustainable development initiative.

Khayla comes mostly from the world of social innovation and social entrepreneurship. She has a real knack for creating something new from just an idea, whether this be a new program, business or strategy. Khayla's experience in equity-centered design ensures that social justice and the needs of the community she's serving is at the centre of whatever she's building. Her approach to working with community is rooted in trust and reciprocity.

Meryem has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and graduated last October from a graduate financial services program. Over the past 8 years, Meryem has worked in different fields such as Account Representative in Shenzhen, China; working for the United Nation in New York representing Moroccan Youth; and being a client service representative at MD Financial Management in Ottawa, Canada. Meryem is also very passionate about cultures, art and women empowerment.

Combining the dynamic character and enthusiasm of a recent graduate with several years of experience, Gabriel is the Communications and Impact Storytelling Manager at #RisingYouth. As such, he has the privilege of sharing to the world the unique stories of passionate youths devoted to making a difference in their community. Outside from work, Gabriel loves to explore the trails, lakes, rivers and mountains of Quebec, the province he calls home.

Katie has a background in education and has earned a Bachelor of Education from the University of Prince Edward Island. Katie is passionate about community-building, education, and travel. A fun fact about Katie is that she loves to go on nature walks with her puppy Winnie.

Christina is passionate about supporting youth to take up leadership and make positive changes they would like to see in their own communities. Christina is a graduate of the Strategic, Foresight and Innovation program at OCAD University. Previously, Christina worked on TIG's Rwanda Huguka Dukore project, and is excited to re-join TIG's Rising Youth Project to contribute to work that has a tangible impact on young people. Christina loves traveling, a good adventure, watching comedies and solving complex and simple problems including playing mobile games.

Becky is an educator that has taught in Pangnirtung and Iqaluit for 5 1/2 years, as well as, a year in the Lambton Kent District School Board in Sarnia. As an educator that has taught in Nunavut, she is very excited to be able to bring such a valuable tool to teachers and students to gain authentic learning experiences. Becky is a fitness enthusiast and when she's not wrangling her 2-year-old son Sawyer, nurturing her newest son Sutton, and spending quality time with her husband, Brandon.

Natasha is a classroom teacher with 8 years teaching experience. Most recently, she has returned to Iqaluit, Nunavut where she used TakingItGlobal content to help her students make connections and be able to participate in authentic learning opportunities not usually available to rural areas. She works for TIG to help other schools across Nunavut have the same access to these learning opportunities. In her spare time, Natasha enjoys cooking, reading a good book, travelling and spending time with her family and friends.

With an educational background in psychology, sociology and social service work, Jessica believes education is a continuous process that is shaped not only in the classroom but also by our lived experiences. She approaches life with an open heart and willingness to learn and is always up for a good chat and a cup of tea!

Loizza is a global motivational speaker and social activist. In 2018 Loizza was recognized as a Top 25 Canadian Immigrant and received the YMCA Peace Medal for her advocacy surrounding mental health. Currently, Loizza is in her final year of completing her H BSc. at the University of Toronto in Mental Health, International Development and Media Studies. Loizza is passionate about helping youth develop their leadership skills and empowering youth to create positive social change within their communities.

Katie Burch has worked as an Instructional Technology Coach for the past twelve years with Public Schools, First Nations Schools, and Private Non-Profit organizations. She brings her tech knowledge and best practices to her lessons and professional development sessions. Katie has taught in remote areas of Canada and continues to work with remote communities in her role as Education & Partnership Coordinator for Connected North. She is also a Google Certified Trainer and regularly works with schools in implementing GSuite into the classroom.

Karalyn is from Fort Providence, Northwest Territories. She is Dene from the Deh Gah Gotie Kue First Nation and is situated right by the mighty Mackenzie River. Karalyn is a recent graduate from Carleton University and completed a BA in Political Science with a minor in Indigenous Studies. She is a proud mother to a beautiful four-year-old boy and now resides in her home community. Karalyn is extremely thankful for unconditional love and support of her family along her life journey, which now brings her to work for TakingITGlobal as. school coordinator for Connected North.