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We are a group of individuals with diverse personal and professional experiences, working together towards the same goal: to enable youth from historically marginalized communities to own their future by designing programs that center their voices and experiences. You can hover over each photo to learn more about us!

Meet Our Core Team

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Diana Mihaela

Baranga

Co-founder,
Head of Learning Experience

Diana’s main responsibility is to build learning programs that serve the needs and centre the voices of learners and their families and communities.

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Nicole

Genereaux

Program Success

Manager

Nicole works closely with teachers, supporting them throughout the implementation and execution of the You(th) Explore Program.

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Céline Godard

Aron

Co-founder, Head of Operations & Development

Céline works closely with corporate partners that financially support UpstartED to ensure we continue subsidizing our learning programs.

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Misha

Sethi

Program Success

Advisor

Misha leverages her expertise in Social-Emotional Learning to guide educators implementing the You(th) Explore program inside their classrooms for he first time. 

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Abdaal Mazhar

Shafi

Co-founder, Head of Technology & Partnerships

Abdaal develops the technology and systems necessary for the implementation of UpstartED's programs. He also works closely with key funding and community partners to scale UpstartED's impact.

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Leopoldo Miguel

Mendoza

Operations

Coordinator

Leopoldo is responsible for the production and delivery of the You(th) Explore program materials. He leverages his expertise in project management and logistics to ensure each school can launch on time!

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Meet Our Board of Directors

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Salima

Lhessani

Board Chair

Salima is an entrepreneur, business strategy and customer experience expert.

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Georgia

Kiriakos

Board Secretary

Georgia is a High School teacher, Cycle 1, Vanguard School Montreal. She works with students who learn differently and those who experience learning disabilities.

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Sébastien

Cabana

Board Treasurer

Sébastien is Vice President, Finance & CFO, AC Life at Air Canada.

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Meghan

Callan

Board Member

Meghan is a School Counsellor at the Individual Learning Center (ILC) in Whitehorse, Yukon. She supports dozens of youth in their journey to graduating high school.

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