top of page

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

6.png

Diana Mihaela

Baranga

Executive Director &
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.

3.png

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. 

Nicole Genereaux.png

Nicole

Genereaux

Head of Program Success and Curriculum

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

4.png

Abdaal Mazhar

Shafi

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.

2.png

Céline Godard

Aron

Head of Operations & Development

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

2.png

Meet Our Board of Directors

Salima.png

Salima

Lhessani

Board Chair

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

Entrepreneur, business and digital strategy

Georgia.png

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.

Teacher, Vanguard High School

Montreal, Quebec

Seb.png

Sébastien

Cabana

Board Treasurer

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

Vice President Finance & CFO AC Life

Air Canada

meghan.png

Meghan

Callan

Board Director

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.

School Counsellor, Individual Learning Center

Whitehorse, Yukon

Liard.png

Liard

McMillan

Board Director

Liard is a teacher at the Individual Learning Center (ILC) in Whitehorse, Yukon. He is also the former Chief of the Liard First Nation and has an extensive experience working in politics. 

Former Chief of the Liard First Nation. Teacher, Individual Learning Center, Whitehorse, Yukon

bottom of page