Executive Team

 

 

Pierre Côté
President & Executive Director, Quebec

As President and Executive Director of Pathways Quebec, Pierre Côté leads the operations and expansion efforts in the province of Quebec. Pierre has served for the past 24 years as the leader of Toujours ensemble, a Montreal based non-profit organization focused on supporting youth success; it is also the host agency of the Pathways to Education program in Montreal. 

Pierre is well positioned to lead the growth of Pathways in the province of Quebec. In addition to raising the profile of Toujours ensemble and establishing it as an essential community service, Pierre has also overseen the development and implementation of numerous youth focused programs in the areas of education and violence prevention. 

In 2008, Pierre was honoured to join Mr. Jaques Ménard as a member of the “Groupe d’action sur la persévérance et la réussite scolaires au Québec”, a team of provincial leaders, experts and advocates promoting the importance of improving high school graduation rates for young people in Quebec.

 

David Garland 
Vice President, Finance & Administration

As the VP Finance and Administration for Pathways Canada, David Garland oversees all matters relating to Pathways’ finances, human resources, IT and administration. After starting his career at KPMG, David turned to the technology sector as a controller having earned his certifications as Management Accountant, Chartered Accountant and Public Accountant. He quickly moved on to more senior positions in the same sector, most recently as CFO for TSX Venture Company Empirical Inc. 

David earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Accounting at the University of Waterloo where he was also an active member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He has maintained strong ties to Sigma Chi since graduation, serving both as Vice Chair/Treasurer Sigma Chi Canadian Foundation and Secretary Treasurer of Waterloo Sigma Chi Properties. David is also a dedicated volunteer for the Heart and Stroke Foundation having held numerous Board positions since 2003, and actively continues that work today.

 

Christy Moorhead
Director, Strategic Initiatives

As the Director of Strategic Initiatives, Christy leads the planning and implementation of cross-functional projects that support the achievement of Pathways goals. From her 20 year career in product management and product marketing, Christy brings a wealth of experience in managing projects that span different functional areas.  

Christy started her career in market research at Information Resource Inc. From there she moved her focus to product management for technology companies, working in at Hewlett Packard, Fast Forward Networks, Inktomi, and JacobsRimell (now Amdocs).  Christy transitioned to the non-profit sector when she moved to Canada in 2009. Her background in technology has led her to be passionate about the use of technology in education.   With an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Christy’s work and personal life have seen her live in nine cities across the globe. 

Elizabeth Sharp
Director, Marketing & Communications

As the Director of Marketing and Communications, Elizabeth is responsible for engaging Canadians in understanding and supporting Pathways' work. Liz has a career in marketing and communications that spans over 20 years and includes working for several leading international brands.

Having graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology and, subsequently, from the Schulich School of Business with a Master of Business Administration, Liz began her marketing career in the private sector at Federal Express Canada as Marketing Analyst., Liz subsequently moved to Labatt Breweries of Canada where she was promoted to marketing and brand management positions of increasing responsibility over a nine-year period. Having volunteered her professional expertise to non-profits in the arts and social service sectors, Liz decided to make a career shift to the not-for-profit sector and, in 2005, began working at Habitat for Humanity Canada as Vice President, Marketing and Development. In 2010, Liz joined the team at Pathways to Education. As a mother of two young children, Liz is passionate about supporting the potential of all youth through education.

 

Cathy Yanosik
Vice President & Chief Development Officer 

As the Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Cathy is responsible for building philanthropic support for Pathways' priorities from individuals, corporations, foundations. Cathy is a very successful resource development professional having worked for over 20 years in the advancement of higher education while at Queen’s University, the University of Toronto and most recently at York University. As Senior Vice-President of the York University Foundation, Cathy played a key leadership role in the successful $207 million “York to the Power of 50 Campaign”. In 2009, in recognition of her career achievements, Cathy was awarded the Manulife Financial Outstanding Achievement Award from the Canadian Council for Advancement of Education.

Prior to this, Cathy was the Associate Director, Strategic Planning and Advancement Services at the University of Toronto, during the university’s $1 billion comprehensive campaign. Before this she served her alma mater at Queen’s University in a variety of positions including leading regional mini-campaigns and a team of development officers as Manager of Capital Projects and Faculty Development.

Selim Berbatovci
Alumni Relations & Youth Engagement Advisor

As a recent graduate of the University of Windsor majoring in criminology and minoring in political science, Selim has experience in a number of areas including landscaping, media and sound production, and administrative support. While in university, Selim sat on several councils and committees as well as played intramural soccer and basketball. Selim is not new to Pathways: he brings with him several years experience as a Pathways volunteer, most recently as a member of the Research Advisory Group. He has also been a mentor at the Youth Mentorship Technology Program and spent a summer working at the Canadian Auto Workers’ Union Family Education program. 

 

Vijay Dua
Scholarship & Payroll Administrator

Vijay earned his Bachelor Degree of Science from Indian University in 1980 and for the next nine years worked in India as a Chartered Accountant and then Public Accountant. In 1999 Vijay became a Managing Partner at AVA Associates where he continued until immigrating to Canada in 2006. Using his accountancy skills, Vijay moved quickly from Accountant at Wi-lan Inc., to Controller at Empirical Inc., then Financial Controller at 80/20 Solutions Inc., and most recently as a consultant for Healthscreen Solutions Inc. Vijay is in his final year of his Certification of General Accountants from the Institute of CGA Ontario having already achieved his designation as Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He is a Life Member of “Child Care India” and volunteers at the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.

 

Laura Gomes
Development Coordinator 

In her capacity of Development Coordinator, Laura is responsible for cultivation and stewardship activities, major gift fundraising support, communications, and liaison between Pathways program sites and the national office. With a Bachelor of Commerce from Ryerson University, Laura started her career as a Marketing Coordinator first at The Toronto Star and then at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. In 2006 Laura moved to Japan where she was the Head English Teacher at Peppy Kids Club. Returning to Toronto two years later, Laura completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Fundraising and Volunteer Management at Humber College in 2010. She first applied her skills at non-profit consulting firm The Offord Group and then joined Pathways to pursue her passion in social justice issues, education and advocacy. 

 

Rolf Gube
Director, Information Technology

Rolf is a proven information technology expert with over ten years of experience in systems implementation, networks, project management, corporate training and change management in the technology sector. His career started in the freight forwarding industry as Network Administrator at Ranger Group of Companies in 1999. He was promoted six years later to IT Manager, a post that he held for nine years. In 2008, Rolf made the move from the corporate to the not-for-profit world, joining Habitat for Humanity as Director of Information Technology. 

 

Habon Imane
Administrative Assistant, Resource Department

As the Administrative Assistant for the Resource Department, Habon is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the department from an administrative standpoint including data entry, filing and supplies. Habon brings with her the unique experience of being a 2009 graduate of the Pathways to Education program in Regent Park, which she participated in while earning her Ontario Secondary School Diploma at Jarvis Collegiate Institute. In addition to her work at Pathways Canada, Habon attends York University and is majoring in history. She enjoys watching period films, cooking and spending time with family and friends. 

 

Martha Krzic
Director, Organizational Learning

Martha is the Director of Organizational Learning where she facilitates continuous knowledge exchange and enhances learning processes across the Pathways network in support of its organizational goal. Martha has over 15 years change management experience in the financial and document management services industries. Starting at Xerox in1985 as a Telesales Manager, she quickly moved up to become Project Manager in Business Services where she managed cross-disciplinary teams in the U.S. and Canada. In 2003 Martha took her skills to the financial sector joining BMO Financial Group in 2003, first as Senior Manager of Products and Services, and most recently as Senior Manager, Business Process Development & Learning of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing where she introduced and embedded three leading industry methodologies to drive sustainability and repeatability. Martha is an Arts under-graduate of Trent University and has her Master’s Certificate in Project Management from McMaster University/George Washington University, as well as several certifications from various professional training and development courses. In addition to English, Martha speaks French, Spanish and Slovenian.

 

Diane Marrow
Associate Director, Personal Giving & Foundations

Diane has had a long career in fundraising and resource development starting at The Learning Partnership in Toronto as Director of Development and Communications, and then at Ryerson University where she supported the Campaign Cabinet to raise funds for the Faculty of Community Services. Prior to joining Pathways, Diane spent five years at the University of Toronto Libraries raising funds for the Central Library System. Before entering the field of resource development, Diane worked in residential real estate for ten years and prior to that at the former City of York Board of Education, bringing her work at Pathways full circle to the educational sector. Outside of work, Diane is a member of the Longboat Roadrunners, a Toronto running club that has Pathways as its chosen charity.

 

Nisha Pitroda
Financial Coordinator

After earning her Bachelor Degree in Commerce from Bombay University in 1989, Nisha started a career in accounting at the Tandon Group of Companies in Mumbai as Senior Accounts Assistant. With the skills gained over seven years at Tandon, Nisha moved on to be the Group Accounts Manager at Haider Store LLC, one of the leading trading, distributing, manufacturing, real estate, and travel and tour companies in the Middle East. In 2008 Nisha immigrated to Toronto, Canada where she continues to pursue her career in accounting both with her job at Pathways and with the completion of Level III of the Certified General Accountant course.

 

Melanie Ramos 
Information Service Coordinator

Melanie joined Pathways in 2010 as an Administrative Assistant and the following year became the Information Services Coordinator. In this role, she manages communication matters related to external enquiries, local program sites and Pathways Canada, as well as coordinating internal events relating to the Program department. Melanie earned her Bachelor of Arts from York University. In her third year, she joined Regent Park Community Health Centre providing administrative and clinical reception support. 

 

Lana Rozitis
Manager, Program Support 

As Manager of Program Support, Lana is responsible for providing day-to-day support for all Pathways programs across Canada and for developing national partnerships. Lana brings over 30 years experience of working with youth in various community and educational settings. For the past eight years, she was a Student Parent Support Worker (SPSW) Coordinator at the Pathways Regent Park program. Prior to this, Lana worked for the Toronto District School Board for 17 years as a Youth Counsellor in an alternative, inner-city high school designed for students who had dropped out or were at risk of dropping out of school. Lana graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) in 1976 and here started her interest in working with youth and studying art therapy. Lana’s skills and knowledge where honed as a Teacher-Therapist and then Supervisor at Youthdale Schools and Central Toronto Youth Services. In 2007, Lana earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts also from OCAD. Lana also has training in conflict mediation and is interested in Effective Supervision and Coaching. Lana is pleased to have this opportunity to share the experience, skills and knowledge she learned at Regent Park with all the Pathways programs.  

 

Tai Telesco
Development Coordinator (Maternity Leave)

After earning a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours from McGill University in 2004, Tai moved to Nicaragua where, using her fluency in Spanish, she worked as a Library Administrator. In 2007 Tai became the Human Resources Support Administrator for Bryan & Company LLP in Edmonton, Alberta, during which time she also worked as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Edmonton and Area 2008 Corporate Challenge Event. In 2009 Tai landed in Toronto where she joined Skills for Change as a Researcher/Proposal Writer, and so began the formalization of her career in fundraising. She has since become an active member of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement. In addition to English and Spanish, Tai is fluent in French and Portuguese.

 

Stacey Young
Director, Research & Evaluation

In her capacity as Director of Research and Evaluation, Stacey is responsible for analyzing and tracking the success of the various Pathways’ programs throughout the year. Stacey holds a PhD in Higher Education in Theory and Policy Studies from the University of Toronto with research interests in system design, student aid and comparative access strategies. Before joining Pathways, Stacey was a Senior Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and was lead on the development of access strategies for First Generation Students and Students with Disabilities. Prior to working for the Ontario Provincial Government, Stacey was special assistant to the President of the University of Toronto and spent several years there as a Senior Writer. In addition to her work at Pathways, Stacey is an adjunct lecturer at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto and is the Canadian representative on the Executive Committee of the European Access Network.

John Beebe
Manager, Tutoring Initiatives

Mark Luguya
Research Analyst

Mide Akerewusi
Director, Leadership Philanthropy, Ontario

O’neil Edwards
Director, Post-secondary Mentoring and Alumni Relations

Petrona Eccleston
Research Assistant

Rose Chan
Database Manager 

Samantha Jones
Director, Corporate Partnerships and Strategic Projects

Shannon Moon
Director, Development Programs and Services