Our Next Generation Cabinet offers an opportunity for young professionals to mobilize the next generation of donors and volunteers to give, speak up and take action in their community, by promoting opportunities to become further engaged through fundraising, advocacy and community development activities.
2010-2011 Next Generation Cabinet
Joel Marchildon
Cabinet Co-Chair
Partner, Accenture Canada Inc.
United Way Ottawa helps community organizations be successful by providing financial resources as well as a connection to like-minded organizations and a link to people who want to volunteer. It is a gateway for many smaller agencies that require support to remain viable. I’m not sure this is always well understood in the community, and I look forward to the opportunity to help get this message out.
Sharon Peiris
Cabinet Co-Chair
Manager, RCMP Charities Office, Public Affairs and Communications Services, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
I have been involved with the GCWCC campaign for four years and have chaired the NextGeneration Cabinet for the past three years. I continue to volunteer with United Way because I enjoy meeting and working with new people. I also experience personal growth, learning and satisfaction from knowing that I am making a difference in not only the campaign but also in the lives of others.
Ahmer Gulzar
Application/Network Architect, Bell Canada
I have been actively involved over the years in giving back to the community, and believe that everyone should receive the necessary support and motivation to help them strive for success. Staying involved going forward is a top priority. The road ahead looks bright, and the United Way team and volunteers of the Next Gen Cabinet have the tools to propel us to a promising year.
Andrew Moonsammy
Policy Analyst, Public Health Agency of Canada
I have been involved with United Way Ottawa for many years, starting with the Youth Action Panel, the former Community Services Cabinet and now the Next Gen Cabinet. As a federal government employee with the Public Health Agency of Canada and a sessional instructor at Algonquin College, I am happy to give my time to an organization that plays such an integral role in community development, touching so many demographics.
Annie Choi
Commercial Officer, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Volunteering gives me an opportunity to see new faces and places, which is important in building that sense of community you find in Ottawa. I have several causes that are close to my heart, but I’m always amazed at the fantastic work done by countless volunteers for all different organizations. That’s what still inspires me to contribute my own time and I know United Way’s NextGen presence will surely attract that next wave of leaders who will continue this important work.
Chris McLeod
Commercial Litigator, Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP
I am excited to volunteer with United Way because the work we do has an impact on our community in a meaningful way. Being flexible allows United Way to support a variety of community organizations and ensures that support is getting to those who need it the most.
David Nguyen
Founder, Begin 2 Believe
As founder of the Begin 2 Believe Association, my views coincide with United Way’s mandate to build a stronger community. As a young organization, I feel that the Begin 2 Believe team will strongly complement the Next Generation Cabinet with respect to youth contributions. I plan to bring new ideas to the table to help spread the notion of community-building.
Eric Girard
Partner, Deloitte
Graham Gaylord
Program Analyst, The Ottawa Hospital
Much of United Way’s work aims to improve overall health and well-being in our community by addressing the social determinants of health. For me, it represents a meaningful way to give back to the community — and to work with positive, dynamic people.
Hugues Boisvert LL.L., LL.B.
Business Lawyer, Andrews Robichaud
I believe strongly in giving back to the community, and the Next Generation Cabinet is perfectly in line with my belief that community action is key to raising awareness of United Way’s mission. I am also the founder and president of the Young Business Network of the National-Capital, which participates in several events to raise money for charitable work — again, another example of community involvement.
Janaki Mody
Manager, Parliament Pub
As part of my duties managing a local pub, I work with other organizations while they host special events. Through these events, I have had a chance to meet many volunteers who have inspired me to get involved in my community. I am looking forward to my role on the Next Gen Cabinet and working with others who want to make our community better.
Kara Arsenault
Branch Coordinator, Transport Canada
I have always felt that volunteering is one of the pillars that holds a community together. Volunteering doesn’t always come in the same package. Tutoring someone may be considered small, but it can make a huge difference, for both the person and their community. It also helps us exemplify what kind of values and ideals we wish to bring out in our society. I am volunteering on behalf of Transport Canada as part of this committee, to help my community, to reinforce the values I live by and to develop myself through the experiences and interactions I have with others.
Lija Bickis
Management Trainee, Transport Canada
The GCWCC Next Gen is a fun way to get involved, give back and get to know public servants in other departments. A group that I volunteer for receives funding from the GCWCC; seeing the way that organization benefits from the contributions that we raise keeps me motivated and participating in the campaign.
Matthew Diedrick
Business Analyst, HR Systems, Canadian Border Services Agency
I am confident that everyone has a positive motivating force of some kind innate with every personality out there; it’s for everyone who wants to make a difference, who strives for better, and who is willing to come together and work towards a common goal. This is what counts and why I look forward to the opportunity to work with the Next Generation Cabinet, which wants the best for all people and the communities that surround us.
Ryan Steeves
Law Student, University of Ottawa
As a native of Ottawa, I have enjoyed volunteering my time to support a variety of local charity organizations. I volunteer at United Way because I enjoy being surrounded by others who are dedicated to making Ottawa a better city. A friend once told me that “you always get more out of volunteering than you give” — and I hope that my involvement will inspire others in the same way.
Scott Smith
Portfolio Manager, RBC Dominion Securities
My experience with United Way has shown me that it helps to foster a sense of community when you engage people to donate their time, money or other resources. I choose to support United Way so that I can help to contribute to making my community a better place for everyone.
