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Photo of Jamila Parker-Ismail

Program Coordinator, African Impact Initiative

African Impact Challenge

Photo of Sophie Stuart-Sheppard

Coordinator, Communications & Community Development

Health Innovation Hub (H2i), University of Toronto

Photo of Efosa Obano

Founder & Manager of the Black Founders Network; Founder of African Impact Initiative

African Impact Challenge, The BRIDGE, University of Toronto

Photo of Dave Fenton

Assistant Director, External Relations

The BRIDGE, University of Toronto Scarborough

Photo of Edward Nkole

, CPA, CMA

Senior Planning and Budget Officer

Office of the Vice-President International, University of Toronto

Photo of Marjorie Reyes

Administrative Assistant

Office of the Vice-President International, University of Toronto

Photo of Lily Afsaw

Student Life Officer, Mastercard Foundations Scholars Program

Centre for International Experience, University of Toronto

Photo of Lynda Donnelly

Student Life Coordinator, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Centre for International Experience, University of Toronto

Photo of Katherine Beaumont

Senior Director, Global Learning Opportunities and International Student Success

Centre for International Experience, University of Toronto

Photo of Penina Lam

, PhD

Senior Director, International Relations, Africa

Africa Secretariat, University of Toronto

Profile

Jamila Parker-Ismail

Program Coordinator, African Impact Initiative

African Impact Challenge

In her role as Program Coordinator, Jamila assumes a pivotal role, diligently overseeing, co-managing, and orchestrating the implementation of business development initiatives at The African Impact Initiative.

She brings years of experience to the realm of Program Incubation, where her primary focus lies in nurturing Entrepreneurial Development. Jamila’s profession is underscored by her exceptional organizational acumen, a knack for fostering team synergy and networks. Her portfolio extends across multiple African countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Lesotho, Kenya, and Nigeria.

Email Address
jamila@africanimpactinitiative.com
Profile Type
Staff
Country
South Africa
Program
African Impact Challenge
Profile

Sophie Stuart-Sheppard

Coordinator, Communications & Community Development

Health Innovation Hub (H2i)

Sophie (she/her) is the Communications & Community Development Coordinator at Health Innovation Hub (H2i), University of Toronto’s health-focused accelerator.

She is passionate about research translation, and rethinking how we design, deliver and access healthcare services, centering patient-informed and community-led models of care. She has worked within communications, operations management and project coordination in non-profits, healthcare, academic and start-up environments alike. In addition, Sophie has worked in frontline roles, from intake and case coordination to peer support facilitation. Having been a part of the founding and leadership team of a mental health focused start-up, she has unique insight into the journey and challenges of taking ideas in healthcare from conception to scale. She holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology from McGill University, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health at University of Victoria.

Email Address
sophie.stuartsheppard@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Profile
Efosa KC Obano

Efosa Obano

Founder & Manager of the Black Founders Network; Founder of African Impact Initiative

African Impact Challenge

Efosa Obano started and manages the Black Founders Network (BFN), which supports Black entrepreneurs across Canada with capital, community, and capacity building.

He also started and leads the African Impact Initiative (AII), which enables early African innovators to create solutions to challenges in their communities. He has expertise in using technology to create social impact, invest with impact, and build early-stage ventures. For this work, he has been recognized by the United Nations and the Ontario Minister’s Award of Excellence.
 
Prior to these, he led a team that guided start-ups on their digital transformation journeys with Dell Technologies Canada. He also led community outreach for Dell Canada’s Social Impact Team & Dell Canada’s Black Networking Alliance. He received Dell’s Corporate Social Responsibility Award for this work. He is an alumnus of the University of Toronto, where he specialized in Strategic Management.

Email Address
efosa@africanimpactinitiative.com; efosa.obano@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
African Impact Challenge
Profile

Dave Fenton

Assistant Director, External Relations

The BRIDGE

Dave Fenton is the Assistant Director of External Relations with the Department of Management at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC).

He leads a team of relationship managers that support Management’s accredited co-operative education program, and oversees the curricular work-integrated learning (WIL) program through The BRIDGE. One such initiative includes the African Impact Challenge (AIC), launched in 2020 alongside through the African Impact Initiative.  The AIC empowers African youth to realize the change they wish to see in their communities through the development and launch of technology-driven social impact startups.  The AIC was recognized by the United Nations as one of the top 50 solutions in the 2020 Youth Solutions Report for Sustainable Development.  Dave has been published in Cooperative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada’s (CEWIL Canada) e-book “The Practice of Co-op and Work-Integrated Learning in the Canadian Context”, presented publications at the WACE International Research Symposium, the World Association of Cooperative Education (WACE) World Conference, the CEWIL Research Spotlight, and serves as facilitator of Global WIL Modules.  Dave holds a Master of Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto.

Email Address
dave.fenton@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
African Impact Challenge
Profile

Edward Nkole, CPA, CMA

Senior Planning and Budget Officer

Office of the Vice-President International

Edward Nkole is a seasoned professional who, since March 2022, has been dedicated to his role as the Senior Planning and Budget Officer at the Office of the Vice President International (OVPI).

His responsibilities encompass providing invaluable financial management counsel, ensuring meticulous preparation of financial reports for the Foundation, and fostering collaborative partnerships both within and outside the organization.

Edward’s role is marked by dual reporting, where he effectively liaises with the Senior Director, International Relations, Africa for the Mastercard Foundation Grant. Furthermore, he holds a pivotal position as the finance lead within OVPI, reporting directly to the AVP International Engagement and Impact.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Edward’s true passion lies in the realm of education. With a remarkable twelve-plus years of experience in the university sector, he brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the table. Edward Nkole is a dynamic individual who continues to make a significant impact in the field of international relations and education.

Email Address
edward.nkole@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
Africa Secretariat
Profile

Marjorie Reyes

Administrative Assistant

Office of the Vice-President International

Marjorie is an administrative professional with close to 20 years of experience.

She is currently an Administrative Assistant at the Office of the Vice-President, International at the University of Toronto. Marjorie is a team player, an eager learner, and a highly organized individual. She is passionate about contributing and making a difference in the things that she does.

Before moving to Canada in 2020, Marjorie was an Executive Assistant to the CEO of a retail and travel company that represented various airlines and brands in the Philippines. Her previous position has allowed her to travel to different continents and exposed her to cultures and worldviews.

Marjorie is a mother of two, who enjoys painting, cooking, and being outdoors.

Email Address
international@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
Africa Secretariat
Profile

Lily Afsaw

Student Life Officer, Mastercard Foundations Scholars Program

Centre for International Experience

Lily Mesfin Asfaw is the Student Life Officer at the University of Toronto’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Lily, who is Ethiopian and born and raised in Rwanda, moved to Canada to pursue a BA in Political Science and Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice at the University of British Columbia (UBC). After her studies, Lily transitioned to full-time work at UBC in their International Student Advising office and later became Program Assistant in their Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. There, she developed a strong interest in helping international students, particularly African students, acclimate to Canada which she continues to do in her current position. In her role as Student Life Officer, she organizes co-curricular programming to help scholars adjust to living in Canada, manage their studies, and foster community.

Email Address
lily.asfaw@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
Mastercard Foundations Scholars Program
Profile

Lynda Donnelly

Student Life Coordinator, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Centre for International Experience

Lynda Donnelly is the Student Life Coordinator for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Toronto located in the Centre for International Experience.

She is pleased to be able to play an important role in providing administrative support during the scholarship recruitment stage and offer her dedicated care and guidance to new scholars during their pre-arrival preparations and onboarding at UofT. Lynda is from England and has worked as an administrative professional in various industries. At UofT she held a term position in the Office of the Vice Provost, Students and short-term assignments in The Office of the Provost and The Office of the Governing Council.  Lynda loves to travel and so shares in the excitement and enthusiasm of the new Foundation graduate scholars, as they prepare for international studies in Canada.

Email Address
lynda.donnelly@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
Mastercard Foundations Scholars Program
Profile

Katherine Beaumont

Senior Director, Global Learning Opportunities and International Student Success

Centre for International Experience

Katherine Beaumont is an international educational professional with over 25 years’ experience in the field working with universities, communities and corporations across the globe.  Her focus in the work has always been innovative opportunities for participants that lead to meaningful engagement and a deeper understanding of self, systems and others and the ability to affect change.

Email Address
katherine.beaumont@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
Mastercard Foundations Scholars Program
Profile

Penina Lam, PhD

Senior Director, International Relations, Africa

Africa Secretariat

Dr. Penina Lam is the U of T’s Senior Director of International Relations, where she leads strategic engagement and development of partnerships with Africa.

 She also leads the implementation of the Africa Health Collaborative, designed to facilitate talent development and entrepreneurship among African youth. She oversees the Secretariat team and works in close partnership with colleagues across U of T, with African institutions, and the Mastercard Foundation. 

As a scholar-practitioner, she’s passionate about research and programs that foster access to and equity in education, health, and employment opportunities.  Prior to joining U of T, she worked as an Organizational Development (OD) consultant at the World Bank, in healthcare and education sectors. She’s experienced at engaging with diverse stakeholders to design, develop, and deliver impactful learning and talent development program.

Her academic career has spanned research, faculty, staff, and senior leadership roles working with African, Canadian, and US institutions. Dr. Lam holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & OD, with a focus on Human Resource Development.

Email Address
penina.lam@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Faculty
Country
Canada
Program
Africa Secretariat
Governance
Executive Steering Committee