2025 Canadian Mentoring Summit

Dr. Michael Karcher

Get ready to learn from one of the mentoring greats! Dr. Michael Karcher is a leading voice in youth mentoring research and co-editor of the Handbook of Youth Mentoring.

He’s the mind behind the Cross-age Mentoring Program (CAMP) and helped shape the field with one of the first large-scale studies on school-based mentoring.

Dr. Christina Rinaldi

What do parents, mentors, teachers, and peers all have in common? According to Dr. Christina Rinaldi — everything, when it comes to youth wellbeing.

As Professor at the University of Alberta and Scientific Director of the Canadian Centre for Mentoring Research, Dr. Rinaldi is all about unlocking the power of relationships to help young people thrive. She’s especially passionate about how parents can play a key role in mentoring success.

Dr. Renée Spencer

Dr. Renée Spencer is a powerhouse in the mentoring world, she’s a professor at Boston University and a leading researcher uncovering what really drives meaningful mentor-mentee connections.

With a seat on the National Mentoring Resource Center Research Board and a fellowship with the American Academy of Social Work, she brings both heart and expertise to the conversation.

Dr. Teena Starlight

Dr. Teena Starlight brings deep knowledge and lived experience to her Summit workshop. As a teacher, vice principal, curriculum coordinator, professor, and cultural educator, she’s spent her career empowering Indigenous youth through education and mentorship.

Rooted in the traditions of the Tsuut’ina and Kainai Nations, she shares teachings that honour Indigenous ways of knowing while shaping the future of mentoring. Now as National Director of Indigenous Youth Mentorship, Dr. Starlight leads with care, strength, and community at the core.

Dr. Julia Pryce

As a professor of social work at Loyola University Chicago, she’s leading research on how mentors, caseworkers, and other caring adults can show up with empathy, attunement, and cultural understanding.

From school-based programs to global innovations, Dr. Pryce blends clinical insight with research to explore what makes youth–adult relationships powerful — especially when it comes to equity and social justice.

Elaine Atay

Elaine Atay is a rising voice in the world of Indigenous mentorship and workplace equity. As a Ph.D. Candidate in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at the University of Calgary, she’s diving deep into how organizations can embed meaningful, culturally grounded mentorship practices.

Backed by SSHRC, Killam Trusts, and UCalgary’s Eyes High Strategy, Elaine’s work blends research, teaching, and real-world consulting on DEI training and evaluation. She’s also an active force on the university’s Psychology DEI Committee.

Dr. Adam T. Murry

Dr. Adam T. Murry is an Associate Professor in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at UCalgary, where he runs the Indigenous Organizations and Communities Research lab. He is co-principal investigator for the Indigenous Primary Health Care and Policy Research (IPHCPR) network and Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) in Canada, and conducts research on Indigenous employment, mentorship, allyship, education, Indigenous studies, substance use, mental health, sustainability, and ministry.

Dr. Murry has multiple peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, serves on several diversity and Indigenous-specific committees, and consults with both the non-profit and Tribal sectors.

Jennifer Petrela

Jennifer Petrela is the executive director of Mentorat Québec and an expert in inclusive mentorship. A first-generation Canadian, she has studied and worked across four continents and speaks multiple languages.

Jennifer holds degrees in history, environmental health, and population health. Her career spans roles with international labour unions, global development banks, and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, where she led content and mentorship. She regularly advises organizations in Canada and Europe on mentorship strategy and training.

Natasha Sidi

Natasha Sidi is the Operations & UX Lead at Accelerate Her Future (AHF), where she helps build inclusive spaces for Indigenous, Black, and racialized women in business and STEM. With 15+ years of experience in education, design, and social impact, she brings a human-centered approach to UX and mentorship.

As lead facilitator of AHF’s Fellowship Circle, she has supported over 300 participants and earned a 97% satisfaction score. Natasha holds degrees in Education and Commerce from York University and a postgrad certificate in Interactive Media from Sheridan. Originally from Tanzania, she’s even survived two elephant charges.

Jillian Paragg

Jillian Paragg is a Research Associate at the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC). She has experience in research and program evaluation including community-based and mixed methods designs as well as feasibility studies focused on health, employment, and equity.

Jillian holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Alberta, where her research focused on racialization, multiculturalism, and mixed race identity, drawing on qualitative approaches.

Amanda Lottermoser

Amanda Lottermoser is the Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement Lead at Calgary Youth Justice Society, shaping how mentors are trained and supported.

With experience in schools, group homes, and as a CYJS Program Coordinator, Amanda brings deep insight into the challenges youth face. She’s driven by the power of strengths-based mentorship to shift narratives and foster connection—for youth and mentors alike.

Jonathan Zaff

Jonathan Zaff, PhD, is a professor of Applied Psychology at Northeastern University and a developmental psychologist researching how to help all youth thrive, particularly those from historically oppressed backgrounds.

Grounded in positive youth development, his widely published work has been used by youth-serving organizations. His research spans topics like high school non-completers, civic engagement, and social supports. Prior to Northeastern, he founded the CERES Institute at Boston University and was the founding executive director of the Center for Promise.

Olga Korcheva

Olga Korcheva is a Ukrainian immigrant who moved to Canada 25 years ago. She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and a Master's degree in History. Olga has extensive volunteer experience supporting newcomers to Canada, including individuals from war-torn regions. Her trauma-informed approach is rooted in both lived experience and her study of various healing modalities, including Somatic Experiencing and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

Olga brings a grounded, compassionate perspective to mentorship, creating emotionally safe environments for youth to feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Herleen Arora

Herleen Arora (she/her) is an educator, community builder, researcher and consultant with over 15 years of experience in the non-profit and public sectors. Her work focuses on advancing equity and improving the social and economic well-being of marginalized communities through strategy, research and evaluation, program design, policy development, and facilitation.

She is the Co-founder and Managing Director of the South Asian Women’s Collective, a social impact organization supporting South Asian women and gender-diverse individuals. Herleen holds a Master of Education in Social Justice and Equity Studies and brings an equity lens to all aspects of her work.

Dr. Grace Gowdy

Dr. Grace Gowdy's research uses a lens of social justice and social capital to improve the lives of young people and their families. She investigates the role of informal mentors (employers, coaches, neighbors, teachers), focusing on access and quality, particularly for youth from minoritized and marginalized backgrounds.

She champions youth autonomy in seeking mentorship and believes in the collective power of these relationships within their communities.

Tasha Stansbury

Tasha Stansbury (she/they) is a queer, neurodivergent lawyer and educator based in Ottawa. Of mixed Armenian-Lebanese and European ancestry, Tasha brings an equity-focused lens to her work across family, immigration, housing, and criminal law. She holds degrees in Equity Studies (U of T), Law (JD, Windsor), and an LL.M. (Ottawa), and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in law.

Tasha is a dedicated community volunteer and sits on the boards of the Canadian Association of Food Law and Policy and Ottawa Valley Roller Derby. In her free time, she enjoys roller derby, sci-fi novels, and adventures with her dog, Ciri.

Juliet Oshiro

Juliet Oshiro’s background is in science outreach; during and after completing her PhD in biology she created and worked on various science education initiatives. Along the way, she participated in several mentoring programs as both a mentor and mentee, and these positive experiences led her to join the eMentoring team in 2019.

Jill Mallett

Jill Mallett is a passionate educator and program designer with over a decade of experience supporting youth facing significant barriers. Specializing in mentorship and strengths-based practice, Jill creates initiatives that build self-awareness, resilience, and purpose.

Her mentor training focuses on connection, reflection, and empowerment—helping both mentors and mentees discover their strengths and thrive within their communities.

Thomas E. Keller

Thomas E. Keller, PhD, is the Duncan and Cindy Campbell Professor for Children, Youth, and Families in the School of Social Work at Portland State University and Director of the PhD Program in Social Work and Social Research. He also is the Director of the Summer Institute on Youth Mentoring. His research interests include the development and influence of youth mentoring relationships, social networks in mentoring interventions, evaluation of program innovations and enhancements, and the influence of program staff and infrastructure.

Megan Black

Megan Black is the Volunteer Program Coordinator at Technovation Girls, where she supports the global network of volunteers who mentor youth. She specializes in creating initiatives that ensure volunteers feel confident, supported, and prepared to make a meaningful impact.

With extensive experience leading mentoring programs for both youth and adults (including roles at Big Brothers Big Sisters and Girl Scouts of the USA), Megan offers a holistic perspective on how mentoring inspires growth for everyone involved.

Raeana Samuel

Raeana Samuel is the Volunteer Program Manager at Technovation, where she develops the strategy for the digital community that supports Technovation Girls volunteers. With a B.Sc. in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Waterloo, Raeana previously worked in community outreach and gender equity at the university. Prior to her current role, she served as a Social Impact Manager at Shopify, connecting employees to meaningful workforce development opportunities with youth interested in tech and entrepreneurship.

Ainslee MacMillan

Ainslee MacMillan is an environmental educator and Program Manager at The Gaia Project in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Since 2019, she has worked to empower students through accessible, action-oriented climate education. With a BSc in Environment and Natural Resources from the University of New Brunswick, Ainslee combines academic insight with a passion for youth engagement, helping students discover their role in building a resilient, sustainable future.

Sarah Chan

Sarah Chan, M.A., is a musician, teacher, writer, and social advocate who serves as the Engagement & Operations Lead at the Alberta Mentoring Partnership. A dedicated advocate with a deep understanding of Edmonton’s charitable sector, she currently sits on the Telus Community Giving Board of Northern Alberta and previously Co-Chaired United Way’s campaign cabinet. Sarah has been recognized for her contributions to philanthropy, including being named a Top 40 Under 40 by Edify Magazine (2015) and receiving philanthropy awards in both 2020 and 2024.

Dr. Cecilia Bukutu

Dr. Cecilia Bukutu is a Professor of Public Health at Concordia University of Edmonton and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alberta. An epidemiologist, her work centers on environmental public health and the social determinants of health, with a focus on children and youth. Committed to health equity, she leads community-engaged research that amplifies youth voices in program and policy development. Dr. Bukutu has led several tri-agency and government-funded initiatives, including the Speak Science Simply Program and the MRP. Her award-winning work addresses systemic barriers and promotes youth empowerment, resilience, and skill-building.

Victoria Adeola

Victoria Adeola Fajenyo is a public health professional and Research Coordinator in the Department of Medicine and Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary, where she is also pursuing her doctoral degree. Holding an MPH from Manchester Metropolitan University, her research interests center on children, youth, and women's health. She has been involved in studies on vaccine acceptance, mental health, and public health promotion, and advocates for mothers balancing work and childcare. Victoria is also dedicated to mentorship and community engagement, having coordinated programs for Black youth across Canada and volunteered with various community organizations.

Meet Your Master of Ceremonies: Daniel Horgan

Daniel Horgan is officially hosting the 2025 Canadian Mentoring Summit! As a nationally recognized speaker, author, and social impact strategist, Daniel brings over 25 years of cross-sector impact. He is the founder and leader of CoLabL, helping major organizations like SHRM, Pfizer, and Starbucks unlock the power of relationships to drive change. Daniel will MC both days, using his interactive style to guide and elevate the summit experience.