PTP is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors with experience and knowledge related to adult education, financial management, human resources and organizational development.
Board of Directors
Saira Somani – Chair
Saira holds Bachelor of Commerce degree, a Postgraduate Certificate in Project Management, both from Ryerson University in Toronto, and the Project Management Professional (PMP) designation. Her professional experience includes work as a Project Manager, and more recently as Manager in the Information Systems Department for a community hospital. Saira has a strong interest in health literacy and believes that literacy is the key to a person’s total wellbeing. She chose to volunteer at PTP because she believes that the ability to read, comprehend, and communicate empowers people to control their future which will allow them to succeed.
Daniel Boyer – Vice Chair
Dan has extensive experience in the social services sector. Currently, Dan is Principal Consultant at facilitateSUCCESS. He guides public sector organizations in capability building, consumer experience innovation, and strategic planning. Dan holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hon.) from the University of Waterloo, a Dispute Resolution Certificate (Mediation) from York University, and is currently pursuing his Masters of Education in Adult Education from the University of Toronto.
Dan is a Qualified Mediator (QMed) through the ADR Institute of Ontario, Inc. During his time as a youth counsellor in Toronto’s East End, Dan experienced first-hand how PTP positively supports people in our community.
He chose to volunteer with PTP because he is committed to ensuring that PTP continues to impact the lives of people in such a meaningful way.
Taryn Pimento – Communications Officer
Taryn holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from York University and a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Community Development from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. Currently, Taryn is a Policy Analyst for the Secretariat at the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB), and arms-length advisory agency that makes recommendations to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities on degree-granting activities in Ontario.
Former professional experiences include community-based research with a focus on gender and sexual orientation, and work with social enterprises that provide opportunities for skill-development and gainful employment for people who are socially marginalized.
Taryn chose to volunteer for PTP because she recognizes the importance of access to education and meaningful employment, and strongly believes in supporting initiatives that challenge structural inequalities.
Julius Olajos – Treasurer
Julius Olajos holds an MBA degree from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, ON and an electrical engineering degree from Ryerson University in Toronto. He has been employed in various engineering positions both in Canada and abroad and is currently employed with an engineering consulting firm in Toronto. Julius strongly believes in volunteering, and to that end has been involved with a local community foundation and an historical museum, both in southwest Ontario.
Charles Achampong
Charles holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Ottawa and a Master of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University.
He is a partner relations professional with experience in creating and building relationships as the Manager of Corporate & Stakeholders Relations with the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, and previously with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Committee.
Charles is passionate about the importance that literacy plays and the doors that it opens in an individual’s life through new employment opportunities or accessing higher education. He is excited to join as a member of the PTP board and build on the great success that it has established in the community.
Alan Campbell
Alan holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from York University and a Masters of Public Administration from Queen’s University. He has professional experience as a Research Analyst with the Yonge Street Mission and as a Policy Analyst with the Ministry of Education. Volunteer work has included literacy tutoring at both Alexandra Park Community Learning Centre and the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture. Alan feels strongly that literacy, numeracy and computer skills are vital for individuals to attain and maintain meaningful employment. He chose to volunteer his time to PTP because he believes PTP provides a critical service – helping adults gain the skills required for employment or further education.
Ellamae Chua
Ellamae holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines and a Postgraduate Certificate in Human Resources Management from Seneca College, Toronto. Her professional experience includes recruitment, and working as an HR Generalist, managing a broad range of HR functions from recruitment, retention, training and performance management – to employee relations, compensation and conflict resolution. Ella chose to volunteer at PTP in order to contribute to an organization that works toward uplifting people’s lives and she believes that offering her skills as an HR professional would be the best way she could give back to society.
Jane Erbil
Jane N. Erbil is a graduate of the School of Management of Bosporus University of Istanbul, Turkey and a seasoned business professional with broad North American and international management experience.
Throughout her marketing career at multinational companies, Jane has assumed responsibility in creating advertising, promotions and media programs for global brands in both traditional and digital media. Before immigrating to Canada in 2002, she expanded into the not-for-profit world by completing a Masters degree in Public Management from Baruch College, NY.
Committed to education and community work, Jane is a TESOL Ontario-certified English teacher for adults and is trained for Canadian Boards by Canadian Board Diversity Council’s “Get on Board” Program. Jane recognizes and believes that education is a birthright to all humankind and, for the privileged, it is a duty to work and provide support to others who have not been as fortunate. The challenges she faced in her early days of immigration have led Jane to volunteer at PTP where she believes she resonates with its mission.
Jose Querubin
Jose Querubin has been a banker for almost 30 years, working with multinational banks like Citibank and Bank of America. His last position was President and CEO of UCPB, a Philippine bank.
His civic participation includes serving as Governor of the Philippine Red Cross, Chairman of Operation Smile Philippines and President of a Rotary Club. He retired from banking in October 2007, when his family decided to reside in Canada. He is currently a director of The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto and Vice-Chairman of Gawad Kalinga Canada, an organization committed in helping the poor in the Philippines.
Jose holds an MBA degree from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Mathematics from De La Salle University in the Philippines.
With Jose’s professional and educational background, he can add value to PTP by using his business and financial experience to scale up the organization and touch more lives. Jose believes that basic education should be within reach to everyone, giving them the opportunity to be productive members of society and the dignity they deserve.
Milagros Sakuma
Milagros Sakuma is an engineer with a Master’s in Human Resources Development. This combination of skills allows her to identify new opportunities and improvement in any business or service and – most importantly – understand people, their talents, skills and interests and assist them to reach their maximum potential.
As a Training Manager in the public sector, Milagros is interested in the development of human resources. She enjoys interacting with people and seeing them excel in what they do and learn new things every day. She likes to travel, read non-fiction novels and self-help books. She also likes to meditate and write short stories or narrative.
As an immigrant and professional, she would like to bring 13 years of experience in the human resources field to PTP and contribute to the organization’s growth and expansion; she believes PTP has unique services that could be promoted to corporations for financial support and extended to other audiences. She would like to bring new ideas to PTP’s programs to assist people to insert themselves in the job market successfully and achieve their personal and professional goals. Their success will contribute to strengthen our community.
By-laws
PTP By-law no. 2, enacted December 2008. This by-law repeals and replaces By-law no. 1.