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
Heather Williams – Chair
Heather Williams brings over ten years of business operations experience and a passion for the literacy field to the board. Her background includes management roles in the financial, legal, executive coaching and technology sectors with a strong focus on process improvement and developing internal teams. Heather is CEO of a newly launched company that provides project management, business process and client relationship services to entrepreneurs and small businesses. She is also an Independent Consultant with Arbonne International. Her volunteer work includes support for the arts, work with the White Ribbon Campaign’s Walk A Mile in Her Shoes events, and blogging for a local organic farm.
Anita Agrawal – Vice Chair
Anita holds an MA degree in Anthropology from Carleton University. She holds a B.Sc (Hons) from the University of Toronto and a post-graduate diploma in e-business from Centennial College. As someone with a keen interest in education, Anita is committed to life-long learning and has applied her skills in planning and governance to several NGOs and not for profits such as PTP, the FMTA, the South Asian Visual Arts Centre and the Council of Canadians. She has worked in many fields – mostly in positions of research, marketing and management. She also volunteered as an adult ESL tutor for several years.
Sanjoy Gupta – Treasurer
Sanjoy holds a Bachelor’s degree from Mangalore University in India, and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. His professional experience is primarily in the Information Technology field and includes senior management, sales and business development, client relationship management, and contract negotiations. Sanjoy believes that literacy is one of the biggest challenges we face in the world and if we address the literacy problem, both in the developing and developed world, we would achieve a lot as a society. He believes it all starts at the community level, finding the right guidance and support, and this is why he chose to volunteer his time at PTP.
Saira Somani – Communications Officer
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.
Jonathan Hahn
Jonathan Hahn holds a BA in Electrical Engineering from Harvard University. His present position is Director, US & Canada Business Development for a publicly-traded high-technology company. He has a strong history of volunteer involvement and a keen interest in self-empowerment through skill development. He has been involved with Youth Employment Services in the past, and is an active volunteer admissions interviewer for Harvard University.
Julius Olajos
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.
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.
Sharon Saunders
Sharon Saunders has several years of management experience in the social services and health charity sectors and is a teacher by profession. She is a native of Toronto and has volunteered with several organizations including Frontier College, the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture and the Gerstein Crisis Centre. Sharon has particular interest in social justice, international politics, cooking, baking and travel. She holds Honours Bachelor of Arts and Bachelors of Education degrees along with a TESL Certificate from the University of Toronto. Sharon chose to volunteer her time at PTP because she is committed to the concept of lifelong learning and wanted to contribute to an organization whose mission is focused in this area.
By-laws
PTP By-law no. 2, enacted December 2008. This by-law repeals and replaces By-law no. 1.