Her life’s greatest accomplishment are her children. Originally from New York, she began her professional life in advertising where she worked on product launches and media negotiations in a fast-paced multi-million dollar industry. Her decision to leave Madison Avenue was not difficult, as the greatest and most challenging opportunity of her life lay ahead – raising kids. Her non profit career began as a Co- founder of the Trevor Williams Kids Foundation. Afterwhich she co-founded a 21st Century Non-Profit Sustainability Learning Space called Genvironment. Sheri held positions as Director of Development at Mada Community Centre and The Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canada. Further, she is a member of the Board at Lower Canada College, an independent private school in Montreal She is passionate about creating social value, putting youth – our future changemakers – at the forefront of social issues, and integrating impact into anything she put her hands on hands on.

EDUCATION

• Boston University Bachelor of Science
• University of Fredericton EMBA Social Enterprise Leadership

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Martin Luther King Legacy Award

CERTIFICATES

• ESG Competent Boards Designation
• Harvard Business School Certificate in Governance for Non Profit Excellence
• IDEO U Designing a Business Certificate

Lorie Geddes-Reid is a business professional who has over 20 years of experience working as part of a team in a busy office environment.  Self-motivated and adept at managing multiple tasks and meeting tight timelines, she has had a successful career in the Import field and more recently in E-Commerce merchandising.

For the past 13 years, Lorie has been working with the Red Rush Basketball Leadership Program. During this time, she has helped develop internal processes to improve program delivery as well as expanding the program to include international travel.  Involved in most areas of program and organizational development, first as Program Co-Ordinator and now as Program Manager, Lorie has used her strong organizational and administrative skills to provide leadership in planning, directing, coordinating, and managing program activities and key projects.

As wife of MCCF founder Denburk Reid, they share a common vision of empowering youth and uplifting the community. Since MCCF’s inception, Lorie has worked behind the scenes to help develop and spearhead many of the existing programs, activities, and events, like EmpowerUS, the Honour Roll Breakfast and the MCCF Toy Drive.

Lorie has a Certificate in Family Life Education from Concordia University and is dedicated to continuing to improve organizational performance to better serve our youth and our community.

Mariela Rosario Bautista is a proud Red Rush Basketball Academy alumna who has been part of the Montreal Community Cares Foundation (MCCF) and its Red Rush basketball program since 2015. As a former athlete, Mariela embodies the values of leadership, resilience, and community support that MCCF champions.

A graduate of Dawson College in Early Childhood Education (2018), Mariela’s journey reflects her lifelong passion for working with youth. Her experience spans roles as a camp counselor, coordinator, and mentor, beginning at the age of 16. Beyond her professional experience, Mariela is also a dedicated basketball coach, entrepreneur, and a young mother, bringing a unique perspective to her work with children and teens.

Now serving as Program Coordinator at MCCF, Mariela is committed to inspiring, supporting, and empowering youth as they navigate their journeys from adolescence to adulthood. Her deep understanding of the challenges young people face, combined with her personal and professional experiences, makes her a vital member of the MCCF team.

Mariela’s dedication stems from a desire to give back to the community that helped shape her, using her story to uplift others and help them realize their full potential.

Gideon Kofi Quagraine is a dynamic Marketing Communications Strategist with 9 years of experience spanning Market Research, Cocoa Processing, Banking, and Insurance industries. He has successfully led initiatives across Above-the-Line (ATL), Below-the-Line (BTL), and Digital Marketing, bringing a strategic and data-driven approach to brand communication. With a solid foundation in market research and analytics, Gideon has consistently delivered results by aligning marketing strategies with business objectives, ensuring measurable impact and growth.

Gideon holds a Master’s in Economic Policy Management from the University of Ghana and a Master’s in Business Analytics and Technology Management from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. This unique combination of economic policy expertise and advanced analytical skills allows him to bridge the gap between strategy and execution. He thrives on leveraging research, technology, and data to drive innovation and deliver solutions that resonate with target audiences in competitive markets.

With his experience cutting across diverse industries, Gideon brings versatility, insight, and leadership to every project. His ability to integrate creative storytelling with analytical precision positions him as a forward-thinking professional, capable of navigating today’s complex marketing landscape. Gideon’s commitment to delivering impactful results continues to drive brands toward growth, transformation, and lasting value.

Proving that you can successfully mix business with pleasure, 2Republic Events was founded by two lifelong friends in 2008, Erica Jabouin and Marie Beliard. They both shared a passion for community and giving back to their homeland, Haiti and Dominican Republic – which was the reason they started it all. Their contrasting quirks and individual preferences converge perfectly to create a unique synergy that brings together all the elements that make each of the events they touch so exceptional and unforgettable.

They have been at the epicenter of the Montreal Community Cares Foundation since its inception and they have successfully planned the past 12 MCC Awards.

Brandon Di Perno is a seasoned marketing professional and the Founder of Jab Step Marketing (jabstepmktg.com), a dynamic marketing agency based in Montreal.

He launched his career on Madison Avenue in New York City, where he honed his skills at a prominent sports and entertainment agency before returning to his roots in Montreal. With extensive experience in marketing management, Brandon has worked with various companies in sports analytics, sports technology, and edtech. His expertise spans strategic marketing, brand development, and customer engagement.

In addition to his marketing career, Brandon is an accomplished sports writer. He has covered the Miami Heat for various team-affiliated outlets for over a decade.

Brandon is also a former shooting guard on the Red Rush summer team, bringing his passion for sports to every aspect of his professional journey.

Leona earthy is a Jamaican born, digital artist, graphic designer, creative director. The multi-hyphenate artist is the founder of Leoart, a graphic design business devoted to pushing brands forward using art, technology, and design. Leona takes a unique approach to her creative pro­ duction by helping brands in their pursuit of authenticity by using an innovative, artful design approach. Her vision is to create an artistic space to display her skill set, her passion for art & creative expression through her own wall art and merchandise products as well to provide a service to the community. Her distinct style is easily recognizable and highly original.

Leona has an ongoing relationship with different sectors such as corporation, non-profit organisations, artists and small business owners. She is the creative director for Audace au Feminin – which brought about le Salon Interna­ tional De La Femme Noire. Other clients who have utilise her creative genius are The Fabienne Colas Foundation (MIBFF, TBFF, HEF, OBFF, CBFF, BBIC), Gala Dynastie, Mou­
vement Montreal (municipal election), the NFB: National Film Board of Canada, and Musee des Beaux Art to name a few.

Having exhibited for the first time locally for “Les Egeries Noires” at Place-des-Arts in 2016, her art has since then adorned the walls of private collectors, and her designs have branded clients in Canada, Senegal and the U.S.A. In 2018, she was awarded “The Best Graphic designer” at the
Heart of Gold Award ceremony.

Randall Walter is a dedicated basketball coach with over 13 years of experience, having worked with athletes from Montreal to Toronto at various levels. Currently a level 3 coach for the Excel Hoops prep program, he combines his extensive knowledge of the game with a commitment to helping players reach their full potential.

Randall is also active in community initiatives, including the Red Rush program he helped establish in the Greater Toronto area in 2021, aimed at developing young athletes and building community through basketball.

As a former D1 scholarship athlete and a University of Maine graduate, he is passionate about mentoring student athletes, believing in the power of sports to teach valuable life skills. With Randall as your coach, expect a supportive mentor focused on both basketball excellence and personal growth.

Hi, I’m Jade and I am so honoured to become a member of the MCCF community. My life’s mission is to support adolescents to live an authentic life saturated with passion and joy. I have had the privilege to embody this through my academic and professional journey. I studied English Literature and Journalism at Concordia University before completing a collegiate degree in Special Care Counseling. In my professional life, I am an educator in schools, community programs, residential services and currently working towards becoming a professional counselor specializing in Black women and families.

Through my journey, I am inspired to help unpack the lives of Black women and girls through the Black Girl Like Me initiative, an online community and podcast that represents our community and our stories.
This initiative through the MCCF, is an opportunity for me to merge two of my first loves – writing and youth development. I have been a youth and community worker for the past ten years and have a passion for literature and creative writing. I am so excited for this project and the young writers we will influence.

Hello, I’m Roen and it’s always a pleasure to be involved in MCCF initiatives. I am a Concordia University graduate where I completed a Specialization in Human Relations and a certificate in Family Life Education.

I am a Spoken Word poet, educator, speaker, and coach. My style, flow, and delivery are bridged with my background in education & counseling. I believe creative wiring and poetry is the therapy of a lifetime and creativity should be the blueprint to our education as creativity is linked to our very existence. From entertainment, architecture, technology, Creativity is the most sought-after skill yet least fostered. I celebrate imagination & creativity in an interactive way.

I engage youth and young adults in a very dynamic way by having them explore where they are creative. The goal is for them to understand that creativity is the foundation of solutions and innovation. I also do activities that reveal how easy it is to write, create and connect with others through the power of words. I do word association in an interactive way and we co-create a piece together. The participants then write or create individually and they are invited to share. I also use sound and movement to anchor and inspire them. Guide them on how to ground themselves which is very key especially for those who have attention, anxiety, or processing challenges. These can result in zines, recordings, video projects. My mission is for participants to know that they are created to create. I am dedicated to raising others to get unstuck, tap into their genius zone, and have made it my mission to empower others through creative literacy and well-being.

My name is Brent. I am thankful and honored to be a part of the team. I have a passion for writing, education, and sports.

I have and continue to write for different publications, on topics ranging from sports, race, music, politics, and culture. I love digging for knowledge and facts, and I take pride in educating my audience. I also work as a broadcast journalist. When I call games, I take the same approach to my work.

For the past 13 years I have worked as an Integration Aid for children with special needs. Before that, I worked as an animator at sports camps, and as a tutor.

As an athlete, as well as both an education and travel enthusiast, I believe in pushing my body and mind past the limits, while also being receptive to new ideas, ways of thinking, and challenges.

I have bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, with a minor in sociology from Concordia University. I am currently in my second year of the Early Childhood Elementary Education (ECEE) program at Concordia.

Sabi Kamilah Hinkson was born, and raised, in Montreal, Canada, to her Trinidadian parents, who migrated to Canada over 45 years ago. Ms. Hinkson is the proud mother of two beautiful daughters, Kiara (21 years old) and Taneia (12 years old).

Ms. Hinkson holds a Bachelor of Science from Concordia University (double-majored in Biochemistry and Theology with a minor in Multidisciplinary Studies in Science: Scientific Research) and recently completed her Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning Science & Technology at McGill University. In Winter 2022 she returned to Concordia University to complete her Master of Arts in Theology.

At a young age, Hinkson fell in love with science because she realized that everything around her involved science, and she became fascinated with understanding the ‘science’ behind everything. After completing her scientific studies at Concordia she began working in the lab, but she quickly realized that her true calling was to share her passion for science with others, especially youths and those who “don’t like science”, so she ended up becoming a science teacher, and this has been her most rewarding job. Hinkson is currently a Science & Technology teacher at Loyola High School and their Family Outreach Coordinator and in this capacity she works towards increasing equity, diversity and inclusion.

Hinkson considers herself “an advocate for equity, diversity & inclusion (EDI)” and enjoys doing EDI work outside of her job.