The GIRL TALK Advisory Board is the central committee overseeing the vision, mission, and direction of the GIRL TALK Empowerment organization. The Board consists of a small team of outstanding community leaders and business executives who are committed to empowering the future generation of female leaders. The Advisory Board members seek to use their talents, network, and experiences to help shape the successful growth and development of the our organization on a local and international level.
Suzette Lewis
Suzette Lewis is proud to be the Chairperson of the Make Your Mark & GIRL TALK Empowerment Advisory Board. Outside of GIRL TALK, Suzette is the Executive Director of Community Justice Alternatives where she oversees many programs including: Durham Community Mediation Program, Youth Justice -Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) and Conflict Anger, Learning Communication and Mediation (CALM). She is dedicated to improving the lives of young people on both a local and global level.
Nazneen Dindar
Nazneen is currently an administrator with the Durham District School Board and the former Equity, Diversity & Race Relations Facilitator for the Durham District School Board. Her passion and interest in the empowerment of youth goes back as far as she remembers. As an immigrant from South Africa she learned very early the importance of equity and social justice issues and was influenced by many courageous people who took a stand against injustice. Nazneen loves working as part of a team that is helping to shape the adults of our future.
Rick McCutcheon
Rick is a Dynamics Customer Relationship Management (CRM) MVP with expertise in Sales Process Design, Social Selling and CRM Strategies. Rick has been involved with the CRM Industry since 1990 as a Company Founder, Senior Executive, Reseller, Board Member, Educator, Consultant and Professional Speaker. He is an active member of the community and is proud to lend his business acumen to a growing social enterprise.
Dan Carter
Dan Carter is a professional speaker, television broadcaster, author and an elected Regional councillor for Oshawa. His deep commitment to making a difference to those in need has led to the establishment of a number of community initiatives, including the founding of The Hope Centre of Learning and the creation of the Day of Hope and Leadership which has become a signature event for local community leaders.
Donna Karjalainen
Donna is the Ontario Sales Manager at Nutrisoya Foods Inc. and is passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles for young people. Some of her interests include cooking, travel, art, Zumba and yoga. She has been an active volunteer and leader in her community for many years and when asked by Katie if she would like to help empower girls she replied with a “100% yes!”