Board of Directors
Alysha Damji, MTeach Education
Secretary, Board of Directors
Alysha started with Peace by PEACE in 2005 at York University, as a volunteer in the classroom, and quickly fell in love with the program. She joined the executive team, as the Education Director in 2006. She was drawn to the program because of its safe, empowering and insightful curriculum. Alysha believes that Peace by PEACE not only inspires communities with hope, but also, gives students, teachers and volunteers, the valuable life skills that can help them engage positively in their classrooms and communities. Alysha is currently a part of STEP (Secondary Teacher Education Programme) and has obtained a Master in Arts and a Master in Education, while teaching youth from Grade 7-Grade 12. Alysha continues to see the extraordinary impact the program has on its students, teachers, and volunteers and she looks forward to the future impact it will make.
University of Toronto
2021-22 Executive Team
Shankeri Vijayakumar
Campus Director
Amna Nadeem
Campus Director
Amna majored in biochemistry and immunology. Her favourite things about Peace by Peace are working with wonderful people and cultivating lasting friendships as well as the gratification of helping out her community
Isra Gaid
Schools Director
Isra is currently in her fourth year, double majoring in biology and English. It’s her second year as a volunteer teacher and first on the exec team. She enjoys facilitating and partaking in all of the meaningful discussions that Peace by PEACE offers to youth, and values the significant impact they have in fostering stronger communities
Peace Ball Director
Nahal Homayounfar
Lamyah Moochhala
Executive Assistant
Lamy is in her final year at UofT, specialising in environmental geography. This is her fourth year with Peace by PEACE and her second year on the exec team. She enjoys hearing examples of how concepts learned in the program are applied in classroom situations.
Fundraising Director
Jessica Han
Jessica is a fourth year life science student specializing in Environment and Health and majoring in Health and Disease. This is her second year on the Peace by PEACE executive team as one of the event directors. She believes that Peace by PEACE is an amazing opportunity for both the children and the volunteers to grow as individuals and to be more compassionate to others.
Danielle Wright
Volunteers Director
Melissa DeAngelis
Volunteers Director
Festival Director
Harpreet Chohan
Jonas Lee
Curriculum Director
Professional Development Director
Danlin Zeng
Danlin is pursuing a double major in Physiology and Pharmacology with a minor in Economics. She loves how Peace by PEACE strives to educate youth on the importance of empathy, allowing youth to de-escalate conflicts that are very much inevitable in their lives.
Glendon College
Executives
Mélanie Biset
Campus Director
Mélanie is in her last year of the Bachelor of Education program specializing in FSL at the primary/junior level. This is her sixth year with Peace by PEACE and her second time as Campus Director. She enjoys seeing everyone’s hard work come to life!
Campus Director
Nadia is in her first year of the Bachelor of Education program specializing in FSL at the primary/junior level. She has been with Peace by PEACE for 4 years, this is her second year as Campus Director and third year on the executive team. Nadia enjoys the connections made as a member of Peace by PEACE and being able to enact change for children in the GTA.
Executive Assistant & Marketing Director
Vanessa is in her first year of the Bachelor of Education program specializing in FSL at the primary/junior level. This is her fourth year with Peace by PEACE and her third year on the executive team. She enjoys growing alongside her students and fellow exec members.
Schools Director
Lisa is in her fifth year of a French Studies major and Psychology minor. This is her fourth year with Peace by PEACE and her second year on the executive team. Lisa loved getting to know her students in the classroom, as well as making new friends on the executive team.
Finance Director
Heidi is in her fourth year of French Studies and Business Economics. She is also in the concurrent education program. This is her second year with Peace by PEACE and her first year on the executive team. She loves working with PXP members to create fun activities with PXP students, and is looking forward to creating long-lasting relationships in the PXP family.
Da-Heh Lee
Festival Director
Da-heh is in her fourth year of French Studies and also in her first year of the Bachelor of Education program at the intermediate/senior level. This is her third year with Peace by PEACE and her favourite thing about PxP is how we can help students build a better community.
Kelly Martinez
Festival Director
Kelly is in her third year, double majoring in French studies and Mathematics. She is also in the concurrent education program. Her favourite things about PxP is the amazing sense of community between mentors and how the children are always eager to share their creative ideas.
Marissa Buttigieg
Mentors Director
Marissa is in her fourth year of the French Studies program and is in the concurrent education program. This is her fourth year with Peace by PEACE, two years as a mentor and two years on the executive team.
Curriculum Director
Gillian is in her third year of the French-English Translation program. She was a classroom mentor for two years before joining the Exec Team in 2021. Gillian’s favourite part of Peace by PEACE is learning alongside the students in the classroom.
Community Outreach Director
Breton is in her first year of the FSL bED at the P/J level. This is her fourth year with Peace by PEACE and her third on the executive team. She loves working with mentors and seeing them flourish in front of their students.
Connor Boyd
Connor is in his first year of his Bachelor of Education but has volunteered with Peace by PEACE throughout his undergrad. With his new role in professional development, he wants to design simple yet effective trainings to prepare mentors for their classes and support them throughout their journey.
Professional Development Director
York Keele
Executives
Alessia Picarelli
Campus Director
Alessia is currently in her fifth year at York University Keele Campus. She is working towards an honours degree in Law and Society and is also in the Concurrent Education Program. This will be her fifth year in Peace by PEACE and her fourth year as an executive. What she loves about the program is that not only do the students get to learn in a fun and exciting way but everyone is included and actively engaged in the program. She also loves the bonds that are built with the students and knowing that she made a positive difference in someone's life. Alessia created the first Peace by PEACE curriculum for high schools called the Vent2Me program. She is currently working on building this in collaboration with Peace by PEACE for years to come and expanding to more schools!
Kristina Issa
Education Coordinator
Kristina is in her third year at York University as a Kinesiology and Health Science major. This is her third year on PxP and her second year on the executive team. She hopes to help grow the program as well as see the program enter new schools. One of her favorite part of the PxP program is watching mentors enter training, develop their skills as leaders and then enter classrooms sharing their knowledge with the children. Her favorite PxP activity is swamp boards!
Saina Sefidbakht
Events Coordinator
Saina is going into her fourth year at York University as a Biology major. It is her second year on the executive team and this year she hopes to help the organization grow with brand new exciting ideas!
Lori Ann Calucag
Mentors CoDirector
Lori Ann is the Mentors Coordinator at Keele campus and is excited to be with the Peace by PEACE program for a fourth year. She completed her English degree at York University and is currently continuing her studies in Education I/S English & Visual Arts. Peace by PEACE has greatly influenced her approach to education due to the positive change it creates within the students; She integrates concepts like conflict resolution, self worth and learning through play in her teachings outside of the program. She also loves working to recruit and train new mentors to spread the light of Peace by PEACE onto university students.
Damia Uqaili
Curriculum Director
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Rachel Gopal
Organizational Development Coordinator
Rachel is going into her fifth year at York with a Sociology and English double major as well as being enrolled in the concurrent education program. This is Rachel's fifth year with Peace by PEACE and third year as an executive. Her favourite part of the program is not only that it helps members with professional development but also that the topics we teach aren't just for the targetted audience. Every year mentors and executives are able to learn from the curriculum and from each other. Conflict resolution and character development skills are for everyone which is something that makes being a part of our organization a fantastic experience.
Victor Pena
Curriculum Director
Victor is going into his fourth year of study in the English program at York. This will be his fourth year with Peace by PEACE and his first year on the executive team. His favorite part of the program is watching how the kids attempt to apply the concepts that are taught to them as the weeks progress. He is also looking forward to seeing how the kids like the new curriculum this year.
Roseanne Menezes
Festival Director
Roseanne is going into her third year, studying sociology in the concurrent education program. This is her second year being apart of the Peace By Peace family and her first year on the executive team. Fun fact: She participated in the Peace By Peace program when she was in grade 5 and is passionate about spreading the same excitement Peace By Peace brought her, to other students!
Kristina Issa
Campus Director
Alessia is currently in her fifth year at York University Keele Campus. She is working towards an honours degree in Law and Society and is also in the Concurrent Education Program. This will be her fifth year in Peace by PEACE and her fourth year as an executive. What she loves about the program is that not only do the students get to learn in a fun and exciting way but everyone is included and actively engaged in the program. She also loves the bonds that are built with the students and knowing that she made a positive difference in someone's life. Alessia created the first Peace by PEACE curriculum for high schools called the Vent2Me program. She is currently working on building this in collaboration with Peace by PEACE for years to come and expanding to more schools!
Maggie To
Education Coordinator
Kristina is in her third year at York University as a Kinesiology and Health Science major. This is her third year on PxP and her second year on the executive team. She hopes to help grow the program as well as see the program enter new schools. One of her favorite part of the PxP program is watching mentors enter training, develop their skills as leaders and then enter classrooms sharing their knowledge with the children. Her favorite PxP activity is swamp boards!
Varisha Memon
Events Coordinator
Saina is going into her fourth year at York University as a Biology major. It is her second year on the executive team and this year she hopes to help the organization grow with brand new exciting ideas!
Saina Sefidbakht
Campus Director
Lori Ann is the Mentors Coordinator at Keele campus and is excited to be with the Peace by PEACE program for a fourth year. She completed her English degree at York University and is currently continuing her studies in Education I/S English & Visual Arts. Peace by PEACE has greatly influenced her approach to education due to the positive change it creates within the students; She integrates concepts like conflict resolution, self worth and learning through play in her teachings outside of the program. She also loves working to recruit and train new mentors to spread the light of Peace by PEACE onto university students.
Name
Organizational Development Coordinator
Rachel is going into her fifth year at York with a Sociology and English double major as well as being enrolled in the concurrent education program. This is Rachel's fifth year with Peace by PEACE and third year as an executive. Her favourite part of the program is not only that it helps members with professional development but also that the topics we teach aren't just for the targetted audience. Every year mentors and executives are able to learn from the curriculum and from each other. Conflict resolution and character development skills are for everyone which is something that makes being a part of our organization a fantastic experience.
Cheyon Gnaneswaran
Curriculum Director
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Nabila Elahi
Curriculum Director
Victor is going into his fourth year of study in the English program at York. This will be his fourth year with Peace by PEACE and his first year on the executive team. His favorite part of the program is watching how the kids attempt to apply the concepts that are taught to them as the weeks progress. He is also looking forward to seeing how the kids like the new curriculum this year.
Juwayriya Mohamoud
Festival Director
Roseanne is going into her third year, studying sociology in the concurrent education program. This is her second year being apart of the Peace By Peace family and her first year on the executive team. Fun fact: She participated in the Peace By Peace program when she was in grade 5 and is passionate about spreading the same excitement Peace By Peace brought her, to other students!
Fatima Anwar
Festival Director
Monica is going into her third year getting her Bachelor of Arts as well as her Bachelor of Education majoring in Sociology and minoring in French Studies. This is her second year being apart of the Peace By Peace family and first year on the executive team. Monica is excited to work with her team and is looking forward to many more years of success for the program. She is looking forward to the upcoming year working with new people and creating new experiences. Her favorite peace by peace games are swamp boards & shake your buns!
Damia Uqaili
Curriculum Director
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Ali Torkmani
Schools Director
Arvin is entering his fourth year at the Schulich School of Business doing his BBA program while majoring in Accounting. He plans to attain his MACC diploma after he graduates and then working towards his CPA. His ultimate goal is to work for a Big 4 Accounting firm. He has also attained his real estate license and is pursuing that as a side career. He is now in his second year with Peace By Peace and his first year as an executive. He knew he wanted to be an executive when he saw how inspired the children were and how much love they showed to the mentors. The entire community filled his heart and he has made some memories with the other mentors, executives, and students that will last a lifetime.
Name
Curriculum Director
Victor is going into his fourth year of study in the English program at York. This will be his fourth year with Peace by PEACE and his first year on the executive team. His favorite part of the program is watching how the kids attempt to apply the concepts that are taught to them as the weeks progress. He is also looking forward to seeing how the kids like the new curriculum this year.
Sonya Huang
Schools Director
Maggie is going into her second year, studying Social Work. This is her second year being apart of the Peace by PEACE family and her first year on the executive team. She is looking forward to seeing more young students grow from learning the messages delivered by Peace by PEACE - the importance of self-love and resilience.
Raashil Jain
Fundraising Director
Roseanne Menezes
Fundraising Director
Amanda is going into her fifth year at York University wrapping up her Sociology Degree with hopes to be entering the field of teaching. This is Amanda’s second year being apart of Peace by Peace, and first year as an Executive. She is thoroughly excited for this upcoming year as she anticipates it to be full of making new memories, connections and most importantly making an impact and a difference in peoples lives via the help of Peace by Peace!
Name
Fundraising Director
Madhulika is going into her third year as an undeclared major, exploring everything york has to offer. This is her second year on the team and first as an exec. She's passionate about working with kids and promoting positive mental health, something she feels Peace by Peace helps with. She's looking forward to going into classrooms and teaching again this year!!
Caterina Caravetta
Peace Ball Director
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Monica Nunno
Peace Ball Director
Name
Marketing Director
Emily Han is in her third year majoring in social work at York University. This is her second year volunteering with Peace by Peace, and her first year on the executive team.
Gazi Mohammad
Mentors Coordinator
Juwayriya is going into her fourth year as a Human Rights and Equity major. She is also double certificating in Indiginours studies and Anti racism. This is her second year on the team and her first year as an exec. Juwayriys looks forward to being apart of such an amazing organization and being suounded by people who share the same vision as her.
Sebastian Raposo
Mentors Director
Summeiya Khamissa is currently in her second year at York University, majoring in Children Childhood and Youth, while also in the Concurrent Education bED program. Peace by Peace was a huge part of her experience as a first year university student, and her goal this year is to make every mentor feel completely at home. She hopes to one day be a special education teacher, and use the skills learned through Peace by Peace in the classroom.
Summeiya Khammissa
Professional Development Director
Damia Uqaili
Professional Development Director
Gazi Mohammad is his second year at York University majoring in Kinesiology and Health Science. This is his second year with Peace by Peace and his first year as an executive member. He is an enthuistic Barcelona FC supporter, and he loves to read book in his free time. Gazi is looking forward in making a postive impact on the childrens lives by training and preparing the mentors as best as he can.
Haviva Ford
Recruitment Director
Sarika Chakravorty is in her third year at York University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Child, Childhood, & Youth Studies, This is her second year volunteering with the Peace By PEACE organization and her first year as a team executive member. Sarika has a passion for working with children, photography, event planning, dancing and performing arts, as well as exploring different corners of the world She really looks forward to working with this hardworking and dedicated team of volunteers while also meeting many new faces to create another amazing experience with the Peace By PEACE family.