Code YOuth's Board for directors
Mona Forrest
Chair of the Board of DirectorsMona Forrest, CAE, has been an Executive Director and Board Member in the not for profit field for more than 25 years, and has contributed as an association manager in a variety of fields, including social services, vocational, international development, health and arts and culture. Her greatest enthusiasms while working in the sector have been fundraising for difficult causes, advocacy without breaking too many rules, fixing problems and communications, start-ups, social media for non-profits, and technology for people. She is the founder of Centre des femmes de Montréal, one of Canada’s longest-standing Women’s Centres, Passages, a shelter and program for young women in difficulty, and co-founder of Auberge Madeleine, one of Canada’s first housing resource for homeless women over 18. Mona has been recognized with awards from United Way, the Montreal Citizenship Council, the Women Who Make a Difference Award and the federal government Citation for Citizenship.
Fareha Muhammady
TREASURERFareha Muhammady trained as a Senior Auditor at MNP, a national accounting firm, receiving her CPA, CA designation in 2018. She holds experience volunteering at an environmental not-for-profit organization. Fareha graduated from Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business in 2016. Fareha holds 5 years of experience auditing private and public companies and not-for-profit organizations. She looks forward to employing her skills to enable youth to reach their full potential.
Tyler Gow
ASSISTANT TREASURERTyler Gow currently works for PricewaterhouseCoopers Canada within the firm’s Financial Services Tax team. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce and Graduate Diploma in Accounting from UOIT in 2018 and has successfully passed the CFE exam and practical experience requirements for his CPA designation. Tyler is a proponent of education as a method of empowerment and, as a student, volunteered as an ambassador and mentor for the Student Accessibility Services, assisting students with disabilities transition to and navigate their post-secondary studies. As a tax professional, he has assisted with local Community Volunteer Income Tax Programs which focuses on the preparation of tax returns for individuals who may otherwise face barriers and, in 2017, served on the Minister’s Advisory Council of Students for the Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
Carter Kilgour
DIRECTORCarter Kilgour has significant experience working as a Data Engineer in the software industry and is well versed with its practices and requirements. Throughout his career, he has become a strong advocate for promoting various methods of learning and taken notice of the disconnect between skills acquired through a formal education and the skills used in day-to-day workplace activities. He has a strong belief that with some time, the right form of instruction, and hands-on experience, an individual can be successful in the software field. It is with this belief that he joined Code Youth with the goal to help break down the barriers to entry so others can find a fulfilling career in technology.
Ranjith Mathew
DIRECTORRanjith Mathew has more than 20 years of experience in international sales, business development, advertising, printing and IT security product marketing. He has used his degree in law to develop his managerial skills in a variety of areas, eventually leading to the successful development of his own recruitment agency. In his most recent role, Mathew managed Career Services for a private college in Ottawa and was instrumental in building relationships within the IT Cyber Security industry, leading to over 1000 new graduate placements in the IT field.
A natural connector, Mathew volunteers as a mentor for numerous nonprofit organizations and assists new immigrants and job seekers to embark on their career paths in Canada. Elected President of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ottawa in 2017; Mathew remains involved in community development, youth leadership, and is associated with various not-for-profit organizations as an active board member. As a self-motivated marketing professional with experience in business development, sales management, digital media marketing and brand management, he is passionate about computer graphics with knowledge of digital publishing tools.
“He wishes to be your #networKING, who is passionate in connecting people for IT Security solutions in North America”
Claude Richer
DIRECTORClaude Richer has a law career path within the criminal justice system and understands the barriers to entry for youth. He is an advocate for youth and believes that teaching computer skills to under-serviced groups is a very worthwhile effort.
ADVISORs TO THE Board of Directors:
Alex Katayama
ADVISOR TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORSAlex Katayama, the Technical Advisor to the Code Youth Board of Directors, is an IT “jack of all trades” with experience in e-commerce development, UI/UX theory, Windows and Linux server administration, networking, and general troubleshooting and technical understanding across virtually every facet of IT. Although Alex pursued a degree in political sciences, he believes that with the proper development of IT skills, any individual can secure a position in the IT sector. Alex is currently the Data/Communications Analyst at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Alex also freelances as a Technical Consultant, where he has gained 10 years of proficient experience in many different facets of technology. His previous work includes being the Manger of Client Services, Training and Quality Control at Envision Online Media inc. where he participated in many versatile roles. Due to Alex’s background, he believes that Code Youth will truly allow at-risk youth to enter employment positions in the IT sector.