Our Team
Sharon Selway
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT COORDINATORSharon Selway is the Youth Engagement Coordinator at Code Youth. She is a graduate of the University of Waterloo, where she majored in Social Development Studies and Psychology and minored in Cognitive Science. She has recently completed a Master of Education in Leadership, Evaluation, Curriculum and Policy Studies at the University of Ottawa.
Sharon has previously worked as a robotics camp instructor where she helped kids learn basic robotics and coding concepts in a fun and interactive way. She looks forward to sharing her passion for education with future students and supporters of Code Youth.
Taylor Hill
Website Coordinator & Content CreatorTaylor Hill is the Website Coordinator/ Content Creator. As a graduate of Carleton University, he earned his Bachelor’s in Psychology and minoring in Business. With over 5 years worth of experience in IT Marketing and Account Management. As well as previous experience working with other not-for-profit organizations. He loves cooking at home over the weekend.
He is looking forward to sharing his experiences and knowledge to help Code Youth better communicate their message.
Previous Team Members
2019
Rachel Smith
Grant WriterRachel Smith was a Grant Writer at Code Youth. As a Master’s Candidate at McGill University, she specializes in Medieval Literature written by women authors. She decided to pursue a position at Code Youth to put her writing, editing, and research skills to use helping at-risk youth attain the support and opportunities they deserve.
A fierce advocate for education, Rachel has always had an appetite for knowledge. Her desire to learn manifests itself in some of her favourite hobbies: reading, poetry-writing, documentary-watching, and podcast-listening. In the past, she has worked as a student writer for The University of Victoria Student Blog, published her poetry and essays in both local and national journals, and even learned how to create her own podcasts.
Throughout her time at Code Youth, Rachel realized her hope to gain experience using her skills as a writer and researcher in a non-profit organization with the goal of making a lasting impact on Canadian communities.
Mela Setijoso
Web Content CreatorMela Setijoso was a web content creator at Code Youth. She’s a graduate of Computer Science from Concordia University, and recently moved to Ottawa. She has over two years of experience in web development and graphic design. She is passionate about the web industry and the people she works with.
By working with Youth Canada, she realized her hope to gain valuable coding experience and strengthen her writing skills. She believes that this experience will be rewarding and have a positive impact on youth at risk.
Jenita Zhang
Youth Engagement CoordinatorJenita Zhang was the Youth Engagement Coordinator at Code Youth. Having just completed her first year in the Double Degree program with Computer Science at the University of Waterloo and Business Administration at Wilfrid Laurier University, she wanted the opportunity to share her love for programming with others and help inspire those with an interest to start on their coding journey.
Looking for an opportunity over the summer to gain more experience in both the coding and non-profit sector, Code Youth offered her a combination of both with a chance to make a positive impact in the lives of at-risk youth. In the past, she has worked in projects with youth engagement as an event planner for the Teen Advisory Group at the Ottawa Public Library and looks forward to continuing to improve the lives of youth today and meet other passionate individuals.
2018
Ana Baquero
Corporate LiaisonAna Baquero was the corporate liaison at Code Youth, then in her third year of political science at Carleton University.
She decided to work at Code youth Canada as it gave her a chance to help influence the lives of young people just like her, that may not have had the same opportunities and/or privileges that she has had. She was enthusiastic for the opportunity to help build up Code Youth from a start-up to a running initiative.
She transferred what she learned in school from a theoretical to a more practical perspective that will contribute positively to her community.
Throughout her academic career she has learned about the work of non-profits and NGO’s through the influence they create locally, nationally and internationally, and thus is happy to contribute to one to the best of her abilities.
Karina Dmitrieva
Web Content CreatorKarina Dmitrieva was a web content creator at Code Youth, just finished her fourth year of computer science at Carleton University.
Throughout her academic career she was able to strengthen her technical skills and analytical skills.
Through the opportunity to work for Code Youth, she realized her hopes to strengthen her writing and coding skills.She believed that by combining her creativity and the skills that she earned through her academic career helped her to make a positive impact on youth at risk.
Hadi Tehfe
Government LiaisonHadi Tehfe was the government Liaison for Code Youth Canada. As a second-year student of the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at McMaster University, he was given the opportunity to explore his interests beyond health.
During his first year he joined The Muse, a health and humanitarian magazine, as a writer. Moreover, he pursued Hackathons within the Ontario region, and worked on several coding projects.
As a result, he discovered a passion for coding and writing. With summer just on the horizon, he wanted to pursue a summer activity that was rewarding and would have a positive impact on at-risk youth. When he heard of Code Youth, he decided that it was the perfect place to amalgamate both his love for coding and writing. Throughout his time here, he realized his hopes to strengthen not only his writing skills, but gain valuable coding experience that will serve useful in the future.
2017
Keylan Musto
Training Development ManagerKeylan was in the midst of attaining his Masters in Counselling Psychology at the University of Ottawa.
He had over three years of experience in the field of brain-injury rehabilitation, where he delivered cognitive, physical and functional programs that facilitated each client’s return-to-work goals.
Originally from Kamloops, British Columbia, Keylan is passionate about working with people and enriching their lives and considered Code Youth to be a great way to contribute to his new community.
His strengths in research and program development were an aid in the making of a quality and engaging coding program, especially with special needs individuals.
Mei Li
Business Development ManagerMei Lei was in her final year at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management studying Finance and Accounting.
With a history in volunteering and social enterprises, she also has a passion for developing and supporting her community.
She has realized her hope to combine her strengths in analytics and love of altruism to grow and advance Code Youth!
VOLUNTEERS
Maxime Lê
IT ArchitectMaxime received a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from University of Ottawa and he has over four years of experience working in the non-profit sector as well as with community organisations. He is passionate about his community and the people he works with.
He often facilitates workshops focused on personal and professional development and is a freelance contractor in web and graphic design. He likes to take on multiple projects at a time, and runs three other websites.
Currently, he is a research assistant at University of Ottawa. Maxime is excited to explore how Code Youth can help more people obtain jobs. Check out his YouTube channel for some employment tips!
