eric tribe, strategy

I wanted to be a part of redseven because I felt it was such a great way to make a difference, but through an organization that was fun, entrepreneurial, dynamic and inspired.  As we started up there have been an incredible amount of learnings along the way and it’s made for an interesting challenge as we set out to make a difference in the world.  When I’m not involved with redseven, I spend my days as a consultant for the Boston Consulting Group here in Toronto.

My favourite teacher was my piano teacher as I was growing up.  She put in so much time and energy to make me a better person, her lessons and her understanding went far beyond the keyboard as she was using piano as a way to teach me about life.  Half of the values I was learning I didn’t realize until several years down the road; the value of discipline and perseverence, the importance of personal expression, the ability to achieve what felt like the impossible.  She continues to be an inspiration in my life.

My favourite YouTube video is Shihan – Def Poetry Jam.

stuart watts, eventist

Why did you join redseven?

Youth education is something that has been very close to me for several years. As a teenager I was exposed to the unbelievable poverty in south-east Asia and was really taken back by the appalling conditions at local schools. I immediately developed a desire to help the youth of the developing world and have been a strong advocate of education. I wanted to join redseven so I could work along side some amazing and inspirational young professionals to help make a difference in the lives of children around the world.

When you’re not volunteering with redseven, what do you do with your time?

I work in Credit Card Product Development for a major bank and also chair a regional committee at the Bank dedicated to enhancing the employment experience of young professionals through personal and professional development.

What do you do for the redseven team?

Eventist! Working with an amazing team of talented individuals to execute redseven events.

Who is your favourite teacher and why?

Although she wasn’t my teacher, I would have to say my favourite “teacher” was a high school guidance counsellor, Mrs. Quennell. “Quenny” as she was known to the students always found a way to encourage and motivate her students, and always found a way to help students reach their potential.

What’s your favourite YouTube video?

Obama / Will.I.Am. – Yes We Can.

leanne bowden, operations pilot

foujan ziadlou, digital media guru

Foujan

Why did you join redseven?

I joined redseven because the global education cause is very close to my heart. Having immigrated to Canada as a child, I am very aware of how fortunate we are as Canadians – and it saddens me that the world’s youth don’t have the same rights to primary education that we, as Canadians, do. This cause is extremely relevant, appropriate and vital to our generation. How can the global youth live to their potential tomorrow if no one takes a stand for their greatness today?

When you’re not volunteering with redseven, what do you do with your time?

I work for a word of mouth and social media marketing agency in downtown Toronto where I manage the program and execution team to victories large and small – we prefer large.

What do you do for the redseven team?

As a part of the engagement team, I get to work on (what I consider to be) the fun stuff. We work on ways to engage our community online and how to take this interaction and apply it offline. Ya, we’re pretty rad! Want to join our team? Check out the volunteer opps under the ‘Join’ tab!

Who is your favourite teacher and why?

I’ve been fortunate to have quite a few memorable and influential teachers in my life, but Mrs. Daly started it all – she was my first grade teacher but has stayed in my heart ever since. She taught me the importance of asking questions, that it was okay to be different as long as you were being true to yourself, and she helped me find my love for reading at a very early age.

What’s your favourite YouTube video?

The New Dork - Entrepreneur State of Mind

lisa kendrick, web mistress

Why did you join redseven?

I am who I am, where I am and what I am today because of my education, both inside and outside of the classroom.  I joined redseven because I realized that not everyone in the world has access to the elements of a basic education and I want to help change this.  With the extremely inspired, motivated and fun team at redseven, I believe we (along with our volunteers) have the potential to make a sizeable impact.

When you’re not volunteering with redseven, what do you do with your time?

From Monday to Friday I am an Associate Sales Strategy Manager at Johnson & Johnson Inc.  Essentially, I’m the liaison between our sales and marketing groups.  I’ve been with J&J for about a year and a half and have enjoyed every minute.  When I’m not at my “day job” you can find me running lakeside, spending time with friends and family or on the dance floor.  Seriously.

What do you do for the redseven team?

I’m the web mistress which means I take care of all website activations.  From general page edits to online campaign promotions to the posting of this blog, I manage everything related to redseven.ca.  I work very closely with Fouj (who you’ll meet soon) who is our exceptionally talented social media guru.  Fouj and I work with Michael & Gabrielle.  The four of us make up the Engagement team.  Our focus is on connecting with you!

Who is your favourite teacher? Why?

My favourite teacher of all time has to be Mrs. Facecchia, a remarkable woman I had the pleasure of being taught by for grades 2 and 3.  Mrs. F had a way of bringing even the most mundane of subjects to life in the classroom.  Perhaps her biggest strength and one that I admire to this day is her creativity in everything she did.  Mrs. F showed me that creativity should never be underestimated: a lesson I’ve always kept near and dear to my heart.

What’s your favourite YouTube video?

I think we should all watch this each morning to get pumped up for the day ahead and remind ourselves that, “I can do anything good!”

Jessica’s Daily Affirmation