We're excited to welcome Katie Andrade, Abigail Lumani, Cindy House, Jose Rochin, Will Cockrell and Mackenzie Kirschner to the Pillar team!
Katie is an intern from Western's Media, Information & Technoculture program and will be supporting our work with VERGE. Will and Mackenzie have come to us on short-term contracts from YOUs Youth Job Connections program and will be helping with Innovation Works and our consulting program.
Abbie, Cindy and Jose are volunteering their time to support Innovation Works, office administration, and VERGE respectively.
About Katie:
I am currently a third year student in the Media, Information and Technoculture program at Western University. I am also a passionate foodie and coffee enthusiast so don't be afraid to ask me about a good place to eat in London. I am so excited to be joining the Pillar Team this semester for an academic internship. I look forward to getting to know you all and working together to achieve Pillar's goals!
Meet Will:
Will is the resident Californian at Pillar and Innovation Works. He arrived to Canada in 2012 and gave up the sequoias for the maples. Will holds an honours degree in philosophy from Western University and he applies his critical thinking skills to Pillar’s stewardship and consultancy programs. After work you can either find him cycling, California dreaming, or conducting research on the 2007-08 financial crisis. He will be attending graduate school for political science in the Fall.
Meet Cindy:
Hello! It is a pleasure to be volunteering in the dynamic environment that Pillar Nonprofit Network and Innovation Works has developed and supports. I currently am employed as a clinical research assistant at LHSC. In my spare time I enjoy running, yoga, studying the Italian language, cooking and spending time with family and friends. I have been fortunate to have had various volunteer positions in my community - working in health care promotion, youth development and education. I am a firm believer in giving back to the community by volunteering, creating opportunities for others through networking and engagement and continually exploring and pursuing occasions for learning and growth. I am usually in the office on Thursday afternoons, keeping up with the data entry. I look forward to meeting you!
Meet Mackenzie:
Hi my name is Mackenzie Kirschner, I’m here through Youth Opportunities Unlimited. I have a two year old daughter who is my life. I’m exploring my options so I can find out what I want to do and then pursue school. My passion lies in helping youth and people with complex needs to achieve success. I love animals, mathematics, dance and gymnastics. I’m a very out-going, energetic, bubbly person. I love to chat, about anything, anywhere with anyone so come say hi!
About Jose:
Jose Rochin is an Ivey Business School grad, former CBC Dragon's Den participant, father of a beautiful little girl and a passionate advocate for the construction of a more intelligent and sensible society through our active participation in the advancement of social & humanitarian causes. He is excited to volunteer for Pillar because he is a strong believer in the social enterprise movement and enjoys being part of this hub of innovation and entrepreneurial drive.
More about Abbie coming soon!