SLYA Board of Directors
Our Board Members
Back row from the left: Ashley Jackson, Andrew Oosterman, Bryan Davies, Christine Brook (Former ED), Monika Ryl-Stengele, Pam Serff
Front row from the left: Brittiney Poffley, Msenwa Oliver Mweneake, Alyssa Langlois, Daria Adele Juudi-Hope, Teresa Pires
Missing: Kate Ewing
Board Members
Andrew Oosterman
Board Chair/Treasurer
Andrew grew up in Kingston and learnt a strong work ethic from a young age at his family’s flower shop. His academic background includes an Advanced Accounting Diploma from St. Lawrence College and a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Laurentian University (via SLC). He has also earned numerous certificates in board governance.
His strong involvement in student government at SLC helped develop a passion for student advocacy and student affairs. This has led to a career in the non-profit sector currently at the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area as their Finance and Operations Manager.
In his spare time Andrew enjoys curling, photography, camping, hiking, kayaking, and geocaching.
Pam Serff, M.Ed. & OCT
Member
Teresa Pires
Member
Ashley Jackson
Member
Bryan Davies
Vice Chair
Bryan holds an Honours BA in Economics from University of Toronto and an MBA with a major in Finance from York University’s Schulich School of Business. He earned an MA in Counseling Psychology from the Chicago-based Adler Professional School and a certificate in Conflict Management from the University of Waterloo. He has obtained a certificate in Foundations of Stereotype Systems Thinking from University of Alberta. In addition to being Secretary of the Board of St. Lawrence Youth Association, Mr. Davies is a member of the Board of Directors of Highland Shores Children’s Aid in Hastings County and Children’s Mental Health Services in Belleville, Ontario. He is Vice President of the Trenton Lions Club.
Bryan’s professional background encompasses more than 20 years in the Canadian financial services industry. He held positions at Royal Bank of Canada, in commercial lending, marketing, and training and development and later was Vice President, Human Resources at CIBC. Bryan’s ability to bridge the public and private sectors enhances the board’s capacity to attract and manage diverse funding streams, ensuring the long-term sustainability.
Kate Ewing
Member
Kate Ewing is a dedicated fundraiser at SickKids, where she passionately works to make a difference in the lives of young patients and their families. With a strong commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for children, Kate plays a vital role in securing the necessary resources and support for the hospital’s programs and initiatives.
As a mom, Kate understands the unique challenges faced by families and strives to ensure that every child receives the compassionate care they deserve. In her free time, she enjoys reading and staying active by working out at Orangetheory -finding joy and balance in these activities. Kate serves on the board of the St. Lawrence Youth Association where she leverages her expertise to further advocate for community health and well-being. Her dedication to both her professional and personal roles highlights her unwavering commitment to creating a brighter future for children.
Daria Adele Juudi-Hope
Member
Daria Adèle Juüdi-Hope, a Registered Nurse, Educator, and Social Justice Advocate, holds a master’s degree in Public Health from Queen’s University. Daria’s dedication is evident through roles as a Clinical Instructor and Supervisor at the Faculty of Health Sciences-Queen’s University and a Professor in Community and Justice Services at St. Lawrence College.
With eight years of service in remote fly-in-only Indigenous communities in Northern Canada, Daria is driven by a fervent passion for health equity and social justice. As an ardent advocate for public policies, she actively addresses health inequities. Daria’s philanthropic efforts extend globally and locally. Volunteering as a Nurse in rural parts of Uganda and Kenya, Daria showcases a commitment to positive healthcare impact in underserved communities. Locally, Daria chaired Kingston’s Health Providers Against Poverty, contributes to the RNAO’s Anti-Black Racism Taskforce, co-chaired the Black Nurses Leading Change Interest Group (RNAO), and served as President of the Kingston Chapter of the RNAO.
Her diverse roles and extensive volunteer work highlight Daria’s dedication to advancing healthcare, championing social justice, and advocating for the well-being of diverse populations.
Alyssa Langlois
Secretary
Alyssa is currently the Community Residential Facility Manager at Elizabeth Fry Kingston and sits as the co-chair for the Anti-Human Trafficking Working Group for KFLA and is a member of Fighting Against Sex Trafficking (F.A.S.T) 101. With a degree from Queen’s University in Sociology & Psychology, and a Social Service Worker Diploma from St. Lawrence College, Alyssa’s work centers around creating well-resourced communities, and empowering women who have experienced conflict with the law to reintegrate successfully, and make positive, meaningful change in their lives. Alyssa is also passionate about staff wellness and educating her community about signs, prevention strategies, and ways to support survivors of sex-trafficking. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys reading and crochet.
Msenwa Oliver Mweneake
Member
Msenwa Oliver Mweneake, holds a master’s degree in leadership from Kenya and a Master of Social Work from the University of Waterloo. Msenwa is a registered Social Worker and is a practitioner of change management and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Currently working as the Director of Equity, Community Engagement and French Language Services at Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington and as a DEI consultant. He is a board member for Maltby Centre. He has over 15 years of experience as an inclusive and innovative senior leader, community builder, clinical social worker and an advocate for social justice, equity and inclusion. But it is his lived experience that brings texture to his work to seek change starting from within.
Msenwa has practiced social work in Africa and Canada as a clinical social worker in mental health and child welfare. Msenwa is interested in how policies affect macro social work, community building, migration, diversity, equity and inclusion. In 1996, when war broke out in eastern DR Congo, Msenwa was 15 years old and so began his journey where he witnessed merciless killings of friends, neighbours, and family. Through perseverance and determination, and after years as a refugee, Msenwa emerged as an inclusive leader who empowers individuals, and organizations to become inclusive. Msenwa documented this journey in his book Still With Us: Msenwa’s Untold Story of War, Resilience and Hope – with the proceeds going towards supports for Orphaned children and widows in DR Congo through the Msenwa Foundation.
Brittiney Poffley
Member
Monika Ryl-Stengele
Member
Monika Ryl-Stengele earned a BA (Hons) from the University of Toronto, focusing on Law, Crime & Deviance and Sociology, which propelled her into a career spanning 15+ years in the public service and non-profit sectors. During this time, she has passionately supported vulnerable clients and at-risk youth. Currently, Monika provides direct litigation support services to Criminal Senior Counsel at Legal Aid Ontario across the province.
In addition to her professional commitments, Monika actively contributes her time and expertise to various community initiatives, including her role on the Board of Directors for SLYA. She also volunteers as a Social Media Consultant for Quinte Polonia Heritage, leveraging her social media skills to promote cultural heritage and community events.
Beyond her professional endeavors, she is a seasoned world traveler, an amateur photographer, mentor, military spouse, and, above all, a mother.
We're looking for one more Board Member! Apply down below
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Contact Us
Board Correspondence
President, Board of Directors
St. Lawrence Youth Association
817 Division Street
Kingston, ON
K7K 4C2
Email: admin@slya.ca
