Future Leaders
Jamaica Diaspora Canada Foundation
Building Nations, Inspiring Generations
Born August 7th, 1986 in Spanish Town, Jamaica. Lennox comes from a very ambitious family that wanted the next generation to prosper. Lennox moved to Canada at 4yrs old but frequently attended Jamaica to visit his mother whom still resides there. Lennox has graduated Durham College with a diploma in Legal Administration. He went on to graduate from (UOIT) University of Ontario Institute of Technology with a degree in Criminology. During his stay at both post-secondary institutions he was briefly President of CASA (Caribbean African Student Association). During his reign as President CASA raised the most amount of $10.000, and had many events giving back to the community. Lennox was also a manager of the Colleges Men’s Basketball team.Through his networking skills and social presence Lennox strives to reach out to the young Jamaican community and build on the JDCF brand.
Our Exec Team
Lennox Richards - President
Keneesh McKenzie is an experienced and passionate community builder. In her youth she was taught the importance of involvement, being a positive role model and supporting others. These values and her leadership skills were first applied at Clarkson Secondary School where she held the position of Vice-President of AfriCanada, a student club with the goal of spreading awareness and culture. Her interest in social groups and community building grew as she entered into post secondary education at Wilfrid Laurier University where she studied Communications and Business. During her university career she maintained positions on the executive team of WLU’s Association of Black Students under the Diversity and Equity Office. Her continuous involvement led her to the position of President. There, she led over 40 members into a successful year while promoting change and creating awareness within the Waterloo Region. It is her hope that with a dynamic executive team and committed members, the JDCF- Future Leaders will do great work to contribute to the progression of our community, particularly in youth development.
Keneesh McKenzie - Vice President
Krista Jennings - Secretary
Born in Kingston Jamaica and grew up in Montego Bay,St James. Krista attended Mount Alvernia High School for Girls while living in Jamaica. She later migrated to Toronto, Canada at the age of 13, where she continued her studies and later graduated from York University with a degree in Political Science. One of the things she holds very dear to her heart is Jamaica. The country that fostered her development and help shape the young woman she has become. As such, it was only natural that she became involved with the Jamaican Diaspora Canada Foundation Future Leaders in the fall of 2009, where she was became involved with JEL networking and plans to be apart of the great work the JDCF-FL will achieve.
Nicole Stewart - Membership Directors
Nicole Stewart was born in Portland, Jamaica and migrated to Canada at the age of eight. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Business Administration. She is currently employed as a Fundraiser in the not-for-profit sector. She is an actively engaged community leader who has collaborated with the Consulate General of Jamaica’s office to organize quarterly youth forums entitled Emerging Leaders Network and JEL (Jamaican Emerging Leaders) Mixers. Nicole sits on the executive planning team for Jam 4 Jamaica; an annual event that raises scholarships for Jamaican students. In celebration of Jamaica’s 50thindependence, Nicole joined Jamaica50’s 4WD committee. This committee participated in various Independence initiatives.
Nicole has been a member of the Jamaican Diaspora Canada Foundation (JDCF) since 2009. As a Future Leader, the youth arm of the JDCF, she attended and sat on the planning committees for the Future Leaders caucuses of the Diaspora conferences in 2009 and 2011. She continues her commitment to the Future Leaders as Membership Relations Director and wants to see active campaigns to engage and retain members. Nicole sees the wealth of expertise and knowledge that exists in the Jamaican Diaspora and believes we are well positioned and poised to capitalize on it. Through active listening and working collaboratively with our peers we will build synergistic relationships with our community partners and maximize our effectiveness. Nicole is dedicated, motivated and excited about doing her part to give back to her “home and native land”..
Marsha-Gaye Knight - Fundraising and Special Events Director
Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica where her abilities for leadership and track and field were nurtured at the St. Andrew High School for Girls. Marsha-Gaye attained a full athletic scholarship to the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota and made a name for herself as a hurdler and sprinter for the Lady Marauders. Being the only Jamaican at the university for four years and achieved titles such as: Most Valuable Player Indoor/Outdoor seasons, Bismarck Quarterback Club Certificate of Merit, Track and Field Team Captain, Student Body President, Homecoming Queen, Dancer for the NBA D-League Dakota Wizards and two time State Champion with Delta Epislon Chi just to name a few.
Graduating with a BSc. in Social and Behavioral Sciences with a Pre-Law concentration and minor in Public Relations, Marsha-Gaye had originally aspired to be a Sports Attorney. Returning to Toronto after graduation Marsha-Gaye’s passion for sports and events brought about a career change. She subsequently enrolled at George Brown College and obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Sports and Event Marketing and graduated on Honor Roll.
Currently, Marsha-Gaye works in the sports and event marketing industry and enjoys being able to organize and execute various marketing and sporting events across the country. She also volunteers with Athletics Ontario as a track and field official. In her free time she enjoys dancing, reading, travelling and exploring the vast entertainment opportunities in the city.
Marsha-Gaye is an enthusiastic member the JDCF-FL who wants to see the young professionals of the Diaspora excel in the community and establish a precedent of pride, excellence and dedication. Ideally she aspires to create a quality network for our generation to tap into and be able to utilize to maintain cohesion and build a legacy for the generations after to follow.
Yanique Williams - Policy Director
Born in Jamaica, Yanique has been very active within Toronto's Jamaican Diaspora and the Toronto Community at large serving on committees and executive boards for various organizations. She has experience working within the settlement sector and policy previously working at the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants and the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation. She obtained a B.A. Hons. in Political Science from Queen's University and is currently studying at York University's Glendon College where she will complete a bilingual Master in Public and International Affairs in April 2013. Yanique enjoys being active with community initiatives as it provides an outlet for her to give back to the community and various organisations that have supported her along her journey.
Natalie Hanson - Regional Director
Born and raised in Toronto, Natalie Hanson has always been exposed and has always embraced different cultures but stays strongly rooted to her Jamaican heritage. Natalie is a York University graduate with a Law and Society and Sociology B.A. Honours degree and also holds a Law Clerk diploma from Seneca College. Currently working in the Corporate Secretariat department at Hydro One, Natalie has become very involved with the Charity Campaign, raising awareness of the many different charities across the country while raising money for those specific charities. Natalie’s future goals include continuing to be frequently involving herself in charitable activities and as an aspiring Labour Relations lawyer. Her attendance at the 2009 Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Kingston, Jamaica has made her more aware of the issues going on in the country, which is why she has become apart of the Jamaican Diaspora Future Leaders as Regional Coordinator. In this position, Natalie is determined to help support the advancement of the lives.