Volunteers in Focus

Rhonda Wong

‘I’ve come to realize how meaningful helping women look and feel better can be. As we put wardrobe essentials together, my goal is to help them feel valued. Seeing them stand taller and smile brighter, I know they’re gaining confidence to take bold steps forward. It’s so rewarding to be part of their journey!’

Pamela Mbalo

‘I am passionate about mentoring and creating an enabling environment for women in technology giving them the confidence they need to reach their potential. Volunteering with the Making Changes Association is very fulfilling when I see the impact of my contribution.’

Don Rutherford

‘As I share some of the values and behaviours prevalent in the Canadian workplace, I learn from the insightful questions and comments of the participants. They inspire me with their depth of experience, courage, curiosity, and persistence. It causes me to reflect on the privileges I have been given.’

Elias Estevao

‘Knowledge is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone. Knowledge is power; and I want to empower everyone to achieve greatness in their lives and their community.’

Trina Cooper

‘I feel so grateful for all the blessings that I have had personally and professionally. I love finding opportunities that allow me to pay it forward as so many people have stepped up to help me along my journey.’

Brian Bench

‘The not-for-profit sector delivers amazing value with often very lean resources to advance very worthy causes. I love seeing the willingness of the broader community to step up and support these hardworking organizations. The most satisfying moments are seeing first-hand the impact that our work has on our beneficiaries. At Women in Technology, for example, it’s wonderful seeing very talented women fully exploit their STEM talents with some assistance from our program.’

Lorelei Lachambre

‘I volunteer because I think it's important to give back to your community. Giving your time and talent to benefit others is easy to do and so rewarding.’

Helen Knight

‘I believe increasing the representation of women in STEM is vital to fully realizing the promise of technology. Empowering newcomer and Indigenous women to launch technical careers raises the talent pool quality and quantity, benefiting us all.’

Alanna Pearson

‘I volunteer because my entire goal in life is to make a difference and give back. I've been through so much bad in my life personally, I know what it's like to have to start fresh and have nothing, so being able to help others in a similar situation means a lot to me.’

Ingrid Martinez

‘I was looking to volunteer for an organization that uplifts women. I found Making Changes in 2013 and have volunteered since for several of the programs. I volunteer because it is important for me to give back to the community and help others. It always inspires me when people come together for a common purpose. I see the impact and hope to make a difference in the world.’

Corinn Claydon

‘I volunteer for the magic of it. Volunteering creates a little weave from which we connect to strangers, and from that weave, we help each other form the magical fabric of shared experience. Volunteering reminds me that after all, we are all just humans intertwined with other humans, and we all need each other sometimes, usually more than we think!’

Terry O’Rourke

‘Clothing affects self esteem. If we see ourselves looking professional or even just put together well in a simple outfit along with good hygiene and a little makeup the world sees us differently and we also see ourselves differently. Every woman can be attractive and as a stylist I love helping women see how beautiful they are. It is my hope each client leaves feeling more capable, more beautiful, and most importantly more confident in their interviews or work.‘

Shelley DeCoste

‘I volunteer as a Mock Interviewer for Making Changes as it gives  me an opportunity to use my Human Resource background, as well as the 10 years working with ESL Adult Students from most continents.  I feel compelled to share my experience and assist our New Canadians with improving their English to improve their lives.’

Dimma Okezie

‘I share my lived experiences through volunteering because it lets me inspire people to imagine limitless possibilities in their careers. I volunteer as my way of showing up for others to help them see that they are not alone and that their ambitions are not far-fetched. It is my way of encouraging people to live authentically beyond their fears while unlocking my own fears.’

Bernadette Charan

‘Volunteering with Dress for Success Calgary is my way of paying it forward to those who may be in the same place as my mom, who migrated to Canada 50 years ago, and in a way that was fun and aligned with my love of fashion. It was the right “fit.” I love meeting the women at each appointment, helping them find their style, and allowing them to see the best in themselves. It usually also leads to a boost in their confidence and a shine of optimism by the end of the appointment.’

Tanya Sharma-Moore

‘I am a woman of color and an immigrant to Canada. A lot of people sponsored and supported me along the way, I want to do the same for others and make it an ‘even playing field’ for all. I believe in ‘lift as you go’! It is imperative to me to see incremental change in our society! I believe in diversity of thought and its positive impact on our business, and community in large.’

Tahir Merali

‘Part of supporting others is how we are able, together, to build stronger communities for longer-term success. Giving back is not an option, it is essential, and I am grateful to the Making Changes Association for the opportunity to help their members who seek to orient their careers toward positive outcomes.’

Sharmin Surani

‘I believe it is important for those who have the talent to be able to use it for social good. My commitment to volunteering and passion for diversity advocacy leads me to be a part of this wonderful organization, Making Changes Association.’

Vanessa Smith

‘I joined My Best Friend’s Closet as a stylist because I love fashion and working with children. We get clients with different style ranges and a lot of our clients are from different countries in the world. Being new to Canada, sometimes they are new to fashion that is different from their home country. It's truly an amazing and empowering experience because at the end of the day, you feel so rewarded.’

Ellie Khalili

‘As a woman with a diverse educational background and work experience in business and software development, I believe in the importance of giving back to my community, particularly to immigrant women who are seeking technical guidance. Volunteering as a technical mentor allows me to use my skills and knowledge to empower and make a positive impact on the lives of immigrant women. Helping them navigate the complexities of the tech industry and building their technical skills is something that brings me a great sense of fulfillment and purpose. I recognize that there are many immigrant women in need of technical support and guidance, and I want to do my part to make a difference for them.’

Patty Miller

‘I volunteer to pay it forward!  I have been a volunteer with various good firms like Women in Technology for many years.  Knowing that I am helping someone grow and learn is exceptionally fulfilling for me and I will continue to do this always!’ 

Paul Selway

‘The slogan “a hand up” not “hand out” really resonates with me. My Mother and Mother-in-law were both immigrant women of color who faced significant challenges getting into the workforce and trying to raise large young families in a not too welcoming 1960s/1970s England. My wife and three daughters are also immigrant women of color in Canada that didn’t face quite so many challenges but still had obstacles to overcome. The occasional “hand up” made so much difference to our family. Making Changes’ WIT program has now provided me with the opportunity to pay it forward and provide a “hand up” where I feel I can help make a real difference in other families' lives … even, at times, with minimal effort on my behalf.’

Illa Edgar

‘Bringing my values to life is incredibly important to me. It means that I don't just profess them, but I try to truly live them daily. Volunteering is one way I bring my values of Connection and Generosity to life. Making Changes has been a constant in my volunteering life since 2011. Each and every time I share, I receive so much in return. It's as much of a lift to my own heart as it is for those it serves. The connections I forge with new friends, who are also amazing women, are priceless to me.’

Colleen Purdy

‘It has always been my personal belief that I have been blessed with many opportunities in my life and so… where I can and when I can, I need to use my skill set to give back to my community. I hope that I can make a difference with my volunteering efforts and that I can continue to volunteer in some capacity for many years to come.’

Marlene Cameron

‘We don’t just outfit women for the professional world, our other programs give extra training, the preparation needed for interviews, and other life skills.’

Zenwill Sequeira

‘Volunteering provides me with physical and mental rewards. I feel optimism and joy watching clients walk away with a new wardrobe and are so grateful for the help I have provided them. I have a passion to help others and it is truly meaningful to me, that I may have had an impact on another person through my influence and advice.’

MARJORIE HUNCHAK

‘My heart is so full after every shift, I feel pure joy. My experience has been so rewarding and truly life-altering for me.’

Linda Aldridge

“Nothing short of magic happens when we find the right clothes. At that moment the clients light up, they feel good about themselves, and are hopeful about their future.”