Board of Directors

Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Alexander’s professional experience is cross-sector – having worked in finance, investment, security, public service, and sales. A full-time self-employed Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty since 2002, Alexander continuously contributed his time to many levels of community development initiatives, including to the transformed city of Kanata’s Youth Advisory Committee and a number of its municipal development workshop projects drafting design guidelines for the downtown core. Alexander extends his long-term commitment to the Western Ottawa Resource Center by assisting the elderly with the functions of their daily lives and driving them to their appointments allowing them access to personalized transportation. Previous employment with several of the world's leading investment firms has provided Alexander with sharp expertise in finance, and allowed him to receive his Canadian Securities Course and Conduct and Practices course accreditations with the Canadian Securities Institute.

 

 

Patrick McCormack, Founding Director
Patrick McCormack's experiences are mirrored by his advancement as an artist and a person. Not being a person to keep others from experiencing a love for hip hop, and recognizing that the local talent level in Ottawa was rising, he decided to form a group called the Boogaloo Trybe, which would from its conception to remain in the forefront of Ottawa's urban community. Boogaloo Trybe has performed alongside many successful, high-profile hip hop artists. In 1997 Patrick was a guest speaker at YOUCAN's Youth Conference, speaking on various methods of conflict resolution. Realizing that being a artist or public figure comes with a conscious sense of community responsibility, Patrick frequently dedicates his time to speak and educate youth at local high schools on the importance of Black history. Boogaloo Trybe has contributed to community development through their music. Patrick’s dedication to making quality music led him to pursue a diploma in recording engineering after finishing his bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Ottawa. He also worked and volunteered for various businesses, organizations and productions, an effort that would serve to solidify a working knowledge of many aspects of the music industry, from event production to audio engineering.

Anita Wong, Founding Member
Trained in classical piano through the Royal Conservatory of Music, Anita continues to work in the arts co-founding and co-directing The 411 Initiative For Change. An advocate for social justice, having worked in the areas of sustainable development, international peace-building, human rights and gender equality, she has worked in the non-profit environment for seven years, serving two managing development programmes in the Asia region for an international development agency. Currently, she works for the Canadian Government on informing and advancing Canadian cultural development and policy research. Anita has contributed her perspectives on international affairs, governance, women and development, political and electoral participation and other public policy issues. She has extensive experience in organizational management and in structuring the strategic direction of a non-profit organization. Anita holds a Certificate in Public Administration from the University of Ottawa's School of Management.