ABOUT US
ABOUT US
DESTA’s staff
Barkley Cineus Jr.
Interim Executive Director
Bonnie Zehavi
Programs Director
Wanda Huskinson
Office Manager
Mikaella Goldsmith
Support Services Coordinator
Heldden Byumvuhore
Community Worker
Terry Ngala
Fundraising Trainee
Dachena Osias
Employability Outreach Worker
Neelam Patel
Grant Writing & Social Media Trainee
DESTA’s Board of Directors
Based in Little Burgundy and serving participants across Greater Montreal,
DESTA supports Black youth aged 18 to 35 in reaching their educational, employability,
and entrepreneurial goals through a holistic and individualized approach.
As President of Jormian Capital, Ian has successfully financed and managed numerous start-up companies by working together with management to assist companies through these critical stages.
Ian joined the DESTA board in 2017 and has focused on organizational stability and the implementation of the entrepreneurship and employability programs. As chairman, Ian will use his experience in business and community service to help guide DESTA in carrying out its mission.
His community service experience includes:
- President of the Board of Directors of the NDG Seniors Citizen Council
- Volunteer NDG food depot (food delivery to shut ins).
- Volunteer, tutor, board member and chair of programs committee at Tyndale St.Georges.
- Co-chair of the Community Innovation Fund’s governance committee.
Peter holds experience in both the public and private sector where he formerly worked as a professor and latterly worked as a marketing director for the Dunn family’s investment management company.
For almost two decades, Peter has been fundraising on behalf of various community organizations in Little Burgundy. His goal is to expand DESTA’s notoriety in order to reach more individuals, funders, and foundations.
David has spent over thirty years working in the management of a retail department- store chain and has worked for twenty years as a retail management consultant. His work in the public service domain includes being president of a local hospital, member of the hospital’s three foundations, founding director of a community health and well- being centre, committee chair for several events to support a summer camp for handicapped children, 12 years of involvement with Farha Foundation (HIV – AIDS), running an annual clothing sale that, over ten years produced net revenues to the foundation of over $1 million, involvement with the Canadian Red Cross, fundraising for Cystic Fibrosis, and president of a summer-stock theatre company.
David strongly believes in DESTA’s three key goals of providing help with education, employment, and entrepreneurship. David recognizes that Black youth often face discrimination, unfair treatment and abuse, and he wishes his contributions can help Black youth successfully move forward in their lives.
James has been a board member since 2016 where he is responsible for managing DESTA’s financial planning and reporting, as well as participating at board committees on an advisory basis.
At an early age, James learned to use his skills to serve others, and he is now dedicated to helping marginalized youth reach their potential.
James is an alumnus from the John Molson School of Business and brings over 25 years of experience in financial management both within the private business and non- for-profit sector.
Dexter is the Co-Founder and Former Creative Director of accessories brand WANT Les Essentiels as well as the retail concept WANT Apothecary.
Throughout his career, Dexter has received several awards for his successes including:
- The Canadian Arts and Fashion Award for Accessory Designer of the Year in2014 and 2016.
- People Shaping the Fashion Industry from 2014-2018
- Business of Fashion’s prestigious BOF 500
- 100 Most Creative People in 2015 by Fast CompanyDexter is deeply inspired by entrepreneurship and social purpose and believes that DESTA has succeeded in developing an actionable mission, a strong network, and a diverse leadership team that he is humbled and excited to be a part of.
As an experienced educator, with a deep understanding of business, government and organizational challenges, Brenda is a force for social change and has moved gender, youth and community capacity building from the margins to the mainstream.
Throughout her professional history, Brenda’s goal has been to foster an environment of inclusiveness, and to be a catalyst for positive change through empowerment. High on her priority are issues concerning youth and women.
DESTA is an organization Brenda feels has done significant work in these areas and wants to contribute to its continued impact on the community in the areas of education, entrepreneurship and capacity building. Believing in DESTA’s mission, Brenda is committed to helping foster its growth and impact on the community.
