Leadership

The Sage Foundation鈥檚 Board members and supporters are people living, working, learning and contributing in the local community. Together, our goal is to build a better community through the recognition of excellence in Community Service, Leadership and Multiculturalism. Individually and together, we are inspired to bring our experience and share our vision.

We work to inspire energy and excitement to the process of learning and contribution by engaging youth and new immigrants in our communities. We work to support and guide them through challenges they may face. Through educational programs, including the building of new skills and competency in technology, we work to motivate their curiosity and help them to achieve their goals. We believe that as we support them, we inspire these individuals to give back and support their local communities and even further, to the world.

  • Mawunyo Honore Gbedze

    FOUNDER / CO-CHAIR

    I always believed that education was the most critical for building a strong, vibrant and competitive Canada for the next generation to be ready to lead well our Nation in the coming future.

    Giving talented students an opportunity to excel would result in successive new generations of leaders. We can do it with your support and invite you to join us to make a difference.

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  • Deidre Heim

    HONORARY BOARD MEMBER

    I believe that great success and personal growth can be obtained if you constantly keep challenging yourself.

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  • Dr. Heather Holden

    HONORARY BOARD MEMBER

    Dr. Heather Holden is a portfolio manager with UBS Investment Management Canada. Active in her community, she is a volunteer Big Sister and sits on the boards of The Nature Trust of BC.

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  • Senator Yonah Martin

    HONORARY BOARD MEMBER

    The Honourable Yonah Martin has spent her life building bridges between different cultural communities in BC. Born in Seoul, Korea she immigrated to Canada with her family in 1972, settling in Vancouver.

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  • Troy Peart

    CO-CHAIR

    Troy Peart has written for The Afro News for a number of years, sharing his expertise in the financial industry. In his current role he is a Regional Financial Planning Consultant at RBC Financial Group.

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  • Helena Kaufman

    HONORARY BOARD MEMEBER

    Helena Kaufman is a B.C. based trainer, columnist and blogger specializing in communications.

    She works with new Canadians and established professionals and service providers who want to persuade, influence, inform and sell effectively.

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  • Clayton Purdy

    Honorary Board Member

    The past 25 years has been a time of relationship building, growth, and collaboration with all stakeholders in private enterprise, Government and Non-profit organizations. Clayton鈥檚 career has been centered in the development and promotion of higher education for ALL.

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  • Taylor Swaffield

    HONORARY BOARD MEMBER

    Taylor Swaffield joined the SAGE Foundation in May 2020 as an Honorary Board member. Taylor has earned his BA in Environmental Geography from Simon Fraser University, and a MSc. Marketing from the University of Liverpool in which his thesis was focused on enhancing charitable giving.

    Currently, Taylor works as a Sales & Business Development Associate at Vancouver Bullion & Currency Exchange. In his spare time, Taylor is an active member in the hockey community in the Lower Mainland. Taylor looks forward to strengthening and enhancing our youth鈥檚 future in building Canada and our society. Originally from Edmonton, AB, Taylor now lives in Port Moody, BC with his partner Kristen and son Oliver.

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  • LAZARE K. HOUNNAKE

    HONORARY BOARD MEMBER

    Professional recording artist both in Togo, Africa and in Canada. Gifted musician with experience on several continents which engages young people to share their experiences through music.

    Counselling Certificate (Community Counselling Certificate); completed courses in individual, family, and group counselling theory and practice based on client-centred counselling models

    路 Empathic, respectful, and discrete listener; tactful and patient during stressful situations

    路 Excellent knowledge of community resources and services for multi-barriered clients

    路 Experience working with children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds

    路 Effective problem solver and decision maker; exceptional conflict resolution skills

    路 Fluent in English, French, and Ewe

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