• (905) 277-8455
  • info@cacdcanada.org
  • 1275 Mississauga Vly Blvd, Mississauga, ON L5A 3R8
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Who we are

The Team

Meet Our People

CACD was established by Ron and Sonia Cunningham, devoted Christians enthusiastic about helping others less fortunate. They work tirelessly, focusing on activities, services and supports that assist BIPOC youth with employment, protection, recreation, education, and health promotion. Positive Youth Development (PYD) has been implemented to build and strengthen skills, promote healthy relationships, and provide the means for youth to realize their full potential.

Our Founder

Ron Cunningham

Founder & CEO
Ron Cunningham is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens for the Advancement of Community Development (CACD), a Black-led Registered Charitable Organization that operates in the GTA. CACD works to transform the lives of “at-risk” youth by performing programming that serves their unique needs, develops leadership capabilities, and fosters civic participation. Ron, a competent accountant, has worked in the financial sector for over 20+ years. He worked in the Chief Accountant and Corporate Finance Divisions of the Bank of Montreal (BMO), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), Banca Commerciale Italiana of Canada (BCI) and Royal Trust, a subsidiary of Royal Bank (RBC). Ron, a social change-maker and compassionate humanitarian, has impacted the lives of 100s of youth over the last 20 years, perfecting his Youth Development Programs. These seek to improve the lives of children and youth by meeting their basic physical, developmental, and social needs and by helping them to build the competencies needed to achieve their full potential and become successful adults.

Board of Directors

Marva Dennis

Assistant Treasurer

Marva Dennis loves volunteering and has been doing so with Citizens For The Advancement of Community Development for over 6 years and currently one of its directors. Also, Marva is a Tax Specialist and CEO of MavisCo Financial Services Inc. She is committed to helping clients achieve business success by helping them establish practical and sound tax and financial processes. Focused on services for small businesses and individuals, she is committed to delivering tax and financial services that meet each client’s unique objectives. She has a MSc. in Accounting and over 25 years’ experience in Accounting, Taxation and Management combined.

Brian Fox

Chair

My name is Brian Fox as stated above. Born in Guyana S.A Married to Semone King-Fox over two decades. My international experience began in Costa Rica in 1992 doing a feasibility study for the Liberia International Airport - Project Costa II funded by the Canadian International Development Agency CIDA. Former Head of men’s department North Peel Community Church. Scribe on the Constitution Reform Commission - Guyana Former member of the Rotaract Club of Georgetown, Guyana Former member of Youth Challenge International. Former board member of Peel Condo corporation - Treasurer Member of the Guyana Defense Force ex-soldier Assoc. Served in the Guyana Defense Force. Former Vice president of Guyana Public Service union youth group Former Subject Secretary responsible for international affairs PNC Head of security and logistics Congress Place Guyana. I am an experienced Travel Professional with over seventeen eighteen years in the travel industry. Ten years of managing hotel products and inventory. Worked as Banking Associate at BMO bank of Montreal. Trained in the Principles and practices of teaching/ Religious Education, Leadership, Educational history and classroom theory. Entrepreneur Co-Founder / Operations Manager of Brise Creations Education Industrial Relations and Social Studies - CLC Guyana Eco-Tourism University of Guyana. Canadian Studies – York University Religious Education – Tyndale University

Alex Gregory

Assistant Secretary

A longtime editor and writer, Alex Gregory brings professionalism and dedication to his role as Managing Editor of Peel Weekly News. Having worked in multiple media companies throughout Peel, including The Mississauga News, RJ Entertainment Publishing (Port Credit Village Times/Lakeshore Village), Alex applies the lessons he’s learned from over 13 years in the industry to bring the latest breaking news stories, lifestyle features, business profiles and more to a discerning clientele that includes politicians, organizations, businesses and residents – and has the track record to prove it. Alex is also a long-time volunteer who has achieved record success with numerous organizations throughout Peel Region, including a successful Ontario Trillium Foundation grant of $500,000 through his work as President of Mohawk Park Tennis Club in south Mississauga

Wes Mckenzie

Treasurer

Wes McKenzie joined CACD 10 years ago and is delighted to serve on the board of directors. For the past 25 years, Wes, a Real Estate agent in Mississauga, has volunteered his time at Nursing homes in Mississauga, where he brings live guitar music to residents on Saturdays. He hopes that in these challenging times, he can continue to make a difference in the lives of the young residents of Mississauga.

Colin McClean

Officer

As the visionary Founder and Director of Training and Development at KeepMovingForward.ca, Colin McClean is on a mission to ignite minds and inspire transformation. Through his work, he empowers learners to dream boldly and take actionable steps toward building the lives they envision. Colin is also the author of the transformative self-help book “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To… My Career — 50 Practical Rules To Get The Job You Want!”, a guide that has helped countless readers unlock their potential and seize new opportunities. With over 25 years of dynamic business experience, Colin has become a beacon of hope and change in community building, counselling, and recruiting. He has designed life-changing courses and facilitated workshops that provide at-risk youth, young adults, and newcomers with a safe and empowering environment to learn and grow. A relentless advocate for Black excellence in education, Colin has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives, including 11 STEM programs that have positively impacted the lives of over 3,312 Black boys across North America. Recognized as a leader of distinction, Colin was celebrated by the City of Brampton as a 2024 Black Community Builder and Champion. His dedication to uplifting others extends to his roles as a Board Member of Citizens for the Advancement of Community Development and as President and Chair of the Roots Community Services Board of Directors. Driven by his passion for nurturing potential and cultivating growth, Colin’s life mantra is clear: “Challenging You to Grow, Overcome, and Achieve!” Whether through his educational programs, leadership roles, or written words, Colin continues to inspire individuals and communities to reach new heights and create lasting impact.

Abimbola Saka

Officer

Dr. Saka a physician deeply committed to patient-centred care, the principles of evidence-based medicine, and health equity. She is the founder of D.A.S. Innovative Hub, a health system consulting firm, where she leads initiatives to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare. She is known for her adaptability, motivation, and collaborative spirit, as well as her keen interest in positively impacting healthcare systems. She is also currently a postdoctoral fellow at Centre for Mental Health and Addictions where works a project focused on the integration of programs, so they are more efficient, equity informed, and holistic to support patients. She earned her BSc in Anatomy from Nigeria and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Washington University of Health and Science (WUHS) in Belize. She also holds an M.B.A. in Health Services from DeVry University and a Master of Health Science (MHSc) in Translational Research from the University of Toronto. Her research and work focus on identifying and addressing gaps within health systems to enhance the experiences and outcomes of patients and their families.

Fatima Samji

Officer

Dr. Fatima Samji is an Educational Specialist, Social Mobility Researcher, Education Innovation Consultant, & EDI Policy Specialist. She holds an M.Ed. in Leadership for Learning in K-12, an M.A., & a Ph.D. in Higher Education, both specializing in Education Policy, from the University of Toronto. She empowers diverse groups within Ontario Colleges, Universities, non-profits, & private organizations by creating & delivering award-winning curriculum, workshops, & training. Dr. Samji earned awards to present at respected international conferences where she advocated for broadening the perspectives held by leaders in the education sector. Dr. Samji’s lived experience, research, & professional experience led to her mission - to build the capacity of diverse people, organizations, & systems, by facilitating them in accessing their excellence, supporting greater social mobility & innovation toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Karen Thom

Officer

A Mississauga resident and a passionate Youth Advocate and Community Volunteer. A Financial Analyst by Profession Certification Accounting and Business Management. Hobbies include hiking, creative art, music and gardening.

Dr. Ann E. Lopez

Advisory Board Member

Dr. Ann E. Lopez is a Jamaican-born professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto and Director of the Centre for Leadership and Diversity and Special Advisor to the Dean on School and Community Partnerships. Ann is an author, speaker, mentor, advisor, and researcher who advocates for embedding equitable, antiracist, and decolonial praxis in all aspects of education and schooling – teaching, learning, and leading. Her academic career includes positions as Provostial Advisor (Access Programs), University of Toronto, and Academic Director, Initial Teacher Education. Dr. Lopez’s teaching and research explore school leadership praxis broadly across contexts, including decolonizing educational leadership, decolonial methods and approaches, school leadership in global south contexts, and the impact of coloniality. She has shared her work in educational spaces, both locally and globally. She is the author of several books, which include Decolonizing Educational Leadership: Exploring Alternative Approaches to Leading Schools. Dr. Lopez is co-Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of School Leadership and Co-Series Editor, Studies in Educational. Dr. Lopez has been recognized for her work as an educator through numerous awards, including the OISE Excellence in Educational Leadership and Teaching Award, University of Toronto Award for Excellence – Ludwick and Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize – Influential Leader, and the Canadian Association for the Study of Educational Administration Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. Camille Logan

Advisory Board Member

Dr. Camille Logan is an accomplished leader in education with more than 30 years of experience advancing human centred system transformation advancing equity and excellence in teaching and learning. As a former Associate Director of School Improvement and Equity at the Peel District School Board, Camille provided strategic leadership in curriculum reform, human rights, leadership development and policy innovation. Recognized across the province and beyond for her integrity, vision and cultivating inclusive organizational cultures through large scale change. As a scholar of practice, she has held pivotal roles across Ontario’s education landscape, including secondments to York University and to the Ministry of Education. Her leadership has shaped provincial equity frameworks, policy development, and professional learning grounded in human rights, anti-racist education and culturally responsive pedagogy. Currently Camille is working with Faculties of Education as a lecturer and Faculty Advisory for Teacher Candidates in the areas of Literacy, Urban Education Curriculum and Pedagogy for Niagara and OISE in addition to engaging in her private consulting practice.

Dr. Sam Lanfranco

Advisory Board Member

Professor Emeritus and Senior Scholar, York University, PhD, Economics (UC Berkeley), Internet Ecologist and Ontario farmer. Lectured in North and South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, China, India, and the Philippines. Worked with the U.N., World Bank, national aid agencies, and global non-profits. Currently engaged in global Internet policy with ICANN, with the Philippine Internet ecosystem, and supporting grassroots projects in Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

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