Amandeep Sidhu
Program Chair, Board of Directors
Amandeep started with Peace by PEACE in 2007 as a volunteer in the classroom. Having been a student of Emergency Management and Global conflict, he was always drawn towards what he could do as an individual to help change the way people deal with conflict. Amandeep was excited at the opportunity to address conflict in a dynamic and interactive way and immediately saw the impact exploring conflict resolution techniques in interactive and facilitative matters would have. With a passion for Youth development, he has held various positions with the organization including being a Board Chair since 2017 focusing on finance, training and program development. Professionally, Amandeep is currently a Product Manager for Digital Health systems.
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Dmitri Norenberg (he/him)
Member and Treasurer, Board of Directors
Dmitri started with Peace by PEACE in 2014 at Glendon, as a volunteer translator of the French curriculum. He continued that work when he joined the executive team as the Curriculum Director, and later the Campus Director, during the first years of its implementation. He was drawn to the key messages of the curriculum, and the growth opportunities that the program provided to university students as they became mentors to the students in their classroom. Dmitri is currently a guidance counsellor and coordinator of excellence programs at the Conseil Scolaire Viamonde.
Alysha Damji (she/her)
Secretary, Board of Directors
In 2005, Alysha joined Peace by PEACE at York University as a volunteer in the classroom. She quickly fell in love with the program and joined the executive team as the Education Director in 2006. Alysha believes that Peace by PEACE gives its participants (students, teachers and mentors) valuable life skills that enable them to engage positively in their communities. Alysha is currently a teacher in WRDSB. She has a BEd, a Master in Arts and a Master in Teaching. Alysha continues to see the extraordinary impact the program has on the community and looks forward to the future impact it will make.
Noel Yuen (she/her)
Board of Directors
Noel is currently a medical student at Western University. Prior to that, she graduated from UofT in 2020 with a Psychology Research Specialist, Neuroscience and Physiology degree. During her time at UofT, she was involved with Peace by PEACE both as a volunteer and as a Festival Director. Noel loved the community and people she met while working with Peace by PEACE and she’s thrilled to join the board. She is excited to continue to be a part of a program where she can cultivate growth in the lives of children.
Natalia Bekirsky (she/her)
Board of Directors
Natalia obtained her Honours BA in Environmental Studies and Archaeology at U of T in 2019. Her Peace by PEACE experience spanned her entire undergrad: she started out as a mentor in her first year, became a Curriculum Director in her second year, and then Campus Director for her third and fourth years. She went on to obtain her Masters in Environmental Studies at York (graduated 2021), and she now works as a policy analyst. She is excited to contribute to the important goals of the program now as a board member.
Daveena Pershad (she/her)
Board of Directors
Daveena began volunteering with Peace by Peace in 2005, drawn in by the program’s meaningful work with students and the supportive PxP community. In 2006, she joined the executive team, where she connected with mentors and friends who remain in her life today, including some current board members! Over the years, Daveena has had the opportunity to contribute to PxP’s growth by taking on roles like Peace Festival Director, coordinating events for over 2,000 attendees, and Peace Bowl Director, helping to raise more than $10,000 in support of PxP’s mission.
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With a background in content development, and operational support, Daveena is committed to finding creative ways to maximize available resources. She is particularly passionate about training programs, events, and fundraising efforts. Outside of PxP, she is working to smash stigmas in the women's health space with IRIS Inc.
Erin Schaffer (she/her)
Board of Directors
Erin started as a volunteer in the classroom with Peace By PEACE in 2022. Erin has always been an advocate for change and promoting a diverse and inclusive environment within the classroom. To work towards achieving this goal, she got more involved with the organization and worked on developing the curriculum. Erin has a passion for working with children and young people and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Children, Childhood, & Youth Studies. She is now completing her Bachelor of Education at York University while working part time as an Early Childhood Assistant. Erin continues to put herself in places and spaces that foster a safe and enriching learning environment, which is why she is thrilled to be working with Peace By PEACE.