Ellen Schwartz:

Ellen is a veteran elementary teacher with 17 years of experience teaching in Toronto. With Project Give Back, Ellen continues to teach children the true power of giving as she launches her newest project which links her years of teaching expertise with the skills of fundraising, thus instilling a true love of giving back and community outreach which will help to change future lives.

Schwartz has also become a passionate advocate for research into neurodegenerative diseases such as Canavan's. She is the co-director of Jacob's Ladder (The Canadian Foundation for the Control of Neurodegenerative Disease), and the author of Lessons from Jacob: A Disabled Son Teaches His Mother About Courage, Hope and the Joy of Living Life to the Fullest - www.jacobsladder.ca. Together with her network of friends and family, Schwartz has raised more than one and a half million dollars to fund research grants and awards to find cures for fatal diseases.

To date, Jacob's Ladder has enabled ongoing research in many areas related to neurodegenerative disorders. Through the annual Jacob's Ladder International Research Prize, for example, this organization makes possible innovative research in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these diseases. In addition to supporting investigative research, Jacob's Ladder has helped to facilitate increased genetic screening in Canada for parents and parents-to-be, and they have contributed to the education of medial personnel as well as the public about rare genetic diseases and what relevant tests might be available."

As a public speaker Ellen continues to move and inspire audiences due to her unwavering belief in her son's abilities, her steadfast commitment to education and research into neurodegenerative diseases, and her heartfelt desire to help others cope with life's toughest challenges.

She has been featured in The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, City Post Magazines, Today's Parent, More Magazine, Canadian Jewish News, Lifestyles Magazine, The Tribune, CTV, Global's Heart and the City, CBC's the National, CBC's Sounds Like Canada with Shelagh Rogers, CBC's Jeff Goodes Show, Roger's Cable network, and Slice's Dr. in The House.

Our Chief of Operations:

Melanie Levcovich brings a breadth and depth of experience from over 20 years working in Marketing and Operations across a number of rapidly growing companies. She was director of marketing for Informix, a billion dollar software company and Vice President of Marketing at Globally Boundless. She also has experience growing a company from scratch having conceived and led her own start up idealive. On the operations side Melanie has several years experience working with Macy’s in California, managing in a flagship store, streamlining promotion, buying and distribution. Melanie has a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University.

Melissa Lidsky:

Melissa has been teaching for over 16 years in a variety of classroom settings and a range of grade levels.  As a busy mother of three children, she has also been an active chair member of their school's executive committees.   She is eager to embark on this new adventure with Project Give back.

Amy Greenberg:

Amy Greenberg is a former teacher with the Toronto District School Board.  After the birth of her first child, she left the board to raise her children.

Her passion for teaching and children made it hard for her to stay out of the classroom, so she created programs that she has taught in various centres throughout the GTA.

She is very proud of a program she created called A Trip Around the World, which taught young children about different cultures and customs through art, cooking and music.  Amy just completed her eighth year running her own summer camp.  

When Amy is not with her family, she is usually actively involved volunteering in many different causes.  It has always been very important to her that her young children always witnessed her giving back to the community.  Project Give Back is the perfect mix of both of her passions.  She can not wait to inspire the leaders of tomorrow to always think about how they can make a difference.  

Cheryl Daniels:

Cheryl Daniels has taught high school at Harbord CI and Forest Hill CI between 1990 and 2001. For the past eight years, she has focused her energy on her family, volunteering at her children's school and creating a new charity which services shelters in the Toronto area. She is very excited to merge both her teaching and fundraising experiences as a member of the Project Give Back team  

Lesli Goldstein:

Lesli is excited to be part of the Project Give Back Team. The combination of her skills as a Social Worker, Teacher and mother of three young children will enable students to gain a deep understanding of PGB's themes of passion, caring, self confidence and organization in a fun and memorable way. Lesli holds a BA (Hons) in Sociology from York University, an MSW from the University of Toronto, and a BEd. from OISE.  

Shawna Ginsberg:

Shawna has an academic background in child psychology and child development. Her work experience with children and youth includes counselling, advocacy, program development, teaching, and public speaking. She is currently working as a part-time Counsellor at the Kids Help Phone and is busy mother of two young boys.

I feel very privileged to be working with Ellen and to be a part of Project Give Back. I truly believe this project is unique and special in that it not only teaches children how to be giving and active participants in charitable work; it fosters a sense of passion and commitment to the communities they live in, and the world as a whole.  

Roz Fine:

She is a former public school teacher with seven years in the classrom. She is also immediate Past National President of National Council of Jewish Women of Canada. She has been a Volunteer for this charity for over 25 years and values the importance of giving back to the community. Roz Fine is a proud mother and grandmother. and is thrilled to be part of the "Project Give Back" Team.  

Andrea Brodey:

My name is Andrea Brodey and I am thrilled to have this opportunity to be a part of Project Give Back. I am a social worker and have worked with many children over the years. I am also a mother of three children, whom I constantly remind of the need to think of others and how we can help out to make this a better world! I look forward to the chance to get to know each and every student who will be lucky enough to take part in this wonderful program.  

Devorah Katz:

Devorah Katz is thrilled to be a part of Project Give Back. For the past ten years she has been teaching children at the elementary and middle school levels. Even as a busy mother of 3 and teacher, Devorah finds the time to coordinate fundraising events for community organizations and volunteer her time for other community needs. She brings to Project Give Back her passion for inspiring children to make a difference in the world and thinking about others first. Devorah holds a B.Sc. Ed. and a M.Sc. Ed./Sp. Ed. and is certified in Michigan, New York, and Ontario.