Meet Our Team

Our Team

Liban Abokor, Executive Director.  

Liban Abokor brings over 15 years of experience and leadership from his previous roles in the public policy, healthcare, housing, philanthropy and social service sector. . Liban has previously advised on and contributed to creation of the Premiers Council on Youth Opportunities, Ontario's Youth Action Plan, Youth Opportunities Fund, Youth Employment Fund and Toronto Community Housing's Participatory Budgeting Process, among many others. Liban studied at York University to pursue a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and a Certificate in Social Work at the University of Toronto. Liban is also a committed and passionate volunteer having previously held roles as Board Director and Chair of the Granting Committee at the Laidlaw Foundation and Vice-Chair of the Board at Central Neighbourhood House.

Siham Rayale, PhD, Research Coordinator

Siham Rayale is a researcher specializing in qualitative research methods, program design and evaluation. She is a public speaker and frequently writes on issues relating to women, peace and security in the Horn of Africa. Siham has conducted research for UN agencies and INGOs. She has written op-eds for Open Democracy, LSE Africa and Oxfam blogs. Siham received her PhD at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. Her doctoral work focused on the use of Somaliland women’s narratives to impact the way we conceptualize political spaces and subjectivities. She received her M.A. from York University in International Development Studies, and her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.

Conrad Cumberbatch, Operations Coordinator.

Conrad Cumberbatch has held various positions within the public and private sector. His previous roles include Content Manager for an urban music magazine, Client Service Coordinator for a major retail company and an intern at the United Nations Association of Canada. Conrad is also an avid sports and music fan which means he can often be found cheering on our local sports heroes in the crowd or putting his karaoke skills on display in the audience listening to the hits from one his favourite artists. Conrad holds a Diploma in Business Marketing from Centennial College.

Jeremy Bennett, Youth Animator. 

A former graduate of our Learn2Work Initiative, Jeremy Bennett joined our Youth LEAPS team as a Youth Animator. Jeremy is also a talented young musician, artist and savvy entrepreneur. He previously started a landscaping and lawn maintenance. When he's not running a successful small business, Jeremy is using his art to inspire hope and bring positive change to the lives of his peers, family and community, as well as his own.