dare to be
youth charity

Jodie Schnurr Bio

Jodie Schnurr is excited to join the Dare To Be You(th) team as Program Director of The Leader Within, a role that aligns deeply with her passion for youth empowerment and her extensive experience in education. A recently retired secondary school administrator, Jodie brings 35 years of dedicated service with the Halton District School Board, where she held diverse roles including Vice Principal, teacher, guidance counsellor, outdoor education leader, and adult and alternative learning leader.

While officially retired, Jodie isn’t quite ready to spend her days reading books and talking to her cat full time. Her commitment to empathy, kindness, and empowerment continues to guide her work—and makes DTBY a natural next chapter.

In recognition of her impact as an educator and community volunteer, Jodie was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. She looks forward to contributing to meaningful programming that uplifts youth and strengthens the broader community.

Kassia Vrhovnik Bio

Hi! I’m Kassandra although I prefer to go by Kassia. I recently completed my Bachelor of Science (Honours Specialization in Genetics and Biochemistry) at Western University, and I’m now preparing to enter a compressed nursing program. My passion for nursing stems from personal healthcare experiences that inspired me to be the kind of calm, compassionate presence I once relied on.

I’m especially drawn to the hands-on, people-first nature of nursing, and I’m excited to build a career where I can support others through their most vulnerable moments with empathy, confidence, and care. During my time at Western, I joined the Student Emergency Response Team (SERT) as a certified Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder volunteer and later became an Advanced First Aid Instructor. Through SERT, I’ve responded to a wide range of on-campus medical emergencies and have taught life-saving skills to others. These experiences deepened my desire to work in healthcare and helped me build essential skills in communication, teamwork, and calm under pressure. My commitment to helping others extends beyond clinical settings.

As Youth Executive Director of DTBY (Dare to Be Youth Charity), I lead youth-focused programs that empower young people to build confidence, leadership skills, and community connections. Since 2021, I’ve grown within the organization through roles such as peer mentor, facilitator, and Community Liaison—all of which have reinforced my belief in the power of education, empathy, and meaningful connection. Alongside these volunteer roles, I’ve worked in the food service industry for over four years. Whether supporting teammates on a busy shift or ensuring every customer feels valued, I’ve learned how to stay adaptable, collaborative, and positive in fast-paced environments. I’m Smart Serve certified and committed to delivering excellent service with a smile—skills that translate directly into patient care. Whether I’m responding to an emergency, mentoring youth, or helping a customer, my goal is always to create a supportive, respectful, and compassionate environment.

Miranda Ayim Bio

Miranda Ayim is a three-time Olympian in the sport of basketball and former flag bearer for Team Canada (Tokyo 2020 Opening Ceremonies). She is a professional speaker and founder of Cultivate Co., an organization empowering people to show up where it matters most through mental fitness and foundational wellness. Check out her podcast.

Quotes from Miranda
“DTBY is an organization that just gets it. They go beyond the superficial support we often offer our youth, and instead, seek to empower them with skills and resources that help them grow into their best selves. They provide the platform for lessons and relationships that will last a lifetime and set them up for personal and professional success.”

“One thing that sets DTBY apart is their emphasis on peer mentorship through the CYC. I first saw the council in action during Inspire Day 2021. They were engaged, thoughtful, prepared—even wise! I knew there was something special here. I look forward to supporting the amazing work they’ve done by sharing some of the skills, strategies and mindset shifts I’ve implemented throughout my Olympic career and beyond.”

Kale Black Bio

Kale Black (He/Him) is a passionate Environmental Advocate, Meditation Facilitator and Community Organizer. Kale has been honing his skills as an advocate for positive change and as a facilitator for the past 16 years, with a wide breadth of experience in the environmental non-profit sector as well as in the fields of equity, diversity and inclusivity and holistic health.

Kale considers himself a Holistic Environmentalist, which simply put, means that he sees the health of our planet as intrinsically linked to human health (emotional, spiritual, mental, physical) with all of his efforts being connected to creating a healthier planet for all of us.”

Carolyn Swora Bio

As a trauma-informed leadership coach, consultant, and Human Spirit Ignitor, Carolyn is passionately committed to empowering leaders within purpose-driven organizations, helping them unlock their full potential and drive tangible change from the inside out.

Carolyn’s personal journey of resilience and perseverance is what drives her deep desire to make a difference. Since as early as her teenage years, she’s been coaching teams to high performance with success. She intimately understands the struggles leaders face because she’s walked that path herself. With over 28 years of corporate leadership experience and a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Carolyn’s dedication to fostering culture transformation and individual and organizational success is unmatched.

Carolyn partners with leaders who prioritize their people, designing systems and practices that elevate individuals in our ever-changing business landscape. The Certified Dare to Lead facilitator is also a best-selling author with books like “Evolve: The Path to Trauma-Informed Leadership,” featured on ABC and NBC. Carolyn also hosts her own podcast, “Evolve: A New Era of Leadership,” where she engages in profound discussions about creating healthy workplaces with fellow leaders, practitioners, and advocates.