Fred Cass | President/Co-Founder
Originally from Belleville, Ontario and a graduate of University of Toronto law school, Fred was called to the Bar in 1980 and practised energy law at Aird & Berlis LLP until 2022. He has been involved in a number of charitable initiatives, including the establishment of a program at the University of Toronto to address barriers to health care accessibility faced by the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society and a scholarship fund for indigenous learners at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Inspired by the dedication and passion of Richard Lussier and the results achieved by Richard’s Help our Students Program in Ottawa, Fred is the founding President of the Community Support for Students Program in Toronto. Fred enjoys reading, tennis, pickleball, outdoor activities and getting away to the cottage.
Tracy Cass | Co-Founder
Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Tracy has over 20 years of product and project management experience in roles with Arthur Andersen, BearingPoint and SAP ranging from start-up to global enterprises. She has specific experience with Public Services, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Consumer Products, Utilities, Telecommunication, and High Tech industries. Tracy has an undergraduate degree from University of Western Ontario and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University. She enjoys playing tennis, pickleball and gardening.
Linda Lussier | Board Member
Linda received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Ottawa. She worked in Policy and Procurement at the National Research Council and at Health Canada, and as a Director at the Canada Revenue Agency. Linda retired in 2008.
Linda is the Secretary of Help Our Student’s Program, an Ottawa- based charity that provides financial support to hard-working high school students who are in difficult financial circumstances to help them graduate high school.
She is married and has two daughters, four grandchildren, and two dogs.
Richard Lussier | Board Member
A graduate of the Royal Military College in 1967, Richard served in the Canadian Forces until 1975 when he joined the National Arts Centre. During his 20-year career at the NAC, he rose to become the Managing Director, Operations, a position he held until early retirement in 1995. As a consultant in the arts and sports, he conducted a Feasibility and Content Study for the City of Ottawa that led to the building of the Shenkman Centre in Orleans. Since 2010, he has devoted himself to managing the Help Our Students Program.
Sue Carderelli | Board Member
Sue has an Honours Degree in History with a minor in Humanities from York University. Having graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Education, Sue began teaching with the Toronto District School Board in 2001. She has specialized in primary education, focusing much of her career in the Kindergarten classroom. Sue is a strong advocate for early intervention with students, focusing on reading, creative work and hands-on learning in her classroom. In order to stay connected with her former students in the junior grades she runs a Scrabble club, one of her passions, and helps coach Ultimate Frisbee. Sue also represents her colleagues as the Union Steward at her school.
When Sue is not teaching she is often on the tennis court. She has spent time volunteering with various community tennis organizations, sitting on the board of White Oaks Park Community Tennis club and on the board of Toronto Tennis. Sue also enjoys volunteering with Tennis Canada during the Roger’s Cup tennis event in Toronto.
Leslie Horan | Board Member
Leslie Horan is an award winning art director and designer in the area of interactive and print design, and brand development for over 20 years. Her experience spans a broad spectrum of industries, with specific experience in the arts and culture, not-for-profit and healthcare. She has won awards for her work including projects for Kids Help Phone, Grand and Toy, and the Textile Museum of Canada. She is proud to work with charities including, Fashion Heals for SickKids, Breakfast of Champions (in support of SickKids) and Unity for Autism. She has a degree from Queen’s University (BFA) and a diploma from Sheridan College in New Media Design. “I love the challenge of creating a beautiful design experience for people – easy, beautiful and functional” – LH
Andre Wisaksana | Board Member
Andre is customer experience consultant who enjoys the marriage of tech and business process; he also happens to have a sense of humor.
Viviana Szabo | Board Member
Viviana is a front line worker at a retirement home. She is a Program Manager caring for staff and residents. She has a Social Service Diploma from Herzing College. She was a Recreationist for 8 years before moving into Program Management. In that role, she started an Art Program that raised funds for the Residence Council and that is used as a model for homes in Scarborough. Viviana, wife to Andrei Sr., Mom to Andrei and Jacklyn, and best of all is Grandma (Buni) to Wes and Melody. In her free time, she is an artist.
Heather Dawson | Board Member
Heather received her Honour’s Bachelor of Social Sciences from The University of Western Ontario and her MBA from the Schulich School of Business. Heather has worked in the Financial Service Sector and with AOL Canada as a Business Manager.
She has lived in various places in the USA and in Belgium. She is married and has three children. Recently she has been working with a few start-ups to help develop and grow their businesses.
