Current Ambassadors
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Jesse joined Create Change's Ambassador Program after chancing upon Create Change's website and being very impressed with the clarity of Shannen Obrian's vision for the organization and the transparent, efficient way Create Change sets about achieving its goals. After meeting with Shannen to hear more about the details of Create Change's work, he agreed to help further the goals of Create Change by becoming an Ambassador for Create Change.
Jesse has a BA in Political Science and is very interested in international development and human rights. He is currently researching the Nicaraguan health care system as part of the needs assessment for a privately funded medical clinic that will soon to be built in Northern Nicaragua.
Jesse is an avid photographer and has traveled to Japan, Indonesia, South Africa and Australia. He currently lives in Anmore B.C.
Pat was one of the first Ghana Girls Education sponsors and has supported Create Change since its inception. She is a certified Resident Care Aide who LOVES her job, where she takes care of people who have Alzheimer's and Dementia.
A lover of 60s and 70s music, Pat lives on Vancouver Island. She has been volunteering with many organizations over the last 25 years including the World Police and Fire Games, Habitat for Humanity, and VARIETY the Children's Charity, to name a few.
Pat, is an admirer of the Dalai Lama and a believer in the teachings of Buddhism. She strongly believes that everyone can make a difference in this world, and is an official Ambassador for Create Change in order to encourage people to stand up and realize their ability to create change in this world.
Whether giving Create Change gift certificates for birthday gifts, or initiating a group to sponsor girls' schooling, Helena is a great supporter of Create Change. She is not only an Ambassador at Create Change, but also a Board Member.
For over twenty-five years Helena has been securing creative and entrepreneurial partnerships in the Film and TV industry. Helena was the Chair and a founding partner of Forefront Entertainment International, which created, produced and distributed 115 hours of TV programming and received more than 30 international industry awards. Helena also wrote and directed social political award-winning documentaries for the NFB and community organizations. In related activities, she has been a speaker on national media industry panels, adjudicated film script competitions and has served on several film industry boards.
Kevin Day is a microfinance investor, mobile internet specialist and social entrepreneur. Kevin founded Riskebiz Internet Services in 1999, a company which developed web applications for the insurance industry and which now manages the technical services facility for the Riskebiz Microfinance Fund, a MIV that leverages mobile technologies to implement microinsurance schemes at MFIs. Kevin has knowledge of running both private and public companies and has been actively involved in private financings as well as taking companies public. He has a degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia. Kevin is also currently serving as a Committee Member of the Canadian Captive Insurance Association, a Director of Beauty Night Society, and as an advisor to FrontlineSMS:Credit and Pro-Microfinance International.
Our names are Candice and Sam and we’ve been best friends for 5 years and we are both studying at the University of Ottawa in the field of Social Sciences.
Candice, who is specializing in conflict studies and human rights, has always been interested in joining an organization committed to helping countries in need. Sam, who is concentrating on Criminology, Psychology and Political Science, has always been interested in international affairs and the power of NGOs. Combined, we make a dream team that is ready to get down and dirty to help the girls in Ghana receive better education.
We realise how fortunate we are to be studying in such a rich country and would love to help others achieve our same goals and aspirations. Our project, which will be founded by a few events that helps get youth in Ottawa involved, will hopefully be the first in many to our quest of making the educational system in Ghana a success!
Chris Georgas taught high school for over twenty years before starting Pacific Rim Aviation, a flight school located in Pitt Meadows, B.C. Having been a teacher for so long, Chris is well aware of the importance of education in securing someone's future. Although he has been a long time supporter of Create Change, Chris recently came on as an Ambassador and has started two groups to assist girls with their education. Firstly, he will support a group of students personally. Additionally, he has committed to raise funds for a second group, through Pacific Rim Aviation flight school. A shining example of what the Ambassador program is all about, Chris continues to inspire people around him to get involved and support girls to fulfill their potentials.
Tadhg Healy, a native of Cork, Ireland, decided to change his life by joining Create Change in September 2008. He first worked as Field Manager for the Ghana Girls project ‘08/’09. From purchasing supplies, to waiting around for hours to pay school fees, to organizing the sewing of 150 school uniforms, Tadhg was heavily involved in every aspect of the girls’ project, and got to know many of them personally.
Following this Tadhg worked as the primary videographer and gathered the footage for the ‘08/’09 period, and was involved in the editing process as well. Tadhg’s currently helps out with website content development. Prior to joining Create Change Tadhg obtained a PhD in Physics from University College Cork and worked for a Dublin based telecommunications firm. He is an avid photographer and ultimate Frisbee player.
Chelsea O’Brian, a circus artist by trade, is one of Create Change’s first Ambassadors. Chelsea spent two weeks volunteering with Create Change in the field in Northern Ghana, where she was primarily involved with the uniform distribution for the Ghana Girls Education project. She has traveled extensively through Europe, Australia, Asia, and West Africa with her big sister Shannen. She currently works as an aerial artist with Cirque Plume in France, but still finds time to promote Create Change’s message and work!
Sandra O’Brian has supported Create Change since its inception. Although she initially became involved to support her daughter, Shannen, Sandra has spent a lifetime involved with social and environmental causes. She has been to Ghana twice, where she was able to spend time in rural communities and witness firsthand the urgent need for change.
Sandra takes part in some of Create Change’s legalities, banking, and overall accounting. Having spent her career of over 35 years in business, she has extensive experience in start–ups, administration and fundraising. She lives on the Sunshine Coast, B.C., where she supports the healing arts. Sandra is an avid gardener, and enjoys studying metaphysics.
I got involved with create change for a few very simple reasons. The main one being i was impressed with the time and belief one of my best friends put into this. It made me sit up and pay attention. After learning more about the organisation i immediately loved the transparency, with the emphasis being on the end result and not just how much money was raised. Each project not only has a known target before starting, but an importance is also placed on engaging local communities to work with Create Change. This was very important to me. I emailed a small group of college friends and a few others and within a few weeks the group was up and running. It was heartening to see that people wanted to get involved and I love how a few friends can quickly make a lasting change for generations of people. In a modern world where each day convenience is becoming paramount, I think CC have focused their priorities and set a great example as to how easy it can be for everyone to "be the change they want to see in the world".