The Opportunities Are Endless…
Our Staff
Will White
Chief Executive Officer/
Co-Founder
Will oversees the daily operations here at TOP. He has a hands-on approach and can often be found working directly with staff and assisting with various programs. His main focus is ensuring the organization is operating smoothly as a whole and that the philosophies the organization was founded on stand true.
Hailey Parsons
Youth Development Coordinator
(GFW)
Hailey directly manages many aspects of the day-to-day activities at TOP and is responsible for projects like Karma Kafe & Find Junque and our youth training programs. Hailey also leads the development of new projects and is always working on ways to improve our current program offerings.
You can reach her at hailey@topyouth.ca or (866) 221 6670 ext 801.
Tina Di Fruscio
Rural Development Coordinator
(NWV)
Tina's key role is overseeing our programs in New Wes-Valley, NL. Tina facilitates local programs and manages Textile Exchange. The focus of her work is to develop intergenerational programming in the area.
You can reach her at tdifruscio@topyouth.ca.
Board of Directors
Whitney Roberts
Vice President/Co-Founder
Whitney has a background in the arts and psychology. She studied visual arts and psychology at Memorial University of Newfoundland and later completed a Community Studies Diploma at the College of the North Atlantic. Whitney completed a Bachelor of Community Studies (Psychology) at Cape Breton University. She has also worked closely with youth initiatives throughout her life and has gained a passion for working with at-risk youth. Whitney works as a Child and Youth Care Worker with Key Assets Newfoundland and Labrador. Whitney's previous experience includes various positions with local youth centres, Manager of Programs at Youth Centres Canada, as well as sitting on several boards. She actively volunteers with initiatives that provide opportunities for youth, young women and the LGBTQ+ community.
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Olivia Hiscock
Secretary
Olivia Hiscock was born and raised in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland. She completed a diploma in Community Studies at the College of the North Atlantic in 2020.
She worked with Exploits Valley YMCA for a number of years. She began as a swim instructor, then became a lifeguard, working her way into Aquatics Team Leader, Coordinator of Youth Programs and Swim Lessons Coordinator. She also works as a student assistant and TLA for schools within central Newfoundland.
She spent many years volunteering with the Special Olympics Exploits Hurricanes as coach of the rhythmic gymnastics team and swim team. She enjoys working with children and youth through recreation and educational programs!
Megan Sutherland
Director
Megan is originally from Brampton, Ontario and grew up in Central, Newfoundland. She holds a Bachelor of Community Studies degree focusing on social sciences from Cape Breton University. She is studying for her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. Megan's interest is primarily in youth work, and she also specializes in working with children living with disabilities. Megan has previous experience with the YMCA, volunteering for Special Olympics, and working as a Child and Youth Care Worker.
Aislynn Byers
Director
Aislynn is currently a student-athlete at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick. She is completing a Bachelor of Arts degree and is a member of the woman's hockey team. Her future aspirations include completing a Bachelor of Education. Aislynn is originally from Dundalk, Ontario, but is currently located in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She also worked with The Opportunity Project in 2021 as a summer student. Aislynn became interested in TOP's initiatives and wanted to continue to be involved!
Janelle Caravan
Director
Janelle is originally from central Newfoundland. She is currently studying History and French at Memorial University of Newfoundland, in St. John's, NL. Janelle works with Cygnus Gymnastics as a Coach, as well as judging. Janelle has worked with youth through recreation. In the summer of 2021, Janelle worked as a summer student with TOP and became interested in our work. Since she has been with us, she has taken on most of our social media management!
Laura Pollard
Director
Laura grew up in Newfoundland, chasing whales and cod fish as most do. When the time came to choose a post-secondary study, she chose early childhood education at the College of the North Atlantic. It wasn’t long before she uprooted her life and travelled across to British Columbia. There, she decided to switch things up and take on welding at Selkirk College in Nelson. Now, as a third-year welding apprentice, she resides in Conception Bay South in Newfoundland, as she knows there’s no place like home.