governance
The Yellow Door is all about openness and transparency.
Board of Directors 2023-2024
Maureen Micks, PRESIDENT
Maureen Micks has been associated with the YD for over 10 years serving on the Board of Directors and working on different committees. Maureen is a retired physiotherapist who has worked in the health care sector in clinical settings, training and development. Maureen was introduced to the YD while studying physiotherapy at McGill University. Being on the board permits Maureen to assist in ensuring the YD continues serving the surrounding community in a meaningful way. "My favourite YD memory is participating in the Annual Benefit Dinner with board members, senior members, donors, volunteers, and friends—an evening filled with music, conversation, friendship, and of course, food!" |
Shannon Bell, VICE-PRESIDENT
Shannon Bell is a research associate at QUESCREN (Québec English-speaking Communities Research Network). She first got involved with the Yellow Door in 2016 as a staff member, and then served as the interim executive director before relocating outside of the city. Having always felt that she left too soon, she is excited to be able to continue engaging with the YD and its vibrant community through service on the Board. "My favorite YD memory has to be the 50th anniversary celebrations for the Coffeehouse in 2016 - I was a new employee at the time and it was such a great way to discover that part of the YD's history and one of many different ways in which it has served and enriched the community for decades." |
Lesleigh Cameron, SECRETARY
Lesleigh Cameron is an Executive Assistant at the Jewish General Hospital Foundation. Lesleigh first got involved with the Yellow Door as a Communications and Outreach Intern in 2020. Having connected with the YD's values of social inclusion and meaningful community for all, she is excited to be joining the Board in 2022. In her spare time she enjoys baking, reading, and exploring Montreal's parks and neighbourhoods. "My favourite YD memory is interviewing members for our social media series called Portraits of the Yellow Door. Hearing members’ stories was a wonderful way to learn about the YD and to connect with new people during the first waves of the pandemic." |
Taylor Murray, TREASURER
Taylor Murray is a Financial Controller at the Martin Family Initiative and a Chartered Professional Accountant. Taylor started as a Generations volunteer for the YD before joining the Board. She enjoys cooking, hiking and yoga in her spare time. "My favourite YD memory was when a Yellow Door member gave her a hand written poem as a thank you for running errands for her." |
Lauren Laframboise
Lauren Laframboise is currently a research employee at Concordia University's Centre for Oral History and Digital Storytelling, as well as a long-time volunteer and former staff member at the Yellow Door. "What I like most about the Yellow Door and the work we do is that we see the transformative potential of mutual aid and accessible community spaces in action." |
Peter (Xinli) Zhuang
Peter (Xinli) Zhuang is a recent graduate of Concordia University’s Fine Art program, where he majored in Music. As a Generations volunteer for a year and relaunching the community music group, Peter has put in a lot of effort into helping with seniors to gain a better life and building a great community. Peter also likes sports and playing computer games with others when he is not volunteering with seniors. "My favourite memory of the YD was the gift delivery day during the pandemic. I see a huge value in teamwork because without teamwork, none of it would have been possible. It is team work that delivered those 91 gifts to the seniors at their homes." |
Amritha Sanmugam
Amritha has been volunteering with the YD for almost six years, participating in programs such as Generations and Art Hive. She is passionate about grassroots organizing and currently works in project development for the digital equity and justice non-profit, Techno Culture Club, and as an ESL teacher at the Jamaica Association of Montréal. In her leisure time, Amritha enjoys being outside, cooking, and, of course, playing with her beloved cat, Godrick. "My Generations match and I would make dinner together a few times a week and also go window-shopping afterwards in the Alexis Nihon mall. My match had immaculate taste and I had no doubts when following her fashion advice!" |
Alexie Kim
Alexie Kim first became involved with the YD as a Generations program intern during the Summer of 2019 and returned to the YD as the Generations Program Assistant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alexie has since obtained her master’s degree in public health and is looking forward to starting a career in health promotion. When she isn’t working, she enjoys going on long walks, caring for her plants, and getting creative with DIY home projects. "My favourite memory of the YD is the people! The YD has built a community of incredibly empathetic, dedicated, and resilient individuals. Whether it’s the team, members, or volunteers, working with people and learning their stories was a highlight of my role." |
Susan Biggs
Susan Biggs is a retired labour lawyer and human resources professional. After starting as a Generations Volunteer in the fall of 2018, she ran for a position on the Board in 2019 and is now serving her second two-year term. Susan is also busy volunteering and enjoying study groups and lectures with the McGill community for Lifelong Learning. She loves to read, to travel, and to enjoy meals in Montreal's many excellent restaurants with friends. "My favourite YD memory is the Benefit Dinner at Robin des Bois in December, 2019. It was so rewarding and energizing to see all the smiling faces and happy laughter of our members enjoying themselves and one another's company." |
Marc Nerenberg
Marc Nerenberg is a musician, artist, writer, and videographer, who is retired from the practice of law, in which he specialized in the field of international criminal law. He was President of the YD Board of Directors for approximately a decade, and now serves informally as the repository of institutional memory, having been associated with the YD in various capacities since the early 1970s, when he was one of the people who ran the YD Coffeehouse. Though now in his 70s, he continues to run YD programs as a volunteer organizer, and his association with the YD is near and dear to his heart. "I have far too many YD memories to be able to single out a favourite." |
Shannon Fiedler
Shannon Fiedler interned with the Yellow Door’s Generations Program during her undergraduate studies at McGill University. She currently works as a corporate leadership development manager and previously worked as a talent acquisition consultant. She enjoys directing her senior's choir, painting, cycling, and exploring Canada’s national parks. "My favourite Yellow Door memory is playing the piano and singing with members and volunteers at the 2017 holiday party." |
Nicky DiCaprio
Nicky started her career at the Yellow Door back in 2021 where she quickly developed a passion for all things communications. She presently works for McGill University’s Student Services as Communications associate, helping to ensure the wellbeing of students on campus. Always missing the YD team and passionate about the organization’s mission, she is thrilled to be able to continue to help support the needs of seniors in the community as a board member. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, baking and indulging in her guilty pleasure of reality TV marathons.
“The exceptional staff, dedicated volunteers, and the beloved senior members I had the pleasure of working with made my YD experience unforgettable. One memory that always warms my heart is our Friday afternoon gatherings, where I shared countless Rabbit Hole meals and meaningful chats with the walking group participants before they head up the mountain.” |
Katherine Moore
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Julie Mugwaneza