About Us
Success Accelerator offers a range of effective programs, delivered by professionals, that develop tangible skillset that youth require for today’s workplace. The aim is to empower young people to become the inspiring leaders of tomorrow.
An initiative of The Local Charity, Success Accelerator will support youth to build a life where they live in dignity, provide them an opportunity of inclusion, and enhance their resilience and security. Through participation in our programs, young people will be equipped with foundational understanding in the areas they choose, whether work-specific or personal and interpersonal skills. For example, our entrepreneurs begin by creating projects, developing innovative ideas and solutions, and progress through building and launching a prototype project.
Meet The Team
(she/her)
Education Program Manager
(she/her)
Education Program Lead
(she/her)
Education Program Lead
(she/her)
Founder & Executive Director
Team Profile
Jen Pendergast (she/her), Education Program Manager
I strongly believe that everyone has the power to change the world, but for many people that power is hidden inside, under layers of challenges and difficult experiences. I believe causes like Success Accelerator can help our young people to unpack their experiences and unlock their own power to create the future they want to see.
As Executive Director, I seek to guide our team to find their own strengths and use them to be our best - for ourselves and in the programs we offer to our Youth.
Anoosha Reddy (she/her), Education Program Lead
As an educator I am passionate about helping people discover and define what brings them meaning and joy. In order for anyone to pursue these objectives, they must first feel physically, mentally and emotionally safe. I am committed to increasing access to holistic education, programming, and services that connect individuals to the resources they need to not only survive, but to thrive.
I have experience working with children and youth of all ages in camps and community programs. I have worked as a middle school teacher in the Indian public education system and as an educator in youth detention centres and community corrections in the United States. I hold a Bachelor of Psychology from Concordia University and a Master of Education from Harvard University.
Mariam Tazi (she/her), Marketing Manager
I strongly believe that the world can be a better place if we all contribute. Being very sensitive to equality of chances, I think that helping our young people in difficulty can unlock their potential, help them live with dignity, and create an ethical model in the community. Ultimately, this shall lead to a better world for all. Success Accelerator is a great platform that aims to do exactly that.
As an experienced marketing professional, I would like to contribute by bringing more awareness about Success Accelerator to have more young people enroll in our programs. I have a bachelors degree and a masters degree in Marketing & Communications.
Rita B Makumbi (she/her), Education Program Lead
I am an instructor and researcher who has worked with young adults for the past 10 years in Uganda . I have passion to empower youth as these are the leaders of future generations.
I am interested in giving back to the local community because it has helped me to enrich other people’s lives through sharing of experiences. Working with the community has given me an opportunity to understand the diverse types of people that are in there. This further enhances development of interaction skills and to get a good fit into the community.
Working with people from different walks of life has allowed me to connect to people and ideas that have had a good impact on my life views. It has allowed me to grow as a person and increase my passionate for youth advocacy. My experience as an instructor has been further enhanced through community interactions, I am more sensitive to issues that other people deal with and l
am more aware of important social skills like empathy and persistence. This learning and relearning has vastly increased my social flexibility expanding my view of the world.
Laura Joly-Hutton (she/her), Marketing & Communications Coordiantor
I am passionate about the nonprofit sector and hold a big place in my heart for youth. I truly believe in the power of nonprofits in contributing to society and creating positive change. I hope to contribute to Success Accelerator to use that power to elevate youth and build a platform that will provide them with tools to become the best version of themselves. I hold a digital marketing and analytics certificate, a social media marketing certificate and am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communications and marketing.
Since high school, I’ve struggled with mental health, and it’s still something I’m learning to handle. In 2019 I had an episode of psychosis that changed me into who I am today, I’m not going to say it changed me for the better or worse, but it has impacted me. It made me realize that there are people who fight silent battles and that it’s not always possible to share your struggle with others. Whether it’s because of pride or shame, the struggle you face isn’t easy to share, but you can get assistance from others by sharing it. It doesn’t even have to be physical assistance. Even just knowing someone is there for you helps.
I’m trying to say that not everyone can openly share their battle, but it takes courage to share what you’re going through for those who do. I believe that everyone is on a journey to improve themselves, whether they know it or not, and I want to be a part of that journey, helping others find a way to live a life that they can be proud of.
Nader Ibrahim (he/him), Marketing Coordinator
Laney Lui (she/her), Founder & Executive Director
I was inspired to start the The Local Charity & Success Accelerator after having gone through many trials in my own life. Having experienced abuse and being estranged from my father, I can relate to those who have experienced despair and hopelessness. The journey has taught me how to be strong, how to be independent, how to forgive, and how to love.
I had also experienced being a single mother, and the journey had been challenging, but it has given me perspective on what it takes to overcome rough patches in life (though now I am happily re-married). I hope to contribute and inspire the folks I cross paths with towards living their best lives.
My parents have both exemplified qualities that contributed to my charity work. My mother modelled benevolence, and I’ve learned to be kind and grateful from her (I also acquired her sense of humour 😉 ). As an illegal immigrant, my father persevered through adversity and built an empire; I got my curiosity, strength, and entrepreneurial spirit from him.
For me, charity can be so impactful. The effort put in goes a long way in helping to improve lives. It’s often easy, usually inconvenient, but always necessary.