About Elevate Talent

Elevate Talent is a program operated by Elevate, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to building and uniting innovators for change. In 2020, when Honourable Mélanie Joly, Canada's Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, made an announcement to support underrepresented workers in the tech sector, Elevate Talent was born. Read more here.

About the Program

Elevate Talent is a 90-day tech training and job placement program for underrepresented communities who are looking to start a career in the tech industry.  This program offers in-demand technical skills training, micro-credentials, and access to job opportunities.  Unlike other career development and training programs for visible minorities, Elevate Talent offers 1:1 skills training and access to jobs in tech through its strategic partnerships with reputable community and employment partners.

Elevate Talent Process

The Elevate Talent team supports your professional development and career goals through every step of your journey.

  1. Apply
    Browse and apply to fully funded tech training programs that match your career goals and needs.
  2. Complete Admission requirements
    If you are eligible, you must complete specific course prerequisites to gain admission.
  3. Orientation
    Get introduced to the Elevate team, the learning platform and get additional info on your course.
  4. Build Foundational Power Skills
    Develop essential ‘power’ skills such as effective communication, growth mindset and navigating uncertainty.
  5. Technical Training
    Develop your technical skills through 4-6 weeks of technical training, tackling the fundamental and practical skills you will need to thrive in a career in tech.
  6. Job Readiness Training and Support
    Success Advisors will provide you with 1X1 support through your job search and access to network with hiring managers in tech.
  7. Elevate Talent Job Board
    Get access to exclusive job links to influential organizations in tech.

Meet Our Team

Driven by Talent. Powered by Diversity.

Elevate Talent is run by a dedicated team of diverse professionals who reflect the communities the program supports.

Kevin Barton
Senior Vice President
Dan Waldie
Director of Product
Fareed Virk
Director of Strategy
Eugenia Ochoa
Community Engagement Manager
Jonea Agwa
Salesforce & IT Administrator
Emilie Estrada
Graphic Designer
Helena Bandayrel
Success Advisor
Katlego Mokoma
Coordinator, Programs and Facilitation
Mark Dunn
Customer Success Advisor
Tobie Pilloy
Senior Manager - Program Design and Development
Tristen Schneider
Indigenous Community Engagement Manager
Nafisatu Bukari
Intake & Community Engagement Advisor
Tiye Walcott
Brand Marketing Manager
Kaydian Plummer
Success Advisor
Ophelia Barnes
Coordinator of Programs and Facilitation
Chanelle Linton
Manager, Employment Engagement and Talent Placement
Amarachi Onuorah
Intern, Partnership Coordination
Winnifred Atimango
Intern, Partnership Coordination
Gregory Reinoso
Intern, Business Technology Program Design
Ricky Dang
Intern, Business Technology Program Design
Rida Rizwan
Manager, Program Operations

Our Equity Commitment

Our Participants

Specialized programming catered to and Indigenous communities

Our Team

Our team represents the people we serve. In our efforts to build internal, external and organizational diversity, we have committed to the Government of Canada’s 50-30 Challenge to improve access for women and non-binary people, as well as other equity-deserving groups.

Our Partners

We collaborate with community partners, training institutes and employers from Canada’s tech and business sectors in a pledge to support, train and hire talent from underrepresented communities and equity-deserving groups.