Interested in Applying for Cohort 3 in January 2026?

CANADA

Program Team

Chantelle Ashley

Chantelle is the Manager of International Programs at Empowerment Squared, where she oversees partnerships and ensures impactful community programs in Canada and West Africa. With her expertise in program management and her passion for people, Chantelle is dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Outside of work, she loves exploring new places with her camera, painting, and embarking on outdoor adventures with her kids.

As part of the program, Chantelle is here to provide guidance on program activities, timelines, and resources to help you succeed. Don’t hesitate to reach out to her for support along the way!

Johannah Abcede

As Coordinator of International Programs at Empowerment Squared, Johannah supports the organization’s global initiatives by coordinating key program activities, assisting with collaboration between local and international teams, and ensuring smooth operations for interns and partners.

A McMaster University graduate (Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Economics), Johannah has worked as a Content Creator for the McMaster Student Success Centre and served as Marketing Lead for Firefly Spark, a Toronto-based social app. These experiences allowed her to develop skills in digital marketing, event planning, and youth engagement.

Outside of work, Johannah enjoys baking and spending quality time with friends and family, whether that’s exploring new activities or simply relaxing together.

Mahmoud Mouselli

Mahmoud is the Coordinator of the International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) at McMaster University, with over 18 years of experience in education program design, management, and evaluation. He has led large-scale education initiatives for thousands of students and coordinated key institutional agreements, bringing invaluable expertise to IYIP.

Mahmoud is the go-to for day-to-day program coordination, answering questions, and ensuring the internship experience runs smoothly.

Barbara Anie

Barbara is the President of Schools of Dreams, the Canadian registered charity providing direct support to Team Sankofa in Nsawam, Ghana. She works tirelessly to support all aspects of the charity and has been a key volunteer in many capacities since the organization’s inception.

Barbara enjoys volunteering and giving back to the community. She is an active member of the Ghana Association of Hamilton and also sits on the charity boards of Toronto Botanical Gardens and West Park Foundation. She has also volunteered for Torstar’s Santa Claus fund, Becel Ride for Heart’s charity bike ride and participated as a run coach for Bob Kemp Hospice’s virtual hike for hospice. She also sits as an independent Director for GreenFirst Forest Products. She is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Intern Mentors

Members of McMaster University's African Caribbean Faculty Association of McMaster (ACFAM) provide mentorship to IYIP interns to support them toward achieving their professional and personal goals. View the mentors' bios at the links below:

Vice-Provost (International Affairs), Office of International Affairs

Professor, Department of Biology

Associate Professor, Department of Health, Aging & Society

Associate Professor, Faculty of Humanities

Associate Professor, Human Resources & Management

Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Assistant Professor, Materials Science & Engineering

Associate Professor, Communication Studies & Multimedia

Associate Professor, Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact

Partner Organizations

Empowerment Squared

Empowerment Squared is a thriving and dynamic family of program participants, staff, volunteers, partners, and community members who are working together to build a better world. One where everyone is empowered with the tools and opportunities to thrive and contribute to society. We do this by empowering newcomer, racialized, and marginalized communities in Canada and across the world to succeed through mentorship, access to post-secondary education, professional skills development and entrepreneurship, and sports and recreation.

Based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, we work primarily in Southwestern Ontario and West Africa.

McMaster University

McMaster University is a leading Canadian university with a diverse range of academic programs and a vibrant campus community.

Established in 1887, McMaster hosts 37,500 students, including international students from 125 countries.

Our Global Vision is to make global engagement in education and knowledge generation an integral part of the university identity and presence in Canada and the world.

Ranked 30th in the world in the THE’s Education’s University Impact Rankings for 2024.

Social Planning & Research Council

The Social Planning & Research Council (SPRC) Hamilton is an independent voice, serving to inform the community about demographic trends, highlight social inequities, and promote solutions that will improve social conditions. We work in partnership with community members and organizations to provide relevant social research and analysis which helps inform decision making. We provide consultation services to help organizations better understand and analyze their data, and we facilitate community programs which help address existing and emerging needs. Our work is centered around issues related to poverty reduction; housing security, equity and inclusion, and the healthy development of children and families.