"Karen came highly recommended as a strong subject matter expert, with a great personality and a flexible, customized approach. All true!!!" Esperanza Monsalve, YMCA of Greater Toronto

"Karen came to YMCA highly recommended as a strong subject matter expert with a great personality and a flexible, customized approach. I am so pleased to say that this was very true of YMCA Canada's experience with her. This was particularly great as not all subject matter experts are able to adapt successfully in the context of a youth-led approach, which is central to YMCA.

Karen provided relevant ideas and resources on SDG 5 to our Youth-led planning committee, she co-designed a session for our Youth Advisors and she delivered a powerful Keynote address that introduced approx 140 Canadian and Newcomer Youth (14-19yrs) to the SDG 5 goals. Her session helped them understand gender equality in a tangible way, why this issue is important and how they as youth can do something about gender inequality in their homes, schools and communities. As a result of her opening session, the youth participants were invested in the conversations and sessions that followed and  they were able to reflect, engage and take away a lot of substantive content from the conference. 

We were very pleased to have worked with Karen on this year's Youth conference and hope we have the opportunity to collaborate again in the future."

Esperanza Monsalve,
Manager of International Programs,
YMCA Greater Toronto (2017)