STEERING COMMITTEE

CO-CHAIR

Susannah (Sue) Bunce is a Co-Chair of the East Scarborough Storefront’s Steering Committee from 2024-2026. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Geography at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) where she studies and teaches about urban neighbourhood and communities. She also grew up in the Kingston-Morningside area of West Hill where her parents still live. She is a proud graduate of Cedarbrae C.I. Susannah is a long-time supporter of the Storefront.  In 2008, she launched a community-based course through the City Studies program at UTSC in the Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park (KGO) neighbourhood. The course matched UTSC students with community organizations in KGO, such as the Storefront, the East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club, and the KGO Adult Literacy Program. Susannah has also previously served as a Storefront Steering Committee member.  In her spare time, she enjoys walking her dog along Lake Ontario, learning how to play the cello (a mid-life hobby), and perfecting Zumba moves!

CO-CHAIR

Phylicia Davis-Wesseling (she/her) is the Co-Chair of the East Scarborough Storefront's Steering Committee; having been in the role since 2023. Currently, she is the Community Relations Officer at Toronto Foundation where she is responsible for bridging and strengthening the relationships between the Foundation and neighborhoods across Toronto in addition to developing and administering the Foundation's granting opportunities. Phylicia is a long time resident of Scarborough having grown up and lived in Scarborough Village, Malvern, West Hill, Woburn and now resides with her family in West Rouge. Phylicia is an advocate of The Storefront and the work they do supporting residents in East Scarborough. She was introduced to the organization in 2012 and with their support helped her launch a grassroots adult literacy program in the neighbourhood. She has worked in the non-profit sector for over ten years and in her spare time, she likes to draw, paint, go for walks around the city, spend time with her family and friends and eat a delicious sweet treat - preferably a cupcake. 

Member

MEMBER

Calyssa (she/her) is a Research Equity Advisor at the University of Waterloo, where she works to embed intersectional equity practices for underrecognized communities and collaborators. She leads and contributes to various strategic projects designed to integrate equity into academic research practices for staff, faculty, and students.

Proudly born and raised in Scarborough, Calyssa has been deeply passionate about the work of the East Scarborough Storefront since engaging with its services in her youth. She is excited to contribute her expertise on the Steering Committee, focusing on community development and equity, while most importantly, learning from her neighbours and serving the community she calls home in East Scarborough.  

Member

Member

Beth Helmers is an artist, producer, and arts administrator specializing in community-engaged arts. Her artistic practice includes theatre, puppetry, installation and public art, and she loves the way making art can bring people together. She is Executive Director of Scarborough Arts, one of the City of Toronto’s six Local Arts Services Organizations, which work to ensure access to the arts outside the downtown core.

Beth also founded Community Arts Guild, a KGO-based non-profit that makes art to build community. They recently presented the Amazing Place festival in KGO with Storefront and many local partners. Beth came to community arts by training and working with Jumblies, and has been a partner of Storefront since 2009; both organizations have deeply influenced and inspired her work in community. She has served on Storefront’s steering committee since 2020, and was Co-Chair from 2021-2024. She’s also a mother, avid reader and gardener, and is inching up to running 10k (one step at a time!)

MEMBER

Irmi is currently Associate Director, Skills, Research and Innovation at Catholic Crosscultural Services. She brings over a decade of experience in community planning and program development, focused on collaborative efforts, shared planning and actions that address needs of newcomers and communities in Scarborough. Irmi holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto and is excited about contributing to the meaningful work of the East Scarborough Storefront as member of the Steering Committee.

Member

Member

Member

Bernard is an accomplished PMP-certified project manager and EDI leader with a strong committment to driving social change in nonprofits. Currently a Project Coordinator at Strides Toronto, he supports the implementation of sector wide improvements to child, youth and young adult mental health services. Bernard fosters inclusive communities and is passionate about creating environments where equity-deserving populations thrive.

He fills his spare time with outdoor activities including hiking, biking, and landscape photography

Member

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