Isorine obtained her Masters Degree in Performing Arts Management in France and has acquired international work experience in arts organizations such as The Paris Conservatoire (France), L’École des Sables (Toubab Dialaw, Senegal), Le Centre National Chorégraphique Mathilde Monnier (France), Ausdance Queensland (Brisbane, Australia), and fFIDA-TIDF 06 (Toronto).

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Isorine was CORPUS' Artistic Producer from 2006 to 2018 and founded Jamii in 2011. The Esplanade neighbourhood is Isorine's home since 2006 and she is a passionate advocate for her community.

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May is an events and project professional with a decade of experience in the arts and event industry. A proud Torontonian, they are excited to implement creative, impactful collaborative projects with The Esplanade community since joining Jamii in January 2024. Born in Malaysia, they have a BFA in Music from York University and an Event & Meeting Management Certificate from George Brown College. They are currently pursuing an MBA in Sustainable Commerce. 

When May is not crunching spreadsheets, they do vocal improvisation under the moniker DawnRosa. You may have seen them featured on a TTC billboard!

Maria is a Colombian journalist with more than 10 years of experience in media, public relations, and project management.
 

She became an Arts Manager at Centennial College in 2023, and before becoming Jamii’s Implementer in September 2023, she had the opportunity to work for Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, reinforcing her passion for film and culture.
 

She believes in the power of communication and teamwork to achieve seemingly impossible goals.

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Maryam has a Bachelors in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University.

Maryam previously worked in public service, most recently at the City of Toronto where she focused on shelter and supportive housing policy.

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A newcomer to Canada and resident of the Esplanade since 2019, she was introduced to Jamii through attending sewing workshops and has since found a home in Jamii. As Jamii's Nurturer in 2023 (April to December), she created a welcoming experience for all through a focus on community engaged arts.

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Nadifa received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Health Studies from the University of Toronto.  Since being introduced to Jamii in 2017, she has been invested in our community as a volunteer, summer student, board member and a Nurturer from April 2022 to April 2023. Through her Nurturer role, she became a supportive figure to the girls and women of The Esplanade by providing them with opportunities to foster their leadership skills through the arts. During Nadifa's term, the Nurturer position at Jamii was supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Iris has been working in marketing for a decade, in both Turkey and Canada. Before discovering her passion for creating ideas that have a profound influence on people, Iris completed her Bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering in Turkey and later received a diploma from Sheridan College in Advertising and Marketing Communications in Canada. Iris was thrilled to get an opportunity to engage in community-based work when she joined Jamii in 2021 as a Graphic Designer and became Jamii’s Amplifier in May 2022. Iris is excited to continue engaging with the Esplanade, especially as she has been a proud Esplanadian since 2020.

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Born and raised in Iran, Kiana has a background in architecture, urban planning, and international development. She has worked with various research and non-profit organizations in different capacities. She joined Jamii in 2024 to combine her multitude of passions and help nurture The Esplanade community. When not at Jamii, Kiana throws clay and practices pottery to turn her memories into ceramic pieces.

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Tameem is a first generation Lebanese Canadian. She's lived many lives starting her career with an Engineering and MBA degree, working in management consulting, moving to Kenya to help start a solar company, breaking into the IT scene, starting a few small businesses and eventually landing her in a more artistic and creative industry.  As Jamii's Arborist from 2022 to 2023, she took care of Jamii's environment and culture, and made sure that the way Jamii engages with artists and the community aligns with Jamii's mission and values.

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Afnan was born in The Esplanade. She has a long-lasting relationship with Jamii as she has been a part of a few of Jamii’s projects growing up.  She has also previously worked with Jamii as a Summer Student Coordinator back in 2020 and since 2022. Lastly, she became one of Jamii’s Connectors and created a more deep-rooted relationship between people in The Esplanade community and Jamii. Afnan is currently studying Project Management at George Brown College, after graduating she hopes on obtaining a PMP Certification.

Though Afnan is not part of Jamii's Leadership Team as of January 2024, she continues to be involved in events management.

Maysam is a settler with Palestinian and Syrian roots, who was born and raised in Tkaronto in The Esplanade community. She is a graduate with a degree in Global Development Studies and  Bachelor of Education with specializations in First Nations, Metis and Inuit studies, and History from Queen’s University. Maysam is an educator, a published emerging poet, and community organizer. Maysam has been involved in Jamii since 2011, as a participant, youth volunteer, artist, Summer project coordinator, and as Jamii’s first ever Enhancer in 2022.

Yusra Yacout is born and raised in the Esplanade community. Yusra Supports Jamii's administrative operations and is a certified Law Clerk. She also has a bachelor of Arts from Ryerson university in child and Youth care.

Yusra has a wide experience ingrained in the community. Through the years, she has been a Project Coordinator with Jamii (Summer 2019), a children’s program leader with Kiwanis boats and girls (2017-2018), a caseworker with Aspire Muslim food bank, and early childhood assistant with the St Lawrence Daycare.

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Omelette was raised in The Esplanade neighbourhood where her natural talent for loudness led her to a passion for barketing. Omelette studied wolves via distance education (internet videos) to get an advanced degree in Howling Honours. Omelette joined Jamii as a Barker in 2023 where she lends her artistic noise to attract the community to Jamii events and The Jamii Hub. Although she volunteers at Jamii, Omelette is a working breed, which means  community members can ask her to show them a trick anytime when they see her.

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Sarah is an arts programmer with a background in urban policy and design.

Sarah has worked internationally in affordable housing delivery, urban revitalization, and innovative community engagement. Working in diverse geographies and contexts led Sarah to appreciate art as a medium to activate relationships within and across communities. Her experience includes project conceptualization, partnership building, and mentorship. As Jamii's Activator from September 2023 to January 2024, she activated new ideas at the Jamii Hub and the wider Esplanade Community. Sarah holds an MSc in Building and Urban Design for Development from the University College of London, U.K. and a Bachelor of Arts in Growth and Structure of Cities from Bryn Mawr College, U.S.A.

Jonelle is a Canadian Soprano and joined Jamii from the Fall of 2022 to November 2023 as a Connector, thanks to the support of the Metcalf Foundation's Performing Arts Internship Program. Jonelle was named one of York University’s top 30 alumni under 30 for 2022 and in 2020 was one of CBC Music’s classical “30 under 30” performers and is a 2019 Dora award winner for “Outstanding performance of an Ensemble” in Vivier’s Kopernikus with Against the Grain Theatre. Jonelle believes that her work in opera can have a social and cultural impact.